Description of Useful HVAC Terms

Course No: M05-015

Credit: 5 PDH

A. Bhatia

Continuing Education and Development, Inc.

9 Greyridge Farm Court
Stony Point, NY 10980

P: (877) 322-5800
F: (877) 322-4774

info@cedengineering.com
 HVAC TERMINOLOGY

Terms Description
Abatement: Reduction or removal of a contaminant.
Absolute Humidity: The mass of water vapor in a given volume of air. Measured in Grains per
cubic foot or may also be measured as the partial pressure of the water
vapor.
Absolute Pressure: Gauge pressure plus atmospheric pressure (14.7 PSI) equals absolute
pressure.
Pressure is sometimes measured not as an absolute pressure, but as the
excess of that pressure above atmospheric pressure, sometimes called
gauge pressure. An example of this is the air pressure in a tire of a car,
which might be said to be "thirty PSI", but is actually thirty PSI above
atmospheric pressure. In technical work, this would be written as "30
PSIG" or, more commonly, "30 psig".
Absolute Temperature: Temperature measured from absolute zero. A temperature scale
expressed in degrees F or C using absolute zero as a base. Referred to
as the Rankin or Kelvin scale.
Absolute Zero Temperature: The temperature at which molecular activity theoretically ceases. (-460F
and -273C)
Absorbent: Substance with the ability to take up or absorb another substance.
Absorption: The penetration of one substance into the inner structure of another
substance, as distinguished from adsorption in which one substance is
attracted to and held on the surface of another substance.
Absorption Refrigerator: A refrigerator that uses a heat source to provide the energy needed to
drive the cooling system.
Absorption refrigerators are a popular alternative to regular compressor
refrigerators where surplus heat is available (e.g. combined heat and
power (CHP) or industrial processes).
Absorption v/s vapor compressor refrigerators:
In both absorption and vapor compressor refrigerators when the
refrigerant evaporates and boils, it takes some heat away with it, providing
the cooling effect. The main difference between the two types is the way
the refrigerant is changed from a gas back into a liquid so that the cycle
can repeat
A compressor refrigerator uses an electrically-powered compressor to
increase the pressure on the gas, and then condenses the hot high
pressure gas back to a liquid by heat exchange with a coolant (usually air).
Once the high pressure gas has cooled, it passes through a pressure
release valve which drops the refrigerant temperature to below freezing.
An absorption refrigerator changes the gas back into a liquid using a
method that needs only heat, and has no moving parts.
Compressor refrigerators typically use an HCFC, while absorption
refrigerators typically use ammonia.
ACCA: Air conditioning Contractors of America: a leading HVAC/R Association,
http://www.acca.org/
Acceptable Indoor Air 1) Indoor air that does not contain harmful concentrations of contaminants;
Quality: 2) Air with which at least 80% of building occupants do not express
dissatisfaction.
Access floor: A platform structure typically consisting of 0.6 m x 0.6 m (2 ft x 2 ft)
concrete-filled steel floor panels supported on pedestals 0.2 to 0.46 m (8"
to 18") above the concrete structural floor slab. Each panel can be
independently removed for easy access to the under floor plenum created
below and can include openings for electrical outlets, grilles or any other
floor accessory in its thickness. In most office installations, carpet tiles are
laid on top to provide a finished floor surface. Raised floor systems provide
maximum flexibility and significantly lower costs associated with
reconfiguring building services.
Accessible Hermetic: Assembly of a motor and compressor inside a single housing unit.
Terms Description
Accumulator: Storage tank which receives liquid refrigerant from evaporator and
prevents it from flowing into suction line before vaporizing. Tank on the
suction side of a system that holds excess refrigerant to prevent slugging
the compressor with liquid.
ACGIH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists.
ACH: Air Changes per Hour. The number of times that air in a space is
completely replaced with outdoor air in one hour.
Acid Aerosol: Airborne acidic liquid or solid particles. High concentrations can be
irritating to the lungs. They have been associated with some respiratory
diseases, such as asthma.
Acid Condition in System: Condition in which refrigerant or oil in the system is mixed with fluids that
are acidic in nature.
Acid Rain: Acid rain is an environmental phenomenon, when rain becomes acidic due
to the emission of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. To learn more, refer
to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Acid Rain Home Page.
ACR Tubing: Tubing used in air conditioning and refrigeration. Ends are sealed to keep
tubing clean and dry.
Action Level: A term used to identify the level of indoor radon at which remedial action is
recommended.
Action Packet: In reference to the indoor air quality "Tools for Schools Kit". The packet
contains three components (an introductory memo, IAQ Backgrounder,
and IAQ Checklist) to assist school personnel to implement an effective
yet simple indoor air quality program in their school.
Activated Alumina: Chemical that is a form of aluminum oxide. It is used as a drier or
desiccant.
Activated Carbon: Specially processed carbon used as a filter drier; commonly used to clean
air from volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Active Diffuser: Any air supply outlet that relies on a local fan to deliver air from the
plenum through the diffuser into the conditioned space of the building.
Actuator: That portion of a regulating valve which converts mechanical fluid, thermal
energy or electrical energy into mechanical motion (for e.g. to open or
close the valve seats).
Actuator Motor: An electric motor that is used to open/close valves, and open/close
dampers or other control function. Pneumatic actuators can do the same
function but are air operated instead of using electric power.
Adapt-A-Curb: A curb adapter, which will allow for a different size of rooftop unit to
replace an older one without roofing changes. If allowed by the owner of
the building usually there is no additional roofing work needed. (See also
Curb).
Add On Heat Pump: Installing a heat pump in conjunction with an existing fossil fuel furnace.
The result is a dual fuel system.
Addendums: Addendums are issued as changes, amendments, or clarifications to the
original or previously issued Contract Documents.
Adiabatic: A thermodynamic process during which energy (heat) is neither added to
nor removed from the system. Natural evaporation/condensation is an
adiabatic process in which a liquid can change phase to a vapor and back
to a liquid without the total energy of the system being changed from
outside the system.
Adiabatic Compression: Compressing refrigerant gas without removing or adding heat.
