HVAC Terms Every Homeowner Should Know
Your technician just told you that your evaporator coil is broken, your refrigerant lines are cracked, and your EER and MERV ratings are low…now what? When it comes to talking with your HVAC technician, industry jargon can quickly confuse even the most tech savvy homeowners. Whether you’re looking to purchase a new HVAC system or just want to make sure that you’re getting the best out of the one you have, here are a few HVAC terms you should know.
Condenser: This is the part of an outdoor air conditioner or heat pump that compresses and pumps the right amount of refrigerant needed to keep your house cool.
EER rating: The ratio of a unit’s cooling capacity to power input. The higher your EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating is, the more efficient your AC unit is.
Evaporator coil: The part of an HVAC unit that absorbs heat from your house. It’s usually found inside the air handler or attached to the side of your furnace.
MERV rating: Just like how an EER rating is used to rank the efficiency of your entire unit, a MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating is used to determine the efficiency of your filters. Every unit has filters with small holes that allow air (but not harmful particles) through. The higher your MERV rating, the smaller (and therefore more efficient) the holes are in your filters.
Programmable thermostat: A programmable thermostat is able to adjust the temperature of your house throughout the day, based on a schedule you set. In the summer, many homeowners will set the temperature higher during the day (when they’re at work) and lower around the time they get home.
Refrigerant lines: The two copper lines that connect your outdoor AC or heat pump to the indoor evaporator coil.
Thermidistat: We know what you’re thinking, but no, we didn’t spell thermostat wrong! Like a thermostat, a thermidistat monitors the temperature of a room, but it also tracks humidity levels and can adjust your HVAC accordingly.
At Leslie Heating & Cooling, your comfort is our number one priority. We are a family-owned and operated business based in Woodridge, Illinois and are here for all of your AC installation, maintenance, and HVAC emergency needs. To learn more, give us a call at (630) 576-9235!
