A/C Words Used By Our Technicians
Air Diffusers: Air distribution in outlet or grille designed to direct air flow into desired area.
Air Coil/A-Coil: Coil on split systems used either as an evaporator or condenser (heating or cooling).
Air Filter: Device used for removal of airborne impurities.
Air Handler: Fan - blower, heat transfer coil, filter. Usually indoors.
AMPS: Amperage, volume of electricity flowing through a circuit, motor, or appliance.
AMPS Amperages: A measurement of energy usage in a circuit, appliance or motor i.e. An A/C motor is rated at 1.2 AMPS technician rads, 1.3 AMPS should recommend a fix.
A.R.I.: Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute.
BTU: British Thermal Unit: Quantity of heat required to raise temperature of one pound of water, one degree fahrenheit. Most equipment model numbers designate the amount of BTU's.
Capacitor: Attached to motors, they send a jolt to start up the motor (start capacitor) or series of jolts to keep the motor running (run capacitor). An air conditioner usually has 3: The blower, the outdoor fan, and the compressor.
Capacity: A/C rating system usually measured in BTU per hour or Watts (The amount of actual work the A/C is capable of).
Carbon Monoxide: At least once a year, have your furnace checked for this deadly tasteless, odorless gas before heating is used. Technicians carry carbon monoxide detectors and can address the source with the homeowner.
Code: The HVAC must be installed to all applicable City or County Government's codes and rules.
Compressor: The "pump" that circulates refrigerant through the air conditioner or heat pump.
Condenser: Part of an A/C system, which receives the hot gas (refrigerant) from the compressor until it cools into liquid refrigerant.
Condensation: Liquid or water droplets that form when a gas or vapor is at its dew point.
A. Splits, A 3/4" PVC water pipe is plumbed from A-Coil to outdoors.
B. Packages, A 3/4" PVC outlet at rear of unit.
Contractor: Mechanical switch that turns on the air conditioners compressor. Usually controlled by the thermostat.
Defrost: Device connected into electrical circuit that shuts off long enough to permit ice and frost accumulation on evaporator to melt. When unit reaches defrost water will show outside unit floor during cold days.
Delta T, Δ T, Temp Diff: The difference between 2 temperature measurements in return air. Supply air = ΔT Temp.
Disconnect: Electrical disconnect switch breaker or pull out switch that turns power off to appliance allowing technician to service or inspect appliance without appliance being electrically charged.
Down Flow Furnace: A furnace in which return air enters through the top and pulled down through the heat exchanger, in manufactured homes they're usually down flow with air diffusers on the flow. In site built homes units are usually up-flow with outlets on the ceiling.
Duct: Tube or channel through which air is conveyed or moved.
Electrostatic Air Filters: A filter that gives dust particles an electric charge. This causes particles to be attached to a plate so they can be removed from air. Air central uses dynamic air, please ask your technician.
EPA: Environmental Protective Agency - An agency empowered by the Government to protect the environment. All HVAC work falls under EPA rules and regulations.
Evaporator: Part of the air conditioning system in which the refrigerant vaporizes and absorbs heat. In the process we feel the "cold" air.
Filter Frame: A register in a home that opens and holds the air filter feeding the A/C.
Flexible Duct: A duct that can be routed around obstacles by the bending of it gradually.
Formicarry Corrosion: Corrosion in the copper or aluminum coils usually not visible to the human eye, but leaves oil deposit where refrigerant slowly "oozes".
Furnace: Self contained appliance designed to supply heated air through ducts to spaces remote from the appliance location in housing, usually indoors.
Heat Pump: Compressor bearing system designed to mechanically supply or remove (heat and cool) home.
Available in one of the following:
1. Split system heat pump
2. Packaged heat pump
Heat Strip: Heat transfer device consisting of a coil of metal that releases heat.
Maintenance: Cleaning and inspection performed on HVAC equipment is designed to keep equipment running at or near industry standards and an HVAC professional should address or identify problem situations
Packaged Unit: Complete air conditioning and/or heating system. Including compressor, condenser, blowers, fans and evaporator. Located outside home.
Available in one of the following:
1. A/C Only
2. A/C with the electric heat
3. A/C with gas heat (gas pack)
4. Heat Pump
Permit: Permit is required by our local jurisdictions Planning and Zoning Dept, either City or County to replace a structures mechanical equipment usually anywhere from $45 to $100 on residential.
Pressures: Technicians document the pressures of the refrigerant in an operating A/C at the outdoor and indoor temperatures.
Normal pressures are recorded. Abnormal pressures are brought to your attention and how abnormal pressures can be rectified.
Reclaiming: Taking refrigerant that has been removed from a system, processing it according to EPA rules.
Refrigerant (Freon): Substance in A/C mechanism. It absorbs heat in evaporator by change of state from liquid to gas and releases its heat in a condenser as the substance returns from the gaseous state, back to a liquid state.
Refrigerant 22 (R-22 Freon): An HCFC gas slated for complete phase out by 2020 by the 1991 clean air act.
Refrigerant R410A: HFC family of gas currently used to replace R-22 in residential and commercial HVAC.
Return Air: The air before the A/C usually measured at or feeding the air filter and/or air conditioning coil.
S.E.E.R.: Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating - The government acronym for measure of cooling capacity
S.E.E.R2: Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating - The new government measure of cooling capacity in effect January 1, 2023.
Smoke Detector and Duct Detectors: Sensor in an appliance duct work that checks for the presence of smoke and turns system off if triggered. Not to be confused with a homes smoke detector.
Split System: Air conditioning and/or heating installation that places condensing unit outside or away from evaporator or furnace gas and electric, usually indoors.
Available in one of the following:
1. A/C with electric heat
2. A/C with gas heat
3. Heat pump
Static Pressure: Is the measurement of resistance in the homes duct system that the fan blower has to work against. For example, filters, registers, air coils, and duct work.
Supply Air: Air flowing from the air conditioner into the livable area.
Thermostat: Electric device on your wall that controls the air conditioning and heat by temperature. Some thermostats come in programmable and Wi-Fi models. Please ask your A/C tech about new models
Volts: In HVAC residential Yuma, normally 12V/240V one phase.
Warranty: Labor provided by company for one year gratis after initial work performed. Most HVAC companies offer five to ten years warranty on parts, and most equipment can have extended labor warranty added for a small fee.
Wiring: Normally 3 references:
1. Wiring high voltage from power box to appliance.
2. Wiring inside the appliance
3. Low voltage, control wiring from appliance and component to the thermostat.
X-13: Usually in a homes blower or fan and are direct current 3 phase permanent magnet rotor motors that use back EMF to motor torque and deliver "constant torque" about 20% more efficient than standard. 120V and 240V A/C PSC Motors will be obsolete in a few years.