Adjustable Grille: A grille with linear blades which can be adjusted to vary the direction of the
discharged air. The linear blades are normally either vertical or horizontal,
or both horizontal and vertical.
Adjusting: The term adjusting may be described as the final setting of balancing
devices such as dampers and valves, in addition to automatic control
devices, such as thermostats and pressure/temperature controllers to
achieve maximum system performance and efficiency during normal
operation. Adjusting also includes final adjustments for pumps by
Terms Description
regulation of motor speed, partial close-down of pump discharge valve or
impeller trim (preferred over the partial close-down of pump discharge
valve).
Adsorbent: Substance with the property to hold molecules of fluids without causing a
chemical or physical damage. Also called desiccant.
Adsorption: Adherence of molecules of a gas (vapor) to the surface of another
substance called the adsorbent (desiccant). Activated carbon, activated
alumina, silica gel, and molecular sieves are examples of adsorbents.
Adsorbents do not change phase due to the adsorption process.
Aeration: Act of combining substance with air.
Aerosol: A suspension of liquid or solid particles in air.
AFUE): Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency is a rating that shows how much heat
you get for every dollar you spend for energy. Its determined by dividing
the total energy used into the total heating produced.
The AFUE number compares the percentage of heat delivered to the
amount lost up the chimney, based on each unit of fuel. A higher rating
indicates more efficient equipment. This rating is calculated in accordance
with the Department of Energy test procedures. This value is intended to
represent the ratio of heat transferred to the conditioned space by the fuel
energy supplied over one year. The U.S. Government's minimum
efficiency level is 78%.
AGA: American Gas Association
Agitator: Device used to cause motion in confined fluid.
AHU : Air Handling Unit
Air Change Effectiveness Air change effectiveness describes the ability of an air distribution system
(ACE): to provide ventilation (outside) air at the breathing zone (where occupants
breathe). ACE is defined as the age of air that would occur throughout the
space if the air was perfectly mixed, divided by the average age of air
where occupants breathe.
Air Change: The amount of air required to completely replace the air in a room or
building. Expressed in one of two ways: the number of changes of outside
air per unit of time in air changes per hour (ACH); or the rate at which a
volume of outside air enters per unit of time - cubic feet per minute (CFM).
The amount of air in CFM can be calculated by multiplying the volume of
room in cu-ft by the number of air changes required and dividing by 60.
For a 1000 cu-ft room volume, the air change rate at 3 air changes is:
1000 * 3/60 = 50 CFM.
For hazardous locations, the codes sometimes provide a minimum air
change rate of 12. For comfort air-conditioning, air change rate of 0.5 to 2
ACH is satisfactory. For clean room applications the air change rate is
usually very high; more than 30 depending on the level of cleanliness.
Air Changes per Hour A measure of the air exchange rate of a building, or space, that gives the
(ACH): time unit in hours.
Air Cleaner: Device used for removal of airborne impurities. A device that actively
removes impurities from the air, including forced air filtration systems and
electronic air cleaners. Air cleaners may be added to HVAC systems or
stand-alone room units.
Air Cleaning: An indoor air quality control strategy to remove various airborne
particulates and/or gases from the air. The three types of air cleaning most
commonly used are particulate filtration, electrostatic precipitation, and
gas sorption.
Air Coil: A type of heat exchanger typically fabricated of rows of copper tubes
bonded with aluminum fins. The air coil is used both as an evaporator or
condenser.
Air Conditioner: Device used to control temperature, humidity, cleanliness and movement
of air in a confined space.
Terms Description
Air Conditioning: The process of controlling the temperature, humidity, cleanliness and
distribution of the air in a confined space.
Commonly when we think of air conditioning we mean cooling. Cooling
means to reduce temperature and air conditioning means more than
cooling. The phrase air conditioning when used to mean conditioning of
air has a far greater scope.
Conditioning of air in an environment to provide comfort or process will do
some or all of the following:
1. Heating:- Comfort, storage, and process
2. Cooling:- Comfort, storage, and process
3. Cleaning:- Microbial filters in pharmaceutical plants, clean rooms, and
hospitals
4. Humidifying:- Comfort, manufacturing, and storage
5. Dehumidifying:- Comfort, manufacturing, and storage
6. Exchanging air: - Providing a percentage of outside (fresh) air for odor
dilution, oxygen depletion, and positive pressure. Outside Air or Fresh Air
is also a code requirement for commercial buildings. Indoor Air Quality
(IAQ) is associated with exchanging air.
Air Cooled Condenser: Uses a fan to discharge heat from the condenser coil to the outdoors.
Air Cooler: Mechanism designed to lower temperature of air passing through it.
Air Core Solenoid: Solenoid that has a hollow core instead of a solid core.
Air Diffuser: An air distribution outlet designed to direct airflow into desired patterns,
usually placed in the ceiling, generally of circular, square or rectangular
shape, and composed of divergent deflecting members.
Air Diffusion: Distribution of the air in a space by means of devices, called air terminal
devices, in a manner so as to meet certain specified conditions, such as
air change rate, pressure, cleanliness, temperature, humidity, air velocity
and noise level.
Air Distribution: The transportation of a specified air flow to or from the treated space or
spaces, generally by means of ductwork.
Air Exchange Rate: The rate at which outside air replaces indoor air in a space. (See also Air
Changes).
Air Filter: A device for cleaning air. There is a wide variety of mechanical filters
available, and the range of efficiencies runs from 10% for some types of
fiberglass through 99% HEPA filters. They work by arrestance, and their
efficiency is usually improved by spraying a light adhesive oil, or tacifier on
the filter. Electron filters also filter air. They work by charging dust with an
electric charge and then attracting the particles onto a collection plate.
Common filter materials are fiberglass, polyester, and cotton.
Air Flow: The movement of air -- typically defined as that within a defined volume
such as a room, duct or plenum.
Air Gap: The space between magnetic poles or between rotating and stationary
assemblies in a motor or generator.
Air Handler: The indoor part of a central air conditioning or heat pump system that
moves cooled or heated air throughout the ductwork of the building. An air
handler is usually a furnace or a blower coil. (See also Air-handling Unit).
