Benchmark Air Conditioning & Heating - Sales, Service & Installation. North Dallas and Collin County. Preventative Maintenance and Repairs. Frisco, Texas. Plano, Allen & McKinney. Glassary & Terms Page.

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Glossary & Terms

Benchmark Air Conditioning & Heating is proud to provide air conditioning and heating services to our fellow citizens of the North Dallas and Collin County area, including the cities of Addison, Allen, Carrollton, Celina, Frisco, Highland Park, Lewisville, McKinney, Little Elm, Plano, Prosper and The Colony.

In able to completely understand your heating and cooling system it is essential that you are fully knowledgeable of all associated heating and cooling terms. Below you will find a glossary of HVAC terms that you should familiarize yourself with. If you have any questions or we can assist you in any way, please contact Benchmark Air Conditioning & Heating at 972-377-9724. For your convenience, you may also request services from this site.

AFUE - AFUE or (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) is the measurement for heating efficiency. AFUE ranges from 80% to 95% for new systems. The higher the AFUE, the more efficiently the system performs, the greater your energy savings.

Airflow - Airflow is the distribution or movement of air.

Air Handler/Coil Blower - The air handler or coil blower is thee indoor part of an air conditioner or heat pump that moves cooled or heated air throughout the ductwork of your home. An air handler is usually a furnace or a blower coil.

Bioaerosols - Bioaerosols are microscopic living organisms suspended in the air that grow and multiply in warm, humid places.

Btu - Btu is a British thermal unit of heat energy. One Btu is the amount of heat required to raise one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. The higher the Btu rating, the greater the heating capacity of the system. Btuh means British thermal units per hour.

CAE - CAE is the Combined Annual Efficiency to measure the amount of heat produced for every dollar of fuel consumed for both home and water heating.

Carbon Monoxide - Carbon Monoxide is an odorless, colorless, tasteless, poisonous and flammable gas that is produced when carbon burns with insufficient air.

Central Air Conditioning System - A Central Air Conditioning System is the system in which air is treated at a central location and distributed to and from rooms by one or more fans and a series of ducts.

CFM - CFM stands for Cubic Feet per Minute. This measurement indicates how many cubic feet of air pass by a stationary point in one minute. The higher the number, the more air is being moved through the ductwork by the system.

Compressor - Your Compressor is the part of the outdoor air conditioner or heat pump that compresses and pumps refrigerant to meet household cooling requirements.

Condenser Coil - The condenser coil is the outdoor portion of an air conditioner or heat pump that either releases or collects heat, depending on the time of the year.

Damper - The Damper is a movable plate, located in the ductwork that regulates airflow. Dampers are used to direct air to the areas that need it most. Typically used in a zoning application.

dB - A dB is a decibel of a unit that is used to measure the relative intensity of sound.

DOE - The DOE or Department of Energy is a federal agency responsible for setting industry efficiency standards and monitoring the consumption of energy sources.

Ductwork - Ductwork is the method by which air is channeled from the furnace or the blower coil throughout your home.

Electronic Air Cleaner - An electronic air cleaner is an electronic device that filters out large particles and bioaerosols in indoor air.

ENERGY STARŽ - ENERGY STAR is an EPA or Environmental Protection Agency designation attached to HVAC products that meet or exceed EPA guidelines for high-efficiency performance above the standard government minimums.

EPA - The EPA is the Environmental Protection Agency develops and enforces federal environmental regulations. The EPA oversees the nationwide Energy StarŽ program.

Evaporator Coil - The evaporator coil is the part of the air conditioner or heat pump that is located inside the air handler or attached to the furnace. Its primary function is to absorb the heat from the air in your house.

Heat Exchanger - The heat exchanger is located in the furnace, the heat exchanger transfers heat to the surrounding air, which is then pumped throughout the home.

Heat Pump - A heat pump is an HVAC unit that heats or cools by moving heat. During the winter, a heat pump draws heat from outdoor air and circulates it through your home's air ducts. In the summer, it reverses the process and removes heat from your house and releases it outdoors.

