Glossary
Your Comprehensive Guide to HVAC and Plumbing Terms
Navigate the complexities of heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), and plumbing with ease. This glossary is designed to demystify industry terminology, ensuring you're informed and confident when discussing, researching, or making decisions about your home's systems.
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AC (Air Conditioning)ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America)Access ClearanceActivation Flow RateAFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency)Air BalancingAir BarrierAir Exchange RateAir FilterAir HandlerAir PurifierAir Quality TestingAir SealingAir VentAirflowAluminum AnodeAmbient TemperatureAmperage DrawAnnual MaintenanceAnode RodANSI (American National Standards Institute)ANSI (American National Standards Institute)Anti-Scald DevicesAntifreeze SolutionApp CompatibilityAquastatASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers)ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers)Atmospheric VentAuthorized Service ProviderBackflow PreventerBACnet (Building Automation and Control Networks)BaffleBall ValveBiomass HeatingBlowerBlower MotorBMS (Building Management System)BoilerBPI (Building Performance Institute)Brazing ConnectionsBTU (British Thermal Unit)BTU (British Thermal Unit)Burner AssemblyCapCapacitorCapacityCarbon FilterCarbon FootprintCarbon Monoxide DetectorCarbon NeutralCAV (Constant Air Volume)Central Air SystemCentralized Water HeatingCFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons)CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute)Check ValveChillerCircuit BreakerCircuit Breaker SizeCirculation PumpCirculation ValveClaim ProcedureCleanroomClimate ZoneClosed Loop SystemCO2 EmissionsCollector EfficiencyCommissioningComparison ShoppingCompressorCondensate DrainCondensate PumpCondenser CoilCondenser Fan MotorCondensing Water HeaterConsumer ReviewsContactorCooling CapacityCooling LoadCooling TowerCOP (Coefficient of Performance)Copper TubingCorrosion ResistanceCost of OwnershipCouplerCPVC PipeCrankcase HeaterCustomer SupportData Center CoolingDate of ManufactureDecibelDecommissioningDefrost CycleDehumidifierDemand Controlled Ventilation (DCV)Demand ResponseDemand Water HeaterDew PointDiagnostic CodesDifferential Temperature ControllerDiffuserDip TubeDirect Circulation SystemDirect Expansion (DX) SystemDirect VentDischarge LineDischarge PipeDisplacement VentilationDraft DiverterDrain LineDrain PanDrain ValveDrainback SystemDuct Blaster TestDuct CleaningDuct InsulationDuct LeakageDuct SealingDuctless Mini-SplitDuctworkEarthquake StrappingECM (Electronically Commutated Motor)EconomizerEER (Energy Efficiency Ratio)Efficiency ImprovementEfficiency RatingElbow FittingElectric Water HeaterElectrical RequirementsElectronic Control BoardElectronic IgnitionEnergy AuditEnergy Conservation Measure (ECM)Energy ConsumptionEnergy Cut-off Switch (ECO)Energy EfficiencyEnergy Factor (EF)Energy Guide LabelEnergy Recovery SystemEnergy StarERV (Energy Recovery Ventilator)Evaporative CoolingEvaporator CoilExfiltrationExpansion ValveFan Coil Unit (FCU)Filter DrierFiltrationFire DamperFire ResistanceFiring RateFirmware UpdateFirst Hour Rating (FHR)Flame SensorFlammable Vapor Ignition Resistance (FVIR)FlangeFlexible ConnectorFlow Control ValveFlow Rate AdjustmentFlow RestrictorFlow SensorFlueFlue PipeForced Air SystemFormaldehydeFree CoolingFreeze ProtectionFreon (Refrigerant)Fresh Air IntakeFurnaceFusesGallons Per Minute (GPM)Galvanized PipeGas Burner Control ModuleGas Control ValveGas Line SizeGas Supply LineGas ValveGas