Air Handling Unit (AHU): The component of HVAC system that is responsible for delivering air
through the system and may also clean heat or cool the air. Within the
AHU, a portion of the return air from the conditioned space is recirculated
and mixed with incoming outside air for conditioning and delivery to the
space, and the remainder is exhausted to the outside. AHU may be
designed to operate on 100% outside air for critical applications such as
operation theaters.
The AHU typically contains one or more supply and return fans for
maintaining air movement, heating/cooling coils, air filters to condition the
air and related equipment such as controls, condensate drain pans etc.
The cooling coil and other equipment, as necessary, are used to control
the moisture content of the air. The air handler units are available both in
Terms Description
standard and custom build units. Does not include ductwork, registers or
grilles, or boilers and chillers.
Air Infiltration: Leakage of air into rooms through cracks, windows, doors and other
openings
Air inlet: Inlets are apertures through which air is intentionally drawn from a
conditioned space. Grilles, diffusers and louvered openings can all serve
as inlets. Examples are return inlets at ceiling level and floor diffusers that
become return inlets for specially designed perimeter heating solutions for
open plenum designs. (See also Air Outlet).
Air Leakage Rating: The air leakage rating is a measure of how much air leaks through the
crack between the window sash and frame. The rating reflects the leakage
from a window exposed to a 25-mile-per-hour wind, and is measured in
cubic feet per minute per linear foot of sash crack.
Air Outlet: Outlets are apertures through which air is intentionally delivered into a
conditioned space. Grilles, diffusers and louvered openings can all serve
as outlets. Examples are floor and ceiling diffusers. (See also Air Inlet).
Air Passages: Openings through or within walls, through floors and ceilings, and around
chimney flues and plumbing chases that permit air to move out of the
conditioned spaces of the building.
Air Quality Standard: A government-mandated regulation that specifies the maximum
contaminant concentration beyond which health risks are considered to be
unacceptable.
Air Source Equipment: Heat pumps or air conditioners that use the outdoor air to transfer heat to
and from the refrigerant in the unit.
Air Supply Volume: The volume of supply air flowing through a cross sectional plane of a duct
per unit time. Calculated by multiplying air velocity by the cross sectional
area of the duct, measured in cubic feet per minute (cfm) or liters per
second (L/s).
Air Terminal Device: A device located in an opening provided at the boundaries of the treated
space to ensure a predetermined motion of air in this space.
Air Terminal Device, An air terminal device, usually in the form of a slot or combination of slots,
Lighting Troffer: designed for use with a troffer unit.
Air Terminal Device, Linear: Air terminal device (grille) with an aspect ratio of 10:1 or more.
Air Terminal Device, Slot: A device with one or several slots with an aspect ratio of 10:1 or more for
each slot (the aspect ratio is the ratio of the length to the width of the
closed rectangular opening). A slot may or may not have an adjustable
member to vary the direction of the air jet(s) or air flow rate.
Air Terminal Device, An air terminal device through which air enters a treated space. It usually
Supply: consists of one or several deflecting members, which ensure reduction of
the air velocity in the occupied zone as well as efficient mixing of the
supply air with the air in the treated space. Moreover supply air terminal
devices usually determine the direction of the air jet(s).
Air Velocity: The rate at which air travels in a given direction, measured as a distance
per unit time. The units used vary according to the scale of the
phenomenon. In the HVAC field, air velocity is commonly expressed as
feet per minute (fpm) or meters per second (m/s).
Air Standard Conditions: Conditions at which Btu ratings for summer air conditioning equipment is
rated; 95F dry bulb, 75F wet bulb at the condenser inlet and 80F dry
bulb, 67F wet bulb at the evaporator inlet.
Air Cooled Condenser: A heat exchanger used to remove the heat of compression plus the heat
of absorption of the refrigerant. The refrigerant is circulated in the rows of
copper tubes and is exposed to the surrounding air (usually forced air
through an axial fan). The copper tubes are bonded with aluminum fins to
increase the heat transfer area.
Airflow: The distribution or movement of air.
Air-Source: Air is being used as the heat source or heat sink for a heat pump.
Terms Description
Ak Value (of an air terminal Quotient obtained by dividing a measured air flow rate by a measured air
device): velocity according to a specific process and a specific instrument.
Algaecide: Normally in tablet form, placed in evaporator drain pan. Used to help slow
the growth of bacteria.
Allergens and Pathogens: A substance that causes an allergic reaction because of an individual's
sensitivity to that substance. The substance may be a biological material,
including bacteria, viruses, fungi, mold spores, pollens, skin flakes and
insect parts. When airborne, they are usually attached to dust particulates
of various sizes so that all sizes of airborne particulates may include them.
Allergic Rhinitis: Inflammation of the mucous membranes in the nose that is caused by an
allergic reaction
Alternating Current (AC): Flow of electricity that constantly changes direction between positive and
negative sides. Almost all power produced by electric utilities in the United
States moves in current that shifts direction at a rate of 60 times per
second.
Ambient Air: Air in the general surroundings of the space in question, whether an
external or internal space. Generally this refers to areas outside of work
locations for the building occupants
Ambient Temperature: Refers to air temperature. It usually means the outside air temperature.
Ambient Controls: A temperature control switch that will not allow the compressor to operate
below a predetermined set point. This control is often set at 55 degrees F
if you have an economizer.
Amorphous: Non-crystalline, having no molecular lattice structure which is
characteristic of the solid state. All liquids are amorphous. Amorphous
materials that are apparently solid, such as glass, silica gel, etc. lack a
definite crystal structure and a well defined melting point. These materials
are considered high viscosity liquids. Amorphous materials may be
strengthened, reinforced or tempered.
Amperage: Measurement of the amount of electrical energy that is flowing. One
ampere (1 A or Amp) of current is produced in a circuit by 1 volt acting
through a resistance of 1 ohm.
Amplification: An increase in the numbers or concentration of a microbe or its products
through reproduction and growth of the microbe.
Angstrom: A unit of length of one one-hundred-millionth (10-8) centimeter (or 10-10
meter or 10-7 mm). Used in stating dimensions of molecules, atoms and
atomic particles. A water molecule has an effective diameter of 3.2
angstroms.
Anhydrous: Descriptive of an inorganic compound that does not contain water either
adsorbed on its surface or combined as the water of crystallization. Dry
compound.