Horizontal Flow - Horizontal flow is when an air handler or furnace is positioned on its side and circulates air in one end and out the other. Horizontal flow is ideal for attic or crawl space installations.

HSPF - HSPF or Heating Seasonal Performance Factor is the heating efficiency rating for heat pumps. The higher the rating, the more efficient the heat pump.

Humidifier - A humidifier is an indoor air quality device that introduces moisture to heated air as it passes from the furnace into the ductwork for distribution throughout the home.

Humidistat - A Humidistat is an automatic device used to maintain humidity at a fixed or adjustable set point.

HVAC - HVAC is an acronym for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning.

Indoor Coil - Please refer to the evaporator coil for a complete description of the indoor coil.

ISO 9000- The ISO 9000 is a family of international standards for quality management and assurance.

MERV Rating - MERV Rating or Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value rating of a filter describes the size of the holes in the filter that allow air to pass through. The higher the MERV rating, the smaller the holes in the filter, the higher the efficiency.

Micron - A micron is a unit of measure equal to one millionth of a meter, or one thousandth of a millimeter.

Mini-split System - A mini-split system is a ductless air conditioning system that mounts in a single room, used to cool individual areas, particularly if a Window Unit is not desired or no windows are present.

Particles (Particulates) - Particulates are any substances measuring less than 100 microns in diameter. The EPA has found that small particles (less than 2.5 microns) are responsible for the health effects of greatest concern.

Programmable Thermostat - A programmable thermostat is a thermostat with the ability to record different temperature/time settings for your heating and/or cooling equipment.

R410A Refrigerant - R410A Refrigerant is a chlorine-free refrigerant that meets the EPA's newest, most stringent environmental guidelines.

Refrigerant - Refrigerant is a chemical that produces a cooling effect while expanding or vaporizing. Most residential air conditioning units contain the standard R-22 refrigerant, or Freon.

Refrigerant Lines - Refrigerant line are copper lines that connect the outdoor air conditioner or heat pump to the indoor evaporator coil.

Scroll Compressor - A scroll compressor is a specially designed compressor that works in a circular motion, as opposed to up-and-down piston action.

SEER - SEER is an efficiency rating that measures the cooling performance of air conditioners and heat pumps is rated using the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) system, which ranges from 13.00 to 20.00 for new systems. The higher the SEER, the better the efficiency, the greater the energy savings.

Single Package - A single package is a heating and cooling system contained in one outdoor unit.

Split System - A split-system is an HVAC system in which some components are located inside the structure of the house and some are located outside. Split systems should be matched for optimal efficiency.

Thermidistat - A thermidistat monitors temperature and humidity and adjusts heating or cooling system to maintain desired levels.

Thermostat - A thermostat is usually found on an inside wall, this device operates as a control to regulate your heating and cooling equipment, allowing you to adjust your home comfort at the touch of a switch.

Ton - A ton is a unit of measurement for determining cooling capacity. One ton equals 12,000 Btuh.

Two-Stage Operation - Two-Stage Operation provides two levels of heating or cooling output for greater temperature control, energy efficiency and improved indoor air quality.

Upflow - "Upflow" occurs when an air handler or furnace is installed in an upright position and circulates air through the side or bottom and out through the top. Typically used in a basement, closet and attic installations.

Variable Speed Motor - A variable speed motor is a motor that automatically adjusts the flow of warm or cool air for ultimate comfort.

Ventilator - A ventilator is a system that exchanges stale, recirculated indoor air with fresh, filtered outside air.

Window Unit - A window unit is an air conditioner designed to be placed in the window, used for cooling individual rooms.

Zoning - Zoning is a method of partitioning a home into independently controlled comfort zones for enhanced comfort and efficiency.

Understanding heating and cooling terminology is essential when you are considering the purchase of a new heating and cooling system. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation with one of our comfort experts, please feel free to contact Benchmark Air Conditioning & Heating at 972-377-9724. For your convenience, you may also request services from this site.

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