Talking HVAC: Learn These Terms and Benefit

Whether the heating or cooling system in your Middletown area home is in need of routine maintenance or repairs, or if you’re upgrading or replacing equipment, it’s helpful to become familiar with some terms commonly used by an HVAC contractor.

Most homeowners are usually familiar with some HVAC terminology, including Btu, compressor, ductwork, heat pump and refrigerant. It also helps when you understand the various acronyms associated with HVAC terms and techniques in order to hold your own when talking HVAC with your local contractor.

ACCA: The Air Conditioning Contractors of America is a national trade association that represents and provides credentials recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency to HVAC contractors.

NATE: North American Technician Excellence is a professional certification earned by HVAC service technicians that indicates their knowledge of and experience with various types of HVAC equipment.

CFM: Cubic Feet per Minute is a standard of measurement indicating how many cubic feet of air pass by a specific point in your home’s ductwork in one minute. Determining the correct volume of air passing through each room indicates your system’s efficiency.

EER: The Energy Efficiency Ratio measures the energy used by a window or central air conditioner. For example, it measures the amount of energy used on a day outside temperatures are higher than normal, say about 95 degrees. A high EER (of at least 11) indicates an efficient unit.

SEER: The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is a more comprehensive measurement of energy use by an air conditioner because it indicates energy use during an entire cooling season as opposed to one day. An HVAC unit featuring a high SEER rating indicates high efficiency and lower power use..

AFUE: The Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency measures the heating efficiency of a boiler or furnace by the amount of energy needed to produce warmth in the home. Units with an AFUE of at least 80 percent are the most energy efficient.

For more expert information on talking HVAC or for home comfort issues, please contact CR Wolfe Heating and Air Conditioning. We have been proudly serving the Middletown area since 1945.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Middletown, New York about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about HVAC terms and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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