Know the Common HVAC Acronyms and What They Mean

The HVAC industry has plenty of acronyms. You may hear about them when you're in the market for a new heating or cooling system or see them on stickers or units and have a hard time figuring out what they mean. Let's decode some commonly used HVAC acronyms.

BTU

In the HVAC industry, the British Thermal Unit (BTU) is one of the most common HVAC acronyms, and it's a measure of the amount of heat that an HVAC unit can remove from or add to the air in an hour. Knowing a building's BTU requirements ensures you have the right HVAC system installed.

ACH

Air changes per hour (ACH) is the rate that air enters and leaves a room in an hour. It's obtained by dividing the air volume flowing into or out of a room by the room's volume. A higher ACH value implies better ventilation.

SEER

The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) defines the cooling efficiency of a heat pump or air-conditioning system. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the cooling system.

HSPF

Heating Season Performance Factor (HSPF) measures a heat pump's overall heating efficiency during the heating season. The higher the rating, the more efficient the heat-pump system.

FCU

A fan coil unit (FCU) is a device that uses a fan and a coil to cool or heat a room. It can heat or cool without ductwork. FCUs can be free-standing, ceiling, or floor-mounted to control a room's temperature.

VAV

A Variable Air Volume (VAV) system is an HVAC system that varies the quantity of air it supplies at constant temperatures. VAV systems enable precise control of temperature and lower fan noise and energy use.

Understanding HVAC acronyms can make shopping for an HVAC unit and dealing with HVAC issues less confusing. If you have any HVAC-related questions about HVAC acronyms or anything else, please get in touch with us at Air Assurance. We've served the HVAC needs of residents in the Broken Arrow area for more than 35 years.

Questions First-Time HVAC Purchasers Should Ask

Your HVAC system contains some of your home's most expensive and essential equipment, so making a first-time purchase when it needs replacement can be a daunting experience. You can make HVAC purchases less stressful and more successful by carefully choosing your installer and getting the right answers to some important questions.

What to Do and Ask Before an HVAC Purchase

There's more to a successful HVAC equipment purchase than just choosing between different models. Having the equipment installed properly makes a big difference in its energy consumption, performance and lifespan. To ensure a quality installation, you want to choose a reputable, well-established HVAC contractor with industry expertise. For peace of mind that you're hiring the right installer, consider the answers you get when you ask the following questions too:

How do you size my equipment?

Installing poorly-sized equipment can have long-term repercussions. Oversized HVAC with too much capacity will short-cycle, which wastes energy. Undersized equipment simply won't keep your home warm or cool enough. A knowledgeable installer will tell you they do a load calculation for accurate sizing, not just match the old equipment or use a “rule of thumb.”

Is my existing ductwork okay?

A contractor worth hiring will say they have to verify that the ductwork design provides balanced airflow and the ducts are free from damage and leaks before installing your new HVAC equipment.

How can I compare efficiency ratings?

A dependable HVAC pro knows that higher-rated equipment that's more efficient is less expensive to operate, but costs more upfront. They'll help you weigh the price tag vs. potential energy savings for different models so you can make an informed choice within your budget.

What equipment features are worthwhile?

Some HVAC equipment models have optional features that can enhance energy efficiency and your comfort. A good contractor should tell you about any beneficial features that match your home and budget, and may recommend options like a variable-speed compressor, air handler or furnace, or installing a zoning system or smart thermostat.

For personalized help making informed HVAC purchases for your Broken Arrow home, contact us at Air Assurance.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.