Lost In Translation No More: Common HVAC Terms And Meanings

Whether you’re talking to a contractor or a friend experienced in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), it’s important to know what they mean when they write or say an acronym. There are hundreds of HVAC terms, but here are some of the most common and important ones:

• AC or A/C (Air Conditioning): This refers to your complete air conditioning system, not just your outside or inside component.
• AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency): When buying a furnace it’s important to evaluate what effect the efficiency will have on your energy bills. All furnaces have an AFUE rating that you can use to compare their efficiency.
• CO (Carbon Monoxide): One of the biggest household killers is CO, a colorless and odorless gas that can come from fuel-burning appliances. Learning how to protect yourself from CO poisoning should be a top priority.
• EF (Exhaust Fan): Most homes have exhaust fans over the stove and in bathrooms. These take air from the room outside, which can be important to remove humidity, smoke and excess heat.
• FACP (Fire Alarm Control Panel): In larger buildings there might be a main fire alarm panel that is connected to all the different fire alarms in the building. If something goes wrong or isn’t working, start here.
• RH (Relative Humidity): Humidity in your home should be in a certain range for good indoor air quality and comfort. It is an important consideration when installing a new furnace.
• SD (Smoke Detector): While not as deadly as CO, smoke and fire are significant threats to any homeowner. Knowing about proper smoke detector use and maintenance could save your life.

If you do find yourself in a situation with an HVAC professional who unknowningly uses an abbreviation you are unfamiliar with, don’t hesitate to ask them to expand. If you have any other questions about HVAC terms that you need answered, feel free to contact Sobieski Services.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC & plumbing systems).

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