Anode Rod: A sacrificial rod composed of one or more metals installed in the water
heater that protects the tank from corrosion helping extend the life of the
tank
Anti Scald Valve: Device used to prevent high water temperature.
Antimicrobial: Agent that kills microbial growth.
Approved, Accepted: The terms approved and accepted typically mean to permit the use of
material, equipment, or methods conditional upon compliance with the
Contract Documents.
Approved Equal: The terms approved equal or approved equivalent typically mean
possessing the same performance qualities and characteristics and
fulfilling the same utilitarian function and approved by the Engineer.
APR: Air Purifying Respirator
ARI: Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) is a non-profit, voluntary
organization comprised of heating, air conditioning and refrigeration
manufacturers. ARI publishes standards for testing and rating heat pumps
and air conditioners to provide a standardized measure of comparison.
ARI ensures a level of quality within the industry.
Terms Description
Asbestos: A class of silicate minerals composed of long, thin fibers. Their use is
banned in most parts of the world due to health hazards associated with
its handling.
ASHRAE: A leading HVAC/R Association - American Society of Heating,
Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers - http://www.ashrae.org/. The
trade association provides information and sets standards for the industry.
ASME: American Society of Mechanical Engineers
At No Additional Cost: The phrase at no additional cost typically means at no additional cost to
the owner and at no additional cost to the engineer of construction.
Atmospheric Pressure: The weight of a 1 square inch column of the earth's atmosphere. At sea
level this pressure is 14.696 pounds per square inch.
Attrition (Desiccant): The loss of desiccant material due to chemical, physical or thermal
breakdown. The cause of the breakdown may be due to mechanical
agitation, thermal cycling or chemical action such as ion exchange or
deliquescent properties.
Authority Having The term authority having jurisdiction means federal, state, and/or local
Jurisdiction: authorities or agencies thereof having jurisdiction over Work to which
reference is made and authorities responsible for approving equipment,
installation and/or procedures.
Automatic Reset: A control that senses a condition such as temperature or pressure. The
control will turn the unit off if the temperature or pressure exceeds normal
limits. Once the condition that caused the unit to stop has changed to a
condition that is within the controls acceptable parameters, the unit will
automatically restart.
Auxiliary Heat: Also called back up heat. Auxiliary heat is the electric strip heaters in the
indoor unit that act as a supplement or back up to the heat pump unit.

BTU's: Unit of measure called "British Thermal Units". It's how we measure
cooling and heating components. Each 12,000 British Thermal Units
equals 1-ton of cooling or refrigeration.
Ball Valve A valve that checks flow by seating of a ball. Usually applied in pipes sizes
up to 4 and below.
Backflow: When water travels from one system back into any part of the main
distribution system
Backdrafting: A condition where the normal movement of combustion products from a
combustion appliance up a flue is reversed so that the combustion
products can enter the building. It is often caused by depressurization of
the room where the appliance is located.
Background Concentration: The level of a contaminant present before the introduction of a new
source.
Balance Point: The lowest outdoor temperature at which the refrigeration cycle of a heat
pump will supply the heating requirements without the aid of a
supplementary heat source. Usually a temperature between 30F to 45F
at which a heat pump's output exactly equals the heating needs of the
house. Below the balance point, supplementary electric resistance heat is
needed to maintain indoor comfort.
Balancing: The process of adjusting the flow of air in duct systems, or water flow in
chiller, hot-water heating or plumbing systems. Proper balancing is
performed using accurate instrumentation to deliver the right amount of
heating or cooling to each room of the space.
Barometer: An instrument for measuring atmospheric pressure.
BAS Building Automation See EMS, Energy Management System.
System:
Terms Description
BCHP: An acronym for "Buildings Cooling Heating and Power". A concept of
using thermally driven prime movers for HVAC equipment and power
generation to allow a building to operate independent of the electric power
grid. Recovered thermal energy is used by other equipment such as a
desiccant dehumidifier, or for heating a building space or water loop.
Together, the COP of the installed equipment is higher than that of the
prime mover.
Bels: The rating system by which air conditioner sound is measured. One bel is
equivalent to 10 dB. The higher the number, the greater the noise level.
The sound of a refrigerator running is rated at 7.0 bels.
Bimetal: Two metals with different rates of expansion fastened together. When
heated or cooled they will warp and can be made to open or close a switch
or valve.
Bio-aerosol: An airborne microbial contaminant, such as a virus, bacteria, fungus,
algae, protozoa, or particulate material associated with one of these
microorganisms.
Biocide: Substance or a chemical that kills organisms such as molds.
Biological Contaminants: Viruses, bacteria, fungi, mammal and bird antigens that are inhaled and
can cause many types of health effects including allergic reactions,
respiratory disorders, hypersensitivity diseases and infectious diseases.
Also referred to as "microbiologicals" or "microbials"
Blower: An air handling drum type fan for moving air in a distribution system.
Blowers v/s Fans: Blowers and fans both produce air movement.
Centrifugal blowers (sometimes called a squirrel cage) can produce higher
air pressures that make them suitable for duct systems. Axial fans
(resemble a propeller) are less expensive, and are usually used when you
have little resistance to airflow.
Blower Doors: Energy contractors use blower doors to see how much air leaks through
windows, doors, and other places in your house. The blower door is a
large board that blocks the front door of your house. The size and
complexity of the fan varies, but all blower doors have adjustable frames
around the fan so that they can fit snugly into most doorways.
A large powerful variable-speed fan installed in the door blows air into
(pressurizes) or sucks air out (depressurizes) a house. Strong draft is
created wherever the air is leaking in or out. This can help the contractor
locate the air leaks, and gives a good overall indication of how "leaky" a
house is.
Boiler Heating Surface: The area of the heat transmitting surfaces in contact with water (or steam)
in the boiler on one side and the fire or hot gases on the other.
Boiler Horse Power: The equivalent evaporation of 34.5 lbs. of water per hour at 212F to
steam at 212F. This is equal to a heat output of 33,475 Btu per hour,
which is equal to approximately 140 sq. ft. steam radiation (EDR)
Boiler: A closed vessel in which steam is generated or in which water is heated
by fire.
