Glossary
Explore commonly used HVAC terms.
HVAC terminology can feel like a foreign language. We get it. You just want your home to be comfortable. You shouldn’t need a degree in engineering to understand your estimate. That’s why we built this guide. Below, we’ve broken down common industry terms into plain English. No “sales-speak.” No confusing jargon. Just the facts you need to make the best decision for your home.
What it is: The “Miles Per Gallon” rating for an air conditioner. It measures how much cooling you get for every dollar of electricity you spend.
Why it matters: A low SEER2 means your unit is a “gas guzzler,” forcing you to pay more every month to stay cool.
How We Help: We provide an Efficiency Comparison during every estimate to show you how a higher SEER2 unit can pay for itself in monthly savings.
Pro Tip: If your unit is over 10 years old, it’s likely a 10 or 12 SEER. Upgrading to a 16+ SEER2 can often cut your cooling costs by 30%.
Next Step: Request a Free Replacement Quote
What it is: A percentage showing how much fuel your furnace turns into heat. 80% AFUE means 20% of your energy is lost.
Why it matters: Low efficiency means you are literally burning money that goes right up the chimney.
How We Help: We install high-efficiency systems (95%+ AFUE) that ensure almost every cent you spend on fuel stays inside your home.
Pro Tip: Look for the yellow EnergyGuide sticker on your furnace to find your current rating.
Next Step: Schedule a Heating Efficiency Audit
What it is: A system that slows down or speeds up in tiny increments to keep the temperature steady, rather than just being “Full Speed” or “Off.”
Why it matters: It eliminates loud “clunks” when the AC starts and prevents the temperature from swinging up and down.
How We Help: We specialize in Inverter-Driven systems for homeowners who want the quietest, most energy-efficient comfort available.
Pro Tip: Inverter systems are the best at pulling humidity out of the air because they run longer at lower, gentler speeds.
Next Step: Ask us about Inverter Systems
What it is: A furnace with a “Low” gear for chilly days and a “High” gear for extreme freezes.
Why it matters: It prevents that “blast of hot air” followed by a cold draft, keeping your home at a consistent temperature.
How We Help: We recommend Two-Stage furnaces to eliminate “hot and cold spots” in larger, multi-story homes.
Pro Tip: Two-stage systems are much quieter than standard furnaces because they spend most of their time in the lower, whisper-quiet gear.
Next Step: Compare Furnace Options
What it is: A rating that tells you how “fine” your air filter is. High numbers catch tiny particles like pollen and smoke.
Why it matters: The wrong filter can either leave your air dirty or “choke” your system by blocking too much airflow.
How We Help: We install High-Efficiency Media Racks that catch the “small stuff” without straining your AC’s motor.
Pro Tip: For most homes, a MERV 8 to 11 is the “sweet spot” for clean air and a healthy HVAC system.
Next Step: Order High-Efficiency Filters
What it is: A way to divide your home into sections with separate thermostats for different areas (like upstairs and downstairs).
Why it matters: It ends “Thermostat Wars” and saves money by not cooling or heating empty rooms.
How We Help: We design and install Smart Zoning systems that give you total control over every floor of your home.
Pro Tip: Zoning is the most effective way to fix a bedroom that is always 5 degrees warmer than the rest of the house.
Next Step: Schedule a Zoning Evaluation
What it is: The amount of moisture in your air. Your AC’s job is to act as a giant dehumidifier while it cools.
Why it matters: High humidity makes 72° feel like 80° and can lead to musty smells or mold.
How We Help: We offer Whole-Home Dehumidifiers that work with your AC to pull the “stickiness” out of the air.
Pro Tip: Keeping your indoor humidity between 30% and 50% is the key to preventing dust mites and mold growth.
Next Step: Test Your Home’s Humidity
What it is: A Wi-Fi-connected device that learns your schedule and adjusts the temperature automatically when you leave.
Why it matters: It’s the easiest way to save 10–15% on energy and lets you monitor your home from your phone.
How We Help: We provide full setup and training so you feel confident controlling your comfort from anywhere.
Pro Tip: Many local utility companies offer rebates that can make a smart thermostat nearly free.
Next Step: Upgrade Your Thermostat
What it is: A detailed math formula used to determine exactly what size AC or furnace your specific home needs.
Why it matters: Guessing leads to systems that are too big (which causes mold/humidity) or too small (which never gets cool).
How We Help: We never guess. We perform a Manual J on every new installation to ensure a perfect match for your home.
Pro Tip: If a contractor gives you a quote without measuring your windows and checking your insulation, they are just guessing.
Next Step: Get an Accurate System Sizing
What it is: The math used to design the ductwork so air flows evenly to every room.
Why it matters: If the “map” is wrong, you’ll have noisy vents and rooms that never get enough air.
How We Help: We design ductwork properly for every new install so your system runs quietly and every room stays comfortable.
Pro Tip: Whistling or roaring vents are a sign that your “Air Map” was designed incorrectly.
Next Step: Fix Your Uneven Airflow
What it is: The hidden tunnels that carry air to your rooms. Over time, they can develop “potholes” (leaks and cracks).
Why it matters: Leaky ducts mean you are paying to cool your attic instead of your bedroom.
