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AC Overcool
Uses the condensing unit to reduce humidity by cooling your building beyond the desired temperature until the desired humidity level is reached in your home or business
Advanced Reciprocating Compressor
Type of compressor that uses a more efficient process for compressing refrigerant for better cooling efficiency
AFUE
Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. Indicated as a percentage, your furnace’s AFUE tells you how much energy is being converted to heat. For example, an AFUE of 90 means that 90% of the fuel is being used to warm your home, while the other 10% escapes as exhaust with the combustion gases.
Air circulation systems
Fresh air ventilation is required to meet building codes for new construction or to obtain energy tax credits.
Air Conditioner Cover
Air conditioner is fully protected from harsh weather, flying debris, moisture build up and damaging condensation without trapping condensation.
Air Filtration and Purification
Cleans and purifies the air by removing allergens, odors, bacteria, viruses, dust, pollutants, fungus, and other airborne contaminates.
Air Handler
The portion of your air conditioner or heating system that forces air through your home’s ductwork.
Auto change
Also called Auto Mode, Allows the thermostat to switch from Heat to Cool or Cool to Heat automatically.
BTU
British Thermal Unit. Used for both heating and cooling, BTU is a measure of the heat given off when fuel is combusted. Or for cooling, it’s a measure of heat extracted from your home. (One BTU is approximately equal to the heat given off by a wooden kitchen match.)
Backplate
This wall plate covers most marks, holes, uneven paint or wallpaper issues left by other thermostats.
Baseboard Units
Offered in a variety of designs to accommodate the building for hot water or steam boilers, consists of panels, damper, element, and element brackets.
Beckett Burner
A burner assembly within your oil furnace. This burner provides good combustion of heating oil.
BTUH
A British Thermal Unit (BTU) is the unit of heat required to raise 1 pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit. BTUH is British Thermal Units per Hour.
Bypass Humidifiers
Offered in a traditional flow through or water saving model, traditionally can be used in buildings up to 4,000 square feet. These models can be mounted on either the warm air supply or return air side of any forced air furnace. The traditional flow through model would need access to a floor drain, while the water saving model does not.
C-Wire
“Common” wire, enables 24 VAC power to the thermostat continuously.
Carbon Monoxide
A colorless, odorless, highly poisonous gas produced when carbon-based fuels, such as natural gas, burns without sufficient air nearby.
Capacity
The ability of a heating or cooling system to heat or cool a given amount of space. For heating, this is usually expressed in BTUs. For cooling, it is usually given in tons.
CFM
Stands for Cubic Feet per Minute. A measurement of airflow that indicates how many cubic feet of air pass by a stationary point in one minute. The higher the number, the more air is being forced through the system.
Combination Boiler
Available with variable speed equipment, communicating controllers allow the owner to be the most comfortable.
Communicating Controller Thermostat
Traditional boilers and combination boiler share the same task of heating your home by going through your system to radiators or radiant floor systems where it provides heat to warm the air.
Compressor
Part of a split-system heat pump or air conditioner’s outdoor unit that controls the pressure applied to the refrigerant, necessary for taking in heat to warm your home with a heat pump or getting rid of heat to keep your home cool.
Concentric Vent Kit
Simplify installation and only require one hole through the wall or roof where the pipes terminate. Without using these vents, the installation would require cutting two holes through the home, one for each pipe. These vents save time and money by reducing the amount of work required.
Condensate Neutralizer Kit
For natural gas or propane furnaces and boilers, this kit is used to raise the pH of the condensate to make it less acidic and create less harm to the environment and sewer system
Condensate Pump
Removes condensation by way of a pump
Condensate Freeze Kit
Freeze tape, designed to protect high-efficiency furnace condensate drain trap from freezing when the furnace is installed in an area where temperatures may be below 32°F.
Condenser Coil
Part of the outdoor portion of a split-system air conditioner or heat pump. By converting refrigerant that is in a gas form back to a liquid, the coil sends heat carried by the refrigerant to the outside.