Boiling Point: The temperature at which the addition of any heat will begin a change of
state from a liquid to a vapor.
Boot: A piece of duct used to connect ducts with air terminal device such as
registers.
Breathing Zone: Areas of a room in which occupants breathe as they stand, sit, and lie
down.
BRI (Building-Related A discrete, identifiable disease or illness that can be traced to a specific
Illness): pollutant or source within a building. (e.g., Legionnaire's disease,
hypersensitivity pneumonitis).
Terms Description
BTU (British Thermal Unit): 1) BTU is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 lb of
water by 1F. In air-conditioning terminology 12,000 Btu of heat extraction
per hour is equivalent to 1 ton of refrigeration.
2) A standard measure of heat energy in the US commonly used to
measure the energy content of various fuels and steam.
3) One Btu is equivalent to 252 calories, 778 foot-pounds, 1055 joules,
and 0.293 watt-hours.
BTUH (British Thermal Unit Establishes a time reference to Btu input or output rates. A Btu per hour is
Per Hour): how many BTUs are used per hour.
Buffer zone: An area within the home between the conditioned zones and the outside.
This area is not conditioned (for instance, attics, attached garages,
crawlspaces, basements, and enclosed porches).
Building Automation The Building Automation System (BAS) is a direct digital control (DDC)
Systems (BAS): based automation system that allows the building owner/operator, to
completely manage the facility i.e., HVAC control, lighting control, fuel
monitoring, security management, access control, intrusion detection and
system integration from a single point of control. The BAS will also
schedule occupancy and control sequences to take advantage of energy
savings.
Building Energy Efficiency The building codes and energy standards published by the Federal
Standards: Department of Energy (DOE) and adopted by state or other jurisdictions to
control local construction activity (for instance California Code of
Regulations, Title 24, Part 2, Chapter 2-53, provides guidelines for energy
efficiency of buildings constructed in California) (See also Model Code
Regulations).
Building Envelope: The parts of the building: all external building materials, windows, and
walls that enclose the building's internal space.
Burner: A heat producing device where the flame or heat is produced
Butane: A hydrocarbon gas found in the earth along with natural gas and oil.
Butane turns into a liquid when put under pressure. It is sold as bottled
gas. It is used to run heaters, stoves and motors, and to help make
petrochemicals.
Butterfly Valve: A valve that consists of a disc that turns and acts as throttle. Typically
applied in sizes above 2 inches.
Buy/Sell; Rebate Program: A program under which an energy marketer buys the gas for you at a
market price and then provides it for delivery to you at the approved utility
price. If the price paid by the energy marketer for gas is lower than the
approved utility price, the difference produces savings which the energy
marketer may pass on to you in the form of a rebate check.

Cable Management: Addresses the distribution, routing and overall organization of cable
networks installed in underfloor plenums. Raised floors came into
widespread use as a means of containing and concealing the extensive
cabling of typical voice, power and data systems, and are now a common
feature in contemporary office buildings.
CAE): Combined Annual Efficiency (CAE) is a measure of the amount of heat
produced for every dollar of fuel consumed for both home heating and
water heating.
Calorie: One energy calorie is equivalent to 4.2 joules. It takes 500,000 calories of
energy to boil a pot of coffee. One food calorie equals 1,000 energy
calories.
Capacitor: A device used to start a motor or compressor (or to keep it running after
start up). For big installations, the capacitors are used for power factor
improvement of the electrical system.
Terms Description
Capacity (or System The output of a piece of cooling or heating equipment. Cooling and
Capacity): heating capacity are normally referred to in BTUs. The capacity of an air
conditioner is measured by the amount of cooling it can do when running
continuously.
The total capacity is the sum of the latent capacity (ability to remove
moisture from the air) and sensible capacity (ability to reduce the dry-bulb
temperature). Each of these capacities is rated in BTUs per hour (Btu/h).
The capacity depends on the outside and inside conditions. As it gets
hotter outside (or cooler inside) the capacity drops. The capacity at a
standard set of conditions is often referred to as "tons of cooling." One ton
of cooling is equivalent to heat extraction rate of 12,000 BTUs per hour.
Capillary Tube: A refrigerant control consisting of a small diameter tube which controls
flow by restriction. They are carefully sized by inside diameter and length
for each particular application.
Carbon Dioxide: (CO2) A colorless, odorless, non-poisonous gas that is a normal part of the
air. In the indoor spaces, the CO2 is primarily released through respiration.
The ASHRAE ventilation standard on indoor air quality limits the
concentration of CO2 to 1,000 ppm maximum.
Carbon Monoxide: (CO) An odorless, colorless, poisonous and flammable gas that is the product of
incomplete fuel combustion as a result of deficient air or improper air-fuel
mixture. Sources include cooling and heating appliances, boilers, tobacco
smoke, and entrained exhaust from parking garages and truck idling
areas.
Carboxyhemogoblin Carbon monoxide poisoning.
Saturation:
Carcinogen: An agent suspected or known to cause cancer (Fiberglass acoustic
insulation)
Ceiling Plenum: The open space between the suspended and structural ceiling used as
part of the air distribution system that accommodates the mechanical and
electrical equipment. This space usually accommodates electrical,
communications and mechanical connections. The space is kept under
negative pressure.
Ceiling-Based Systems: A ceiling-based air distribution system supplies air to, and removes air
from, a conditioned space at ceiling level. Both supply and return grilles
are located in the ceiling plane, above which there will be a ceiling plenum
of sufficient depth to accommodate the extensive supply ductwork, as well
as other building services. Relying on the principle of mixing-type air
distribution, ceiling-based supply and return systems are designed to
condition the entire volume of the space (floor-to-ceiling), thereby
providing a single uniform thermal and ventilation environment. This
control strategy provides no opportunity to satisfy different thermal
preferences among the building occupants.
Celsius: A temperature scale based on the freezing (0 degrees) and boiling (100
degrees) points of water. Abbreviated as C in second and subsequent
references in text. Formerly known as Centigrade. To convert Celsius to
Fahrenheit, multiply the number by 9, divide by 5, and add 32. For
example: 10 degrees Celsius x 9 = 90; 90 / 5 = 12; 18 + 32 = 50 degrees
Fahrenheit.
