There is nothing more frustrating than trying to converse with someone in a foreign language you don’t understand. Like many industries, the HVAC industry has a language all of its own, understanding some of these terms, will help you to understand your technician better. When you can understand this terminology, it will be harder for an unscrupulous person to take advantage of your lack of knowledge, to charge you for an unnecessary repair or equipment replacement.

  1. Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV)terms

This is a rating for the air filter in your system and the higher the rating, the more efficient the filter is. The highest rated air filter is MERV 16, and this would be a filter used in a hospital or laboratory. The better the filter, the smaller the particles it can remove, and this is an important consideration for families that have allergies and breathing difficulties.

  1. The Compressor

This is a part of your air conditioner that’s located inside the condenser. The majority of noise that you may hear in an air conditioner system would usually be the compressor. The compressor raises the pressure of the refrigerant and then circulates it through your system.

  1. The Heat Pump

A heat pump may look like a regular air conditioner condenser unit, but it works differently. The heat pump uses electricity in order to heat your home efficiently in winter and then it can cool the home in summer like a standard air conditioner system.

  1. The Plenum

There is a box attached to the side of the air handler where the ducts are attached. This is the plenum; the side with the return has a filter that is located between the air handler and the plenum. The side that has the supply may have an evaporator coil that is kept separate from the blower. The plenum box is usually made of sheet metal that has been insulated, but some manufacturers use different materials.

  1. The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER)

The SEER is a measure of the air conditioner efficiency. It’s calculated by taking the BTU/hour of a cooling figure and then dividing that by the watts of electricity used over the entire cooling season. Under current guidelines, a minimum SEER rating of 13 is allowed. A higher SEER rating indicates that the system is more energy efficient and it will cost less to run.

  1. The Air Handler

This is a unit that circulates air through a duct system, and it’s typically paired with a split system air conditioning unit or heat pump. The air handler also where the blower is located, and it may also house the heating/cooling elements and the evaporator coil.

  1. Load Calculation

This is a calculation that is carried out by a trained HVAC specialist. Its purpose is to determine how much cooling or heating is required in your home. The load calculation will also indicate how much heat is lost or gained so that the system is correctly matched to the size of the home.

Now you have some useful terms to use and understand when talking to your HVAC specialist. These terms are commonly used during service visits and when installing new equipment, but don’t hesitate to ask a question if you don’t understand something. A professional HVAC specialist will be happy to answer your questions and explain things in greater detail if you’re unsure about anything.