Damper
A type of “valve” used in duct work that opens or closes to control airflow. Used in zoning to control the amount of warm or cool air entering certain areas of your home.
Damper Control Module
Intuitive prompts let you program everything from humidity levels to fan speeds, giving you the ultimate control over your home comfort.
DB
Decibels (dB) are a unit measuring the intensity of noise.
Dehumidifier
Unit optimized for removing humidity at a much higher rate than Air Conditioner
Dimmer Switch
allows for remote control of dimmer to adjust levels to your comfort.
Direct Digital Control (DDS)
The automated control of a condition or process by a digital device (computer). DDC takes a centralized network-oriented approach. All instrumentation is gathered by various analog and digital converters which use the network to transport these signals to the central controller. The centralized computer then follows all of its production rules (which may incorporate sense points anywhere in the structure) and causes actions to be sent via the same network to valves, actuators, and other HVAC components that can be adjusted.
Door Contact Sensor
Sensor that detects unauthorized access, alarms and sends notification.
Door Lock
Control your doors are locked with one touch on your security panel, smart phone or tablet from anywhere in your home.
Door Window Sensors
Sensor that detects problem, alarms and sends you notification.
Doorbell Camera
View from smart device, detects unauthorized access, alarms and sends notification along with video.
Downflow
A type of furnace that takes cool air from the top and blows warm air to the bottom-commonly used where furnaces must be located in a second-floor closet or utility area.
Downflow Conversion Kit
Used to modify air handler units for use in downflow applications.
Drain Pan
Helps prevent damaged from runoff and leaks, lining is corrosion resistant.
Duct Free
Also referred to as ductless mini split systems or duct free systems. Unlike central air conditioning and heating systems, these units do not require ducting to treat the air. They can be used in residential and light commercial applications.
Duct Smoke Detectors
National and local safety standards, and codes recognize the ability of air duct systems to transfer smoke, toxic gases, and flame from area to area. Sometimes the amount of smoke can be so high, it can be harmful or fatal unless blowers are shut down and dampers are actuated. The primary purpose of duct smoke detection is to prevent injury, panic and property damage by reducing the spread (re-circulation) of smoke. Duct smoke detection can also serve to protect the air conditioning system itself from fire and smoke damage, and can be used to assist in equipment protection applications.
Ductwork
Hollow pipes used to transfer air from the Air Handler to the air vents throughout your home. Ductwork is one of the most important components of a home heating and cooling system.
Dual Fuel Capable
When a gas furnace and Heat Pump are used in a building. Allows the furnace to take over heating when the heat pump is inefficient.
Easy Level Furnace Legs
Better than brick blocks, used to level furnace on floor.
Economizer
A duct and damper arrangement, and automatic control system that, together, allow a cooling system to supply outdoor air to reduce or eliminate the Return Relief Air to reduce or eliminate the need for mechanical cooling during mild or cold weather.
EER
Energy Efficiency Ratings (EER) measure the efficiency with which a product uses energy to function. It is calculated by dividing a product’s BTU output by its wattage.
Electronic Air Cleaner (EAC)
An electronic device that filters out large particles and contaminants in indoor air. It then electronically pulls out tiny particles that have been magnetized, such as viruses and bacteria, drawing them to a collector plate.
Electric Furnace
Available as an all-electric furnace or an air handler with electric strips paired with a heat pump. These models can come with Variable Speed operation and paired with a heat pump can provide maximum comfort throughout the year.
Electric Heater
Used by Electric furnace to provide necessary heat when needed due to outside temperatures.
Energy Saver Switch
An energy-saver switch causes the air conditioner’s fan and compressor to cycle on and off together, reducing energy use.
Energy Star
Energy Star is a government-backed program helping businesses and individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. Products with the Energy Star rating will be efficient and save cost on energy bills.