Centigrade: A temperature scale with the freezing point of water at 0 and the boiling
point at 1,000 at sea level.
Central Air Conditioner A large air conditioning system that is centrally located and produces cold
System (Central Chiller water, which is pumped through the building. The cold water goes through
System): cooling coils in each store or office, which cools the air and removes
humidity. Air filtering is often done at the central plant.
Central Air Handling Unit This is the same as an Air Handling Unit, but serves more than one area.
(Central AHU):
Central Forced-Air Heating A piece of equipment that produces heat in a centralized area, then
System: distributes it throughout the home through a duct system.
Terms Description
Centrifugal Fan: A device that draws air in axially and discharges it radially.
Ceramic: Ceramics are made from molten masses of raw materials usually requiring
the application of high temperature under controlled conditions in an oven
or furnace in order to produce the final properties required for use as an
engineering material. The bases of most ceramics are hydrous
aluminosilicates. Other raw materials include anhydrous aluminosilicates
containing potassium, sodium and calcium. Ceramic filaments or fibers are
used to reinforce other materials and to form structural shapes.
CFC: (Chlorofluorocarbons A class of refrigerants- Generally refers to the Chlorofluorocarbon family of
or Chlorinated refrigerants. Sometimes called Freons.
Fluorocarbons) CFCs have been used as refrigerants, solvents and in the production of
foam material in great quantities in industry and in consumer products.
CFCs when released into the air result in reduction of the stratospheric
ozone layer, which protects the Earth's surface from harmful effects of
radiation from the sun. The 1987 Montreal protocol on CFCs seeks to
reduce their production by one-half by the year 1998. The 1990 CLEAN
AIR ACT includes provisions for reducing releases (emissions) and
eliminating production and use of these ozone-destroying chemicals.
CFM: (Cubic Feet per The amount of air, in cubic feet, that flows through a given space in one
Minute) minute. 1 CFM equals approximately 2 liters per second (l/s). The higher
the number, the more air is being forced through the system. A standard
unit delivers typically 400 CFM per ton of air conditioning.
Change Orders: Change orders (change bulletins) are issued changes or amendments to
the Contract Documents. Change orders are issued in written and/or
drawing form after acceptance or signing of the Contract.
Charge: Amount of refrigerant placed in a refrigerating unit.
Check Valve: A valve designed to permit flow in one direction only. Also known as non-
return valve or backflow preventer.
Chemical Sensitization: Chemical Sensitization is health related phenomenon characterized by
effects such as dizziness, eye and throat irritation, chest tightness, and
nasal congestion that appear whenever some people are exposed to
certain chemicals. People may react to even trace amounts of chemicals
to which they have become "sensitized."
Chilled Water System: There are two types of central air conditioning systems: Direct Expansion
(DX) type of central air condition plants and chilled Water type of the
central air conditioning plants. In the DX system the air used for cooling
the room or space is directly passed over the cooling coil of the
refrigeration plant. In case of the chilled water system the refrigeration
system is used to first chill the water, which is then used to chill the air
used for cooling the rooms or spaces.
Chiller: A device that produces chilled water to provide air conditioning for large
buildings or cooling for process applications. Chiller cools water, usually to
between 40 and 50F for eventual use in cooling air.
Chiller and/or Boiler For facilities with multiple chillers and/or boilers, the most efficient units
Optimization: are selected to meet the existing load with minimum demand and or
energy.
Chiller Demand Limiting: The chiller electrical load is reduced at certain times to meet a maximum
pre-specified chiller kW load.
Churn Rate: This term (%/year) is used to describe the annual percentage of workers
and their associated work spaces in a building that are reconfigured or
have undergone significant changes.
With conventional ceiling-based HVAC systems changes in workspace
configurations can be restricted by the location of ceiling grilles. Due to the
higher cost associated with reconfiguring overhead ducted systems, these
changes are often not made.
Circuit: One complete run of a set of electric conductors from a power source to
various electrical devices (appliances, lights, etc.) and back to the same
power source.
Terms Description
Circuit Breaker: A device that opens an electric circuit when an overload occurs.
Class I Locations: Class I locations are those locations in which flammable gases or vapors
are or may be present in the air in quantities sufficient to produce
explosive or ignitable mixtures.
Class II Locations: Class II locations are those locations that are hazardous because of the
presence of combustible dust.
Class III Locations: Class III locations are those locations that are hazardous because of the
presence of easily ignitable fibers or flyings, but in which the fibers or
flyings are not likely to be in suspension in the air in quantities sufficient to
produce ignitable mixtures.
Clean Air Act: The clean air act establishes guidelines for reductions in air pollution. The
1990 Clean Air Act Amendments include revised provisions for attainment
and maintenance of National Ambient Air Quality Standards, mobile
sources, hazardous air pollutants, and other assorted air quality issues.
The act also specifically limits sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions
of power plants.
Clear Zone: During the placement of floor diffusers, a clear zone is typically defined as
an imaginary cylinder of specified diameter around the center point of the
diffuser. Clear zones are generally 0.9-1.8 m (3-6 ft) in diameter,
depending on manufacturer's data, and represent an area within which
long-term occupancy is not recommended.
Closed System: 1) A system where the incoming cold water supply has a device that will
not allow water to expand when heated (i.e. check valve, back flow
preventer, some pressure reducing valves)
2) A type of piping distribution system that is not open to atmosphere, for
example the chilled water system is a closed system while the cooling
water system using a cooling tower is an open system.
Clo Value: Insulation values for clothing ensembles from ASHRAE.
CO2 Sensor: Carbon dioxide sensor. A device for regulating fresh air. A better way to
control the amount of fresh air that is brought into the building. The CO2
sensor samples the air in the space and opens and closes the outside air
dampers to bring in more or less fresh air based on the amount of CO2.
Coanda Effect: Coanda effect is the phenomena in which a jet flow attaches itself to a
nearby surface and remains attached even when the surface curves away
from the initial jet direction. Applied to HVAC distribution systems, such as
diffusers, registers etc.
Codes: Building codes require, among other things, that we have a minimum
amount of outside air for each person. Usually this is around 10 to 12
cubic feet per minute (CFM) per person. Sometimes the CFM is based on
the square feet of the building.
