When something goes wrong with your HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system, you may find yourself dealing with a technician who uses terminology you don’t understand when all you want to do is get things working again. You’re paying money to fix or replace equipment when you may not even understand what went wrong.
At Gembecki, we know that HVAC terminology can be confusing and frustrating for our customers. That’s why we try to explain things in a way that people who don’t deal with Orlando air conditioning and heating systems every day like we do will understand.
However, it’s a good idea for every homeowner to know at least some often-used HVAC terms and acronyms when they need heating or air conditioning service in Orlando. Here are some common ones:
BTUh – This stands for British thermal units per hour. 12,000 BTUh equals one ton of cooling.
Compressor – This is the pump that moves the refrigerant from the indoor evaporator to the outdoor condenser and then back to the evaporator. It sits outside the house.
Heat Pump – This is an air conditioner that can be used to warm a home in the winter.
MERV Rating – The Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value rating is used to denote the efficiency of an air filter in removing particles from the air. The rating scale ranges from one (least efficient) to 16 (most efficient).
Refrigerant – This is a chemical that is used to capture heat and transfer it in and out of a space. It is found in air conditioners, refrigerators and heat pumps and air conditioners. It transfers heat in and out of a space.
SEER – This stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It is the measure of the air conditioning or heat pump system’s efficiency. It’s the average number of BTUs of cooling for every watt-hour of electricity used and impacts how much the system costs to operate. The higher the rating, the more efficient your system is.
Zones – Multiple thermostats can be used to cool and heat spaces in your home independently of one another. This can decrease energy costs.
The more you understand about your Orlando air conditioning and heating systems, the easier it will be to understand problems that arise. You will also be able to communicate with your Orlando HVAC repair professional more clearly and effectively about any problems that arise. Finally, you will feel more confident in the decisions you make about your system.
At Gembecki’s, we don’t expect our customers to be HVAC experts. That’s why we’re here. Our family-owned businesses has been trusted by Central Florida residents for almost 25 years. Call us today to find out what we can do for you.
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