Energy Star Qualified
Required to work as a basic thermostat if on-line service is lost, provide information about HVAC energy usage, give residents feedback about energy consequences of changing settings, and provide the owner the ability to schedule or program. By adjusting the temperature down or up by 7-10 degrees from the normal setting owners can save up to 10% on heating and cooling costs.
Enhanced Fan Control
With a communicating controller, allows the user to adjust the continuous fan speed to low, medium, high, or off.
Evaporator Coil
An evaporator coil is the part of an air conditioner or heat pump that absorbs the heat from the air in your house. It is located inside the air handler or attached to the furnace.
Expansion Tank
Designed to accept water as the system temperature rises to reduce the amount of pressure built up.
Exhaust Fans
Exhaust fans play a major role in air quality and temperature controls for residential, commercial and industrial applications. They work by drawing stale air out of homes and buildings to be replaced with fresh, outdoor air to meet HV.
Fan Coil
An indoor component of an air conditioner or heat pump system, used in place of a furnace and evaporator coil, to provide change the refrigerant from a gas to a liquid (or vice-versa) and blow air over the coil to cool or heat your home.
Fire Tube Boilers
Fire tube boilers confine the combustion process and gases in tubes and water circulates around these tubes.
Furnaces
Flue Liner, depending on model and fuel type, used to vent exhaust gases outdoors with roof cap
Garage Door Sensor
Sensor that detects unauthorized access, alarms and sends notification
Garage Heater
Easy, reliable way to make your garage more usable and comfortable.
Gas Logs
Line includes a variety of sizes and styles of vented gas fire products designed for externally vented fireplaces (chimneys).
Gas Furnace
With AFUE Ratings up to 98.3% and a model with modulating gas valves and a variable speed fan, gas furnaces provide dependable heat and can be paired with a heat pump or an air conditioner to provide maximum comfort throughout the year.
Geothermal
Geothermal heating and cooling systems tap into the Earth’s surface to use thermal energy found underground, or in a pond or well water. Geothermal heat pumps are able to maintain very high efficiencies on even the coldest winter nights or the hottest summer days, to save energy and money.
Glass Break Sensor
Sensor that detects broken glass, alarms and sends notification
Guard
Covers thermostat to provide protection, ultra violet resistant, and can be equipped with key to prevent tempering.
Hard Start Kit
An energy-storing capacitor that helps your AC start when it’s struggling to turn on.
Heat Exchanger
The part of a furnace that transfers heat to nearby air.
Heat Pump
A product that works just like an air conditioner in cooling mode; however, in heating mode, the refrigerant flow is reversed and heat is extrated from the outside air too heat your home.
High and Low Pressure Switches
Safeties installed on units to protect the unit, compressor, and anyone working on the unit
Horizontal Flow
A type of furnace, installed on its “side”, that draws in air from one side, heats it and sends the warm air out the other side. Most often used for installations in attics or crawl spaces
Home Automation
Monitor and control aspects of your home from virtually anywhere.
HSPF
The Heating Seasonal Performance Factor is a measure of the heating efficiency of a heat pump. The higher the HSPF number, the more efficiently the heat pump heats your home.
HSPF
The Heating Seasonal Performance Factor is a measure of the heating efficiency of a heat pump. The higher the HSPF number, the more efficiently the heat pump heats your home.
Hot Water Boiler
Use a series of pumps to circulate heated water through the building and into the radiators.
HVAC
Term used for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
Hybrid Heat
Hybrid Heat systems deliver exceptional performance by using a heating source that provides the most energy-efficient comfort during moderate heating conditions.
Indoor and Outdoor Camera
View from smart device, detects unauthorized access, alarms and sends notification along with video.
Indoor Coil
see Evaporator Coil
Infrared Heater
Most infrared heaters are fueled using propane or natural gas, and sometimes oil. The hot temperatures generated by burning fuel inside the unit, heat either a steel tube (tube heater) or ceramic surface (luminous heater) within the heater. The heat from this surface is then emitted in the form of infrared radiant energy. Reflectors direct the infrared radiant energy downward to ultimately warm the floor and objects below it.