Coefficient of Performance: A ratio of the heating capacity in watts [W] to the power input values in
watts [W] at any given set of rating conditions expressed in watts/watts
[W/W]. For heating COP, supplementary resistance heat shall be
excluded. (See also COP).
Cogeneration: Simultaneous production of two or more forms of useable energy from a
single fuel source, e.g., heat energy and electrical or mechanical power, in
the same facility. Because a typical cogeneration facility uses thermal
energy which is generally vented in a traditional power plant, the process
can be 50 to 70 percent more efficient. Most cogeneration systems are
designed to simultaneously produce electric power and thermal heat for
industrial processes or the heating and cooling of buildings.
Coil: A cooling or heating element, often including fins, through which treated
gas or liquid is passed, exchanging thermal energy with air surrounding it
for heating or cooling. A direct expansion (DX) system uses coil tubes
filled with refrigerant while chilled water system uses coil tubes filled with
chilled water. Cooling coil is also called evaporator coil. Heat rejection coil
is called condenser coil.
Terms Description
Coil Cleaning: Air conditioning coils are heat exchangers. The evaporator and
condensing coils need to be cleaned periodically. You can simply brush
clean the coils, clean the coils with a hand sprayer with chemical cleaners
or use power sprayers with chemical cleaners.
Colony Forming Unit: (CFU) A laboratory measure of fungal concentration, indicating the quantity of
viable organisms collected for a given unit sample.
Column Radiator: A type of direct heater.
Combination Foundations: Buildings constructed with more than one foundation type; e.g.,
basement/crawlspace or basement/slab-on-grade.
Combustion Blower: A motor-blower combination used to draw combustion gasses through the
heat exchanger and vent outside or into a chimney.
Combustion Chamber: The location where combustion takes place.
Comfort Conditioning: The process of treating air to simultaneously control its temperature,
humidity, cleanliness, and distribution to meet the comfort requirements of
the occupants of the conditioned space.
Comfort Zone: The range of temperatures, humiditys and air velocities at which the
greatest percentages of people feel comfortable.
Commercial Application: Water heaters used for more than a single family dwelling.
Commercial: The commercial sector is generally defined as non-manufacturing
business establishments, including hotels, motels, restaurants, wholesale
businesses, retail stores, and health, social, and educational institutions.
The utility may classify commercial service at all consumers whose
demand or annual use exceeds some specified limit. The limit may be set
by the utility based on the rate schedule of the utility.
Commissioning: An activity commenced at completion of construction and often including
initial user occupancy, intended to allow designers and managers to check
functional subsystems, to determine that the facility is functioning properly,
and to undertake any necessary remedial action.
The term commissioning is the methodical procedures and methods for
documenting and verifying the performance of HVAC systems so that the
systems operate in conformity with the design intent. Commissioning will
include testing; adjusting; balancing; documentation of occupancy
requirements and design assumptions; documentation of design intent for
use by contractors, owners, and operators; functional performance testing
and documentation necessary for evaluating the HVAC systems for
acceptance; adjusting the HVAC systems to meet actual occupancy needs
within the capability of the systems.
Commissioning does not include system energy efficiency testing or
testing of other building systems such as building envelope, structure,
electrical, lighting, plumbing, fire protection and life safety. The purpose of
commissioning of HVAC systems is to achieve the end result of a fully
functional, fine-tuned HVAC system.
Compressor: The heart of an air conditioning or heat pump system. The large part
(usually black) in the condenser (outdoor unit) that pumps refrigerant. The
compressor draws a low pressure refrigerant and compresses the gas into
the high pressure or condensing side of the cycle.
There are four types of compressors: reciprocating, rotary, scroll, and
centrifugal. Most residential systems have reciprocating compressors. The
reciprocating and scroll compressors are available up to 100 ton capacity.
For commercial applications screw compressor up to 750 tons and
centrifugal compressors up to 2,000 tons are widely used. From an energy
efficiency point of view, the centrifugal compressors are the best and
consume as low as 0.5 kWh per ton followed by screw 0.6 to 0.8 kWh per
ton and reciprocating 0.75 to 0.95 kWh per ton.
Terms Description
Compressor Oil: Lubricating oil used in compressors. Today the choices are MO, AB, POE,
PAG oil used in refrigeration units are specially prepared for refrigeration
use. Mineral-based oils are used for years with chlorine refrigerants. The
new oils are synthetic oils, and they are POL or Polyol Ester, PAG, or
Polyalkylene Glycol, and AB or Alkylbenzene.
Compression: The reduction of volume of a vapor or gas by mechanical means.
Compression Ratio: The ratio determined by dividing the discharge pressure, in PSI, by the
suction pressure in PSI.
Compressor - Start On larger compressors, sometimes you need a "boost" to get them
Capacitor: started. A compressor Start -capacitor, is a capacitor that has an
extremely high storage rating. When the compressor comes on, it assists
in starting it, and then a relay takes it out of the circuit.
Compressor - Run This is a large capacity run capacitor for a compressor motor. Works
Capacitor: exactly the same, but has a higher storage rating.
Condensate Drain Lines: This is the line that runs from the indoor unit to somewhere outside. It
carries the water that is condensed on the evaporator coil as it is removed
from the air in your home. This line is susceptible to clogging, and needs a
good cleaning once a year.
Condensate: 1) In steam heating, water formed by cooling steam as in a radiator. The
capacity of traps, pumps, etc. is sometimes expressed in lbs. of
condensate that can be handled per hour. One lb. of condensate per hour
is equal to approximately 4 sq.ft. of steam heating surface (240) Btu per
hour per sq.ft.
2) In chilled water or direct refrigerant cooling, the water is condensed on
the cooling (evaporator) coil. The condensate water is formed as a result
of moisture in air coming in contact with the apparatus at dewpoint
temperature.
Condensation Point: The temperature at which the removal of any heat will begin a change of
state from a vapor to a liquid.
Condenser: A device that transfers heat out of a refrigeration system to a medium
(either air, water, or a combination of air and water) that absorbs the heat
and transfers it to a disposal point. There are three types of condensers:
air-cooled condensers, water-cooled condensers, and evaporative
condensers.