Water HeaterGate ValveGeothermal EnergyGeothermal Heat PumpGFCI ProtectionGreen BuildingGreen Building ComplianceGrilleHard Water CompatibilityHCFCs (Hydrochlorofluorocarbons)HCFCs (Hydrochlorofluorocarbons)Heat ExchangerHeat Exchanger CoilHeat GainHeat Island EffectHeat LossHeat PumpHeat Pump Water HeaterHeat TrapHeat Trap NipplesHeating CapacityHeating CycleHeating ElementHEPA Filter (High Efficiency Particulate Air)HFCs (Hydrofluorocarbons)High Efficiency ModelsHigh Limit SwitchHRV (Heat Recovery Ventilator)HumidifierHVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning)HVAC ControlsHVAC EfficiencyHVACR (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration)Hybrid Water HeaterHydronic HeatingIAQ (Indoor Air Quality)IAQ GuidelinesIAQA (Indoor Air Quality Association)IgniterIgnition BarrierIgnition ModuleIgnition SystemImmersion HeaterImpellerIncentive ProgramsIndirect Circulation SystemIndoor Air Quality (IAQ)Indoor UnitIndustry RatingsInfiltrationInlet Filter ScreenInlet Water Shut-offInnovative FeaturesInstallation DateInstallation GuideInstallation RequirementsInstantaneous Water HeatingInsulationInsulation JacketsInverter CompressorIsolation ValvesJet PumpKilowatt (kW)Kilowatt-hour (kWh)Kinked Line SetKNX (Konnex)Lead RemovalLeak Detection SystemLEED Certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)LEV (Low Emission Vehicle)Lifecycle AssessmentLifespanLime ScaleLine SetLiquid LineLiquid ReceiverLoad CalculationLocal OrdinancesLonWorksLow NOx EmitterMagnesium AnodeMaintenance AlertMaintenance TipsMake-up AirManifoldManual DManual JManual ResetManual SManufacturerManufacturer SupportMarket TrendsMechanical VentilationMERV Rating (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value)Mini-Split SystemMinimum Flow RateMixed AirMixing ValveModbusModel NumberModulating ValveMold RemediationNATE Certification (North American Technician Excellence)Natural VentilationNegative PressureNet Zero Energy BuildingNippleNoise LevelNon-Condensing Water HeatersO-RingOpen Loop SystemOperating CostsOperational Status IndicatorOrificeOutdoor UnitOutlet Temperature SensorOverheat ProtectionP-TrapPackage UnitParticulate MatterPassive Solar HeatingPayback PeriodPerformance EnhancementPest ManagementPEX PipingPhotovoltaic SystemPiezo IgniterPilot AssemblyPilot LightPlate Heat ExchangerPlenumPlenum SpacePlumbing Code CompliancePoint of Entry SystemPoint-of-Use HeaterPower AnodePower SupplyPower VentPressure Reducing ValvePressure Relief ValvePressure TestPreventive MaintenanceProgrammable ControlsProgrammable ThermostatPsychrometric ChartPurchase OptionsPurgingPVC PipeQuick ConnectQuiet ModeR-22 RefrigerantR-410A RefrigerantR-ValueRadiant BarrierRadiant HeatingRadiatorRefrigerantReturn AirSEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio)SEER RatingSEER2Smart ThermostatStatic PressureThermal Expansion TankThermostatTXV (Thermostatic Expansion Valve)Upflow FurnaceUV LightVariable Speed BlowerVariable-Speed MotorVentilationVRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow)Water HeaterWet-Bulb TemperatureX-13 ECM MotorXR (Extra Refrigerant Charge)Y-Stage (Cooling Stage)Yield (System Output)Zone DamperZoning System
HVAC Term of the Day
Enhance your HVAC knowledge one day at a time with our Term of the Day. Dive into a new concept daily and discover the intricacies of your home's systems.
Today's Term Is:Liquid Receiver
Definition
A storage vessel that holds excess liquid refrigerant in a system.
Real-World Application
Supports stable refrigerant supply in HVAC and refrigeration systems.
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