Installation Kit
Used to properly install unit, depending on installation requirements.
Ionizer
Is a device that uses high voltage to ionize (electrically charge) air molecules. Negative ions, or anions, are particles with one or more extra electron, conferring a net negative charge to the particle.
Key Fob
Uncomplicated, portable means to arm and disarm your security system.
Light and Appliance Modules
This switch enables you to wirelessly control to turn lights and appliances on and off, schedule a timed event or create a custom scene from anywhere in the world, at any time of the day.
Line Set
The lineset is made of copper piping that carries refrigerant from the condenser outside to the evaporator coil inside, then back again. It consists of a smaller liquid line for high-pressure liquid refrigerant, and a larger suction line for hot, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant.
Line Set Cover
Protects the line set from damage by Ultraviolet light, weather, and other sources.
Liquid Propane Conversion Kit
Used to convert furnace set for Natural Gas to LP.
Liquid Propane Furnace
See Gas Furnace
Load Estimate
A series of studies performed to determine the heating or cooling requirements of your home. An energy load analysis uses information such as the square footage of your home, window or door areas, insulation quality and local climate to determine the heating and cooling capacity needed by your furnace, heat pump or air conditioner. When referring to heating, this is often known as a Heat Loss Analysis, since a home’s heating requirements are determined by the amount of heat lost through the roof, entry ways and walls.
Low Boy
Low Boy is a type of furnace configuration in which the furnace is lower in height and occupies more floor space.
Makeup Air Units
Makeup air units are often added to introduce fresh air into the zones.
Matched System
A heating and cooling system comprised of products that have been certified to perform at promised comfort and efficiency levels when used together, and used according to design and engineering specifications.
MERV
The Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value is the standard comparison of the efficiency of an air filter. The MERV scale ranges from 1 (least efficient) to 16 (most efficient), and measures a filter’s ability remove particles from 3 to 10 microns in size.
Motion Sensor
Sensor that can be programmed to recognize unauthorized access, can be programmed to ignore pets. Alarms and sends notification
Natural Gas Furnace
See Gas Furnace
Non-Programmable Thermostat
Non-Programmable thermostats can be mechanical or digital. To adjust the temperature or change from heating to cooling the owner would walk directly to the thermostat to make changes.
Oil Furnace
With AFUE ratings up to 86.6% efficiency, and some other models offer variable speed operation. Oil furnaces provide dependable heat and can be paired with a heat pump or an air conditioner to provide maximum comfort throughout the year.
On Demand Tankless Water Heater
Instead of slowly heating water in a tank and keeping the water in the tank hot, a tankless water heater only heats water that is needed and does so very quickly. Most tankless water heaters produced today are high-efficiency, direct-vent, power vent units.
Operating Cost
The day-to-day cost of running your home comfort equipment, based on energy use.
Outdoor Coil
see Condenser Coil
Outdoor Air temperature Sensor
On select models of thermostats and zoning systems, provides outdoor air temperature information for the control system and the owner as well.
Packaged rooftop units
Package unit is set apart from a split system, which is the common type of air conditioner/heat pump found in houses. A split system has an outdoor cabinet and an indoor cabinet with different sets of components. The outdoor cabinet has a compressor, fan, and a condenser coil; the indoor cabinet has a blower, dampers, air handler, and evaporator coil, and hooks into the ventilation system.
Pad
Concrete or plastic, designed to keep outdoor unit off the ground and level.
Payback Analysis
Overall measure of the efficiency and value of your home comfort system. By combining your purchase price and ongoing operating costs, a payback analysis determines the number of years required before monthly energy savings offset the purchase price.
Powered Humidifier Thermostat
Uses a built-in fan which pulls in heated air directly from the furnace through the humidifier and can be used in buildings up to 4,200 square feet. These models work better than bypass humidifiers in tight quarters and are more efficient at adding humidity to the heated air. Powered humidifiers also work better with multi stage furnaces.
