Owning a home is one of life’s greatest joys. This is where you and your children will grow up, you’ll celebrate holidays and your grandchildren will look forward to visits. Among these great joys is the work that goes into your home – what seems like endless remodeling and unexpected repairs. Sometimes it seems as if the work is never finished.
Your home owning experience could be made a little easier by knowing the right terminology. HVAC plays a major part in your home, knowing some key terms can be very helpful and make you more prepared when the need to have a repair or have a system replaced arises.
HVAC – Starting with the basics, HVAC is an acronym for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning.
Refrigerant – This is a chemical fluid used in air conditioners, refrigerators and heat pumps. Refrigerant works by transferring heat out or into an interior space. Boiling at a very low temperature allows refrigerant to evaporate and absorb heat.
SEER – This is an acronym for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. This rating shows how efficiently your air conditioner cools your home. A high rating means your air conditioner is working efficiently.
Thermostat – This device uses sensors to display the temperature of your home. It also allows you to control the temperature of both your heating and cooling systems.
HSPF – This acronym stands for Heating Seasonal Performance Factor. The HSPF records how efficient your heating pump is. The higher the rate is the more efficient your heat pump is.
MERV – An abbreviation for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. The MERV rating indicates how efficient your air filter is. The MERV scale ranges from 1 to 16. If your air filter is good at removing particles from the air, it will receive a high MERV rating.
Dehumidifier – This device is used to remove additional moisture from the air. By removing moisture, this device can reduce your chances of mold from growing in your home.
Humidifier – This is the complete opposite of a dehumidifier. This device adds moisture to the air. A humidifier is a great solution for homes that are on the dry side.
Knowing these terms can make calling an HVAC company much easier and less stressful. These common HVAC terms will also make it much easier when purchasing a new system or scheduling a repair. For any HVAC needs you might have, call Gillece Services today!
