According to the RECS (Residential Energy Consumption Survey), over 87 percent of Americans have an HVAC system in their homes. Unfortunately, many of them are lost when it comes to HVAC terminology, so they end up calling an overpriced technician.
That’s why today, we’re going to help you save your hard-earned cash by telling you the most common terms in the HVAC industry. By the end of this post, you’ll be an HVAC pro!
Table of Contents
Ductwork
The ductwork of an HVAC system is specialized pipes that create airflow in your home. An HVAC installer may use aluminum, galvanized steel, or flexible plastic. So, if you notice less airflow in your home, you may need to check your ductwork.
You can check your ductwork by opening one of the vents located in your home. And while you’re at it, you can think about what kind of decorative vent cover would look best for your home.
Evaporator Coil
An evaporator coil absorbs or adds heat to the air conditioning system and keeps your home cool or warm. It does this by taking the heat from the air and either releasing it outside or recycling it into your home.
To avoid any issues with your HVAC evaporator coil, be sure to clean it every few months.
Refrigerant
Most HVAC systems use a refrigerant system to cool a home. You’ll need to refill the refrigerant liquid every few months, but if you notice your home isn’t as cold as it should be, you may need to change it sooner. Some intelligent HVAC systems have digital monitors that show the current refrigerant levels.
Air Filters
An air filter is what prevents debris, pollen, and other small particles from entering your home. As you can imagine, inhaling these particles can cause severe problems to your respiratory system.
Most experts recommend changing your air filters every three months, but if you have pets in your home, you may want to consider changing them every month.
Dehumidifier
As you may already know, a dehumidifier removes humidity from the air. But, what you may not know is that some HVAC systems have built-in dehumidifiers, which reduce your home’s humidity levels. Of course, depending on how humid your home is, you may need to change the dehumidifier to a larger one since the factory one may not be enough.
Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER)
SEER estimates the energy efficiency of your air conditioning system. It measures the total cooling of your air conditioner or heat pump, which means you can see how much watts per hour your AC uses. So, if you want to be a savvy homeowner, you’ll need to understand what SEER is since it’ll help you pick an HVAC system that is energy efficient.
HVAC Terminology Made Simple
Hopefully, with the different HVAC terminology that we covered today, you’ll be able to understand and solve any problem your HVAC may encounter.
Of course, there will be times you’ll need some professional help, but at least you’ll be able to fix most minor issues. So, be sure to bookmark this page so you can refer to it in the future!
What other HVAC terms do you know of? Let us know in the comment section. And if you want to read more articles that’ll help you be a smart homeowner, be sure to check out our other topics!