Programmable Thermostat
Allows the user to schedule the thermostat to maximize home comfort and save money on utilities.
Puron Refrigerant
Puron® Refrigerant is an environmentally sound refrigerant designed not to harm the earth’s ozone layer. Federal law requires that all manufacturers phase out ozone depleting refrigerants in the next few years. Puron Refrigerant is approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency as a replacement from Freon 22*.
QuieTech
QuieTech™ is a noise reduction system that provides comfortable heat while generating very little noise in the process.
R-22 refrigerant
R-22 is a single component HCFC refrigerant with low ozone depletion potential. It has long been used in a variety of air-conditioning and refrigeration applications in a variety of markets. Production of R-22 will cease in 2015 per the Montreal Protocol.
Reciprocating Compressor
A type of compressor used in air conditioners that compresses refrigerant by using a type of “piston” action.
Reclaiming
Returning used refrigerant to the manufacturer for disposal or reuse.
Recycling
Removing, cleaning and reusing refrigerant.
Refrigerant Lines
Two copper lines that connect the Condenser (Outdoor) Coil to the Evaporator (Indoor) Coil.
Remote Room Sensor
These super-efficient sensors measure the average temperature in the most frequented rooms, and address hot and cold spots, keeping you either warm or cozy, or cool and relaxed- maximum and versatile comfort at your control.
Riello Burner
A burner assembly within your oil furnace. This burner provides a cleaner, higher quality combustion of heating oil to increase energy efficiency.
Scroll Compressor
A specially designed compressor that works in a circular motion vs. an up and down piston action.
SEER
The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is a measure of the cooling efficiency of your air conditioner or heat pump. The higher the SEER number, the more efficient the system is at converting electricity into cooling power.
Self-Programming Thermostat
Certain models learn what temperature you like and adjusts the schedule automatically
Service Safety Alerts
Depending on the model some thermostats have the ability to notify you via your smart device, e-mail, and even send out an alert to your HVAC service provider when your HVAC system might be having an issue. Some examples of alerts are too high of humidity in the building, HVAC system not operational, and too high or too low of a temperature
Setback Thermostat
A state-of-the-art electronic thermostat with a built-in memory that can be programmed for different temperature settings at different times of the day.
Single Package Product
One outdoor unit that contains both a heating and a cooling system.
Sidewall Vent/ Air Termination Kit
Allows for sidewall installation of the vent
Smart Home / Away
Some models of thermostats have an occupancy sensor that detects when someone is home or not. These models have the ability to go into energy saving mode when you are away or to override the energy saving mode to ensure your comfort is met when you are home, regardless of the programming.
SmartRecovery
Smart Recovery starts the system in advance to be sure that each zone reaches your selected temperature setting at the scheduled time.
Smart Speaker Compatible Thermostat
Certain models of thermostats have the ability to be connected to your home automation provider. This allows the owner with proper registration to control the thermostat by voice or within that providers app.
Smoke and CO2 Detector
Sound alarm when they sense a certain amount of carbon monoxide or smoke in the air.
Sound blanket
Reduces compressor noise from air conditioners or heat pumps.
Split System
Refers to an air conditioner or heat pump that has components in two locations. Usually, one part of the system is located inside (evaporator coil) and the other is located outside your home (condenser coil).
Stand
Used to meet safety requirements by rising water heater to an acceptable height for code compliance
Staging Settings
With multi speed HVAC equipment, having the proper thermostat to control the which stage the equipment is necessary. This allows the equipment to run in the lower stage or stages before going into higher stages.
Steam Boiler
Delivers hot steam to radiators and bring back cooled condensation into the boiler system to be reheated.
Steam Humidifier
The most efficient type of whole house humidifier at adding moisture to the building. There are several different types of steam models available. Some models require filtered water and some require a cartridge with electrodes that needs replaced after the heating season.