How We Help: We find and seal leaks to ensure the air you pay for actually reaches your family.
Pro Tip: The average home loses 20% to 30% of its air through leaky ducts. Sealing them is one of the best ROI upgrades you can do.
Next Step: Schedule a Duct Inspection
What it is: The large metal box sitting on your furnace where all the air gathers before heading into the ducts.
Why it matters: A poorly sealed plenum leaks air right at the source, wasting energy before it even starts its journey.
How We Help: We custom-fit and seal every plenum during replacements for maximum pressure and zero leaks.
Pro Tip: If your utility room feels cold when the AC is on, your plenum is likely leaking air.
Next Step: Check Your System for Leaks
What it is: The indoor part of the system that “soaks up” the heat and humidity from your home.
Why it matters: If this “sponge” gets dirty, it can’t soak up heat, leading to warm air and frozen pipes.
How We Help: We deep-clean these coils during our annual maintenance to keep your AC blowing ice-cold.
Pro Tip: A clean coil can improve your system’s efficiency by up to 15%.
Next Step: Book a Coil Cleaning
What it is: The outdoor coil that releases the heat your indoor “sponge” collected.
Why it matters: If it’s covered in dirt or grass, the heat gets trapped and can burn out your motor.
How We Help: We power-wash these coils to clear away debris so your system can “breathe” easily.
Pro Tip: Never wrap your outdoor unit in plastic during the winter; it traps moisture and leads to rust. Use a breathable cover instead.
Next Step: Schedule Outdoor Maintenance
What it is: The chamber in your furnace where the fire burns. It keeps dangerous exhaust out of the air you breathe.
Why it matters: A cracked shield can leak carbon monoxide—a major safety hazard.
How We Help: We use Infrared Cameras to check for tiny cracks during every winter tune-up to keep your family safe.
Pro Tip: Carbon monoxide is odorless. Even with a healthy furnace, you should have a CO detector on every floor.
Next Step: Schedule a Safety Inspection
What it is: The indoor “fan box” that pushes air through your ducts.
Why it matters: A weak or dirty motor means weak airflow, leaving rooms uncomfortable.
How We Help: We test and calibrate your blower motor to ensure air reaches every corner of your home.
Pro Tip: If your vents feel weak, it might not be the AC—it might just be a dirty blower wheel in the air handler.
Next Step: Test Your Airflow
What it is: The PVC pipe that carries the water your AC “squeezes” out of the air to the outside.
Why it matters: If it clogs, water backs up and can flood your ceiling or floors.
How We Help: We flush these lines during every visit to prevent a multi-thousand-dollar water damage headache.
Pro Tip: Pouring a cup of vinegar down your drain line once a year can help prevent algae clogs.
Next Step: Flush Your Drain Line
Symptoms: 🚩 AC turns on/off every few minutes; high bills; house stays warm.
What it is: When your system restarts constantly instead of running a full, smooth cycle.
Why it matters: It is the #1 cause of premature system failure and motor burnouts.
How We Help: Our Diagnostic Visit finds the root cause—like a faulty sensor—to save your system from a total breakdown.
Pro Tip: Sometimes short cycling is caused by a thermostat placed too close to a supply vent, tricking it into thinking the house is cool.
Next Step: Diagnose My System
Symptoms: 🚩 Warm air; hissing sounds; ice on the indoor pipes.
What it is: A hole in your system’s “bloodline” that allows the cooling fluid to escape.
Why it matters: Low refrigerant can burn out your compressor—the most expensive part of the AC.
How We Help: We use Electronic Leak Detectors to find and fix the hole for good rather than just “topping it off.”
Pro Tip: Refrigerant doesn’t evaporate. If you are low, you definitely have a leak that needs a professional fix.
Next Step: Find My Leak
What it is: An all-electric system that moves heat out in the summer and pulls heat in during the winter.
Why it matters: It’s incredibly efficient and lets you ditch the gas bill for year-round comfort.
How We Help: We are experts in Heat Pump Conversions and can help you decide if “going electric” is right for your budget.
Pro Tip: Modern heat pumps work in much colder temperatures than they used to, making them a great primary heat source for most homes.
Next Step: Learn About Heat Pumps
What it is: A measure of heat energy. It describes the “size” of the unit you need based on your square footage and insulation.
Why it matters: If your unit has too many BTUs, it will short cycle. Too few, and it will run forever and never get cool.
How We Help: We use that Manual J calculation to find the “Goldilocks” size for your home—not too big, not too small.
Pro Tip: More BTUs does not mean “better cooling.” It usually means a noisier house and higher humidity.
Next Step: Size My System Correctly
What it is: Metal flaps inside your ducts that open and close to control where the air goes.
Why it matters: If a damper is stuck, one room will be a freezer while another is an oven.
How We Help: If your home feels “uneven,” we perform Air Balancing to make sure the air goes exactly where you want it.
Pro Tip: Dampers are often located near the main unit. If a room is cold, check the lever on the ductwork to see if the “gate” is open.
Next Step: Schedule Air Balancing
Still have questions?
We speak “Homeowner,” not just “HVAC”. If you’re seeing a term on your quote that isn’t listed here—or if your system is acting up—don’t sweat it. Our team is ready to help. We’ll explain the “why” before we ever ask for a “yes.”