Storage Tank
A storage water heater installed in a single-family home can hold and provide 20 gallons to 80 gallons of hot water around the clock. Water is continuously heated in the tank even when a hot water tap isn’t running.
Surge Protector
Protect vital and expensive air conditioning system components from out-of-warranty coverage caused by power quality issues, such as brownouts, surges and short cycles with a comprehensive solution.
Thermidistat
The Thermidistat™ Control monitors temperatures both inside and outside, as well as indoor humidity and adjusts system operation to maintain the temperature and humidity levels set by the homeowner.
Thermostat
Unit that monitors and controls your HVAC system products.
Thermostat Maintenance Reminder
Certain models will remind owners to change the filter, ultraviolet light bulb, humidifier pad, and even the ventilator pre-filter
Thermostat Password Protection
Certain models will remind owners to change the filter, ultraviolet light bulb, humidifier pad, and even the ventilator pre-filter
Thermostat Occupancy Sensor
Indoor motion detecting sensor that can detect the presence of a person to automatically control the thermostat to adjust to a temperature preset setting.
Thermostatic Expansion Valve
A thermostatic expansion valve (TXV) is precision device used to meter the flow of liquid refrigerant entering the evaporator at a rate that matches the amount of refrigerant being boiled off in the evaporator.
Ton
A unit of measure for cooling capacity. One ton = 12,000 BTUs per hour.
Total Home Comfort System
The ultimate solution to providing you with consistent, customized home comfort, despite the ever-changing weather.
Touchscreen
With technology improvements in thermostats, most modern digital thermostats come with a touchscreen, similar to that of a smart device.
TrueSense Dirty Filter Detection
TrueSense™ dirty filter detection reminds you when it’s time to change your media filter.
Twinning kit
Used to allow a single thermostat to control two separate HVAC units.
Two Stage Compressor
Two Stage Compressors are capable of two levels of operation, a low stage and a high stage. Properly sized equipment will operate 80% of the time in low stage, enhancing efficiency and comfort with lower humidity levels and quieter operation. It’s like getting two air conditioners or heat pumps in one system.
TXV Valve
A component in refrigeration and air conditioning systems that controls the amount of refrigerant released into the evaporator thereby controlling superheat.
UL
UL is an objective, non-profit organization that tests and rates electrical products for public safety.
Upflow
A type of furnace that draws cool air from the bottom and blows the warmed air out the top into the duct work. This type of furnace is usually installed in a basement or an out-of-the-way closet.
UV lights
Are typically installed in the air handler to kill mold and other forms of bacterial growth. And they are particularly useful in killing mold spores and fungal particles in the evaporator coil.
Vent Damper Kit
Normally electric, these kits save off-cycle losses of heated air.
Vent Kit
Used to properly vent unit depending on installation requirements
Ventilator
A ventilator captures heating or cooling energy from stale indoor air and transfers it to fresh incoming air.
Wall Mount Bracket
Mounts indoor unit in convenient location
Wall Outlets
Control outlet from anywhere in the world
Water Leak and Freeze Detector
Placed by water heater, condensate pump or drains, gives early warning of problem. Audible alarm and depending on model, can be used with a smart device to send notifications of an issue.
Water Shut off Valve
A burst pipe or leaky toilet can seriously mess up your life. Turn off your water automatically when leaks are detected or when you travel out of town.
Water Tube
Water tube boilers have many different tubes inside of it that have water circulating through them.
Wi-Fi Thermostat
Wi-Fi thermostats or smart thermostats give the owner the option to not only program the thermostat but to have it adjust to you as well.
Wind Baffle
Allows condensers to operate in cooling mode all the way down to 0 degrees Fahrenheit by preventing high speed winds from reversing the rotation of the fan.
Zoning
Zoning system for your HVAC sytem is a way to control the temperature for each area, or “zone” in your home, rather than have to heat or cool the whole house to the same temperature. With a zoning system, using dampers, sensor, zoning kits, and controller, you can set temperatures differently for either individual rooms or sections of your home.