The evaporative condenser uses a combination of air and water as its
condensing medium.
For small sizes, an air-cooled condenser is preferred. An air-cooled
condenser is also preferred where water is scarce, or cant be used due to
noise or health reasons of legionella disease. The air-cooled systems are
easy to install and are usually less expensive. The efficiency is relatively
poor as compared to water cooled condensers.
The water cooled condenser is considered for large applications; usually
over 100 tons. The heat is rejected in the condenser and further through
the cooling tower.
Condenser Approach The temperature difference between the condenser's refrigerant
Temperature: temperature and the leaving condenser water temperature. A high
approach indicates low condenser water leaving temperature, which
indicates fouling of the condenser tubes. This can significantly degrade
chiller efficiency.
Condenser Coil: The outdoor portion of an air conditioning or heat pump system that serves
as a heat transfer point for dispelling heat to the outside air, as in an air
conditioner or heat pump in the summer; or for collecting heat from the
outside air, as in a heat pump in the winter.
Also called the outdoor coil, this coil is placed outdoors. Refrigerant that
has collected heat from inside your home ends up in this coil. In the form
of hot gas, it is pumped through this coil at as much as 140 degrees. The
fan pulls air across the coil thus extracting heat from it. This is why you
feel "hot air" blowing off your outdoor A/C.
Terms Description
Condensing Medium: The substance, usually air or water, to which the heat in a condenser is
transferred.
Condensing Unit: The portion of a refrigeration system where the compression and
condensation of refrigerant is accomplished. Sometimes referred to as the
'high side'. This is the outdoor section of a split system air conditioning
system.
Conditioned: The term Conditioned usually means rooms, spaces, or areas that are
provided with mechanical heating and cooling.
Conditioned Air: The air that has been heated, cooled, humidified, or dehumidified to
maintain an interior space within the "comfort zone." Typically air-
conditioning is achieved in an AHU, by altering one or more of the
following properties: temperature, humidity, cleanliness (filtering), or
mixture of outside and recirculated air.
Conditioned Floor Area: The floor area of enclosed conditioned spaces on all floors measured from
the interior surfaces of exterior partitions for nonresidential buildings and
from the exterior surfaces of exterior partitions for residential buildings.
Conditioned Space: A space within a building served by an HVAC system supplying
conditioned air in order to achieve acceptable thermal comfort and indoor
air quality conditions.
Conditioned Space, An enclosed space that is provided with heating equipment that has a
Directly: capacity exceeding 10 Btus/ (hr-ft2), or with cooling equipment that has a
capacity exceeding 10 Btus/ (hr-ft2). An exception is if the heating and
cooling equipment is designed and thermostatically controlled to maintain
a process environment temperature less than 65 F or greater than 85F
for the whole space the equipment serves.
Conditioned Space, Enclosed space that: 1) has a greater area weighted heat transfer
Indirectly: coefficient (u-value) between it and directly conditioned spaces than
between it and the outdoors or unconditioned space;
(2) That has air transferred from directly conditioned space moving
through it at a rate exceeding three air changes per hour.
Conductance: The quantity of heat, in Btu's, that will flow through one square foot of
material in one hour, when there is a 1 degree F temperature difference
between both surfaces. Conductance can be expressed in other units as
well. Conductance values are given for a specific thickness of material, not
per inch thickness.
Conduction: The transfer of heat from molecule to molecule within a substance.
Configuration: This describes the direction in which a furnace outputs heat. A furnace
may have an upflow, down flow or cross flow (horizontal) configuration.
Confined Spaces: Confined spaces (according to OSHA Regulations) are spaces which must
have these three characteristics:
1. The space must be large enough and configured to permit personnel to
enter and work.
2. The space is not designed for continuous human occupancy.
3. The space has limited or restricted means of entry and exit.
Constant Air Volume An air handling system that provides a constant air flow while varying the
Systems: temperature to meet heating and cooling needs. Alternatively a variable air
volume (VAV) system can be employed in which the air flow volume is
varied, while the temperature remains constant.
Contactor: An electromagnetic actuated relay. Usually used to refer to the relay which
closes the circuit to a compressor or the main switch that turns the
condenser on.
Contaminant: An unwanted constituent that may or may not be associated with adverse
health or comfort effects.
Contract: A set of documents issued by the Owner for the Work, which may include
the Contract Documents, Confidentiality Agreement, the Advertisement,
Form of Proposal, Free Competitive Bidding Affidavit, Affidavit as to
Taxes, Certification of Bidder, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Forms,
Terms Description
Bid Bond, Agreement, Waiver of Right to File Mechanics Lien,
Performance Bond, Labor and Material mans Bond, Maintenance
Bond(s), Certification Regarding Lobbying, Disclosure Form to Report
Lobbying, and other forms that form part of the Contract as required by the
Owner and the Contract Documents.
Control Devices: The term control devices means the sensing and switching devices such
as thermostats, float and electro-pneumatic switches controlling the
operations of mechanical and electrical equipment.
Convection: The transfer of heat by a moving fluid.
Conventional Systems: A typical, conventional HVAC, (air distribution) system supplies air to, and
remove air from, a conditioned space at ceiling level. Both supply and
return grilles are located in the ceiling plane, above which there will be a
ceiling plenum of sufficient depth to accommodate the extensive supply
ductwork, as well as other building services. Relying on the principle of
mixing-type air distribution, ceiling-based supply and return systems are
designed to condition the entire volume of the space (floor-to-ceiling),
thereby providing a single uniform thermal and ventilation environment.
This control strategy provides no opportunity to satisfy different thermal
preferences among the building occupants. Essentially a constant air
volume (CAV) system.
Converter: A piece of equipment for heating water with steam without mixing the two.
Cooling Anticipator: A resistance heater (usually not adjustable) in parallel with the cooling
circuit. It is 'on' when the current is 'off", adding heat to shorten the off
cycle.
Cooling Capacity, Latent: Available refrigerating capacity of an air conditioning unit for removing
latent heat (moisture) from the space to be conditioned.
Cooling Capacity, Sensible: Available refrigerating capacity of an air conditioning unit for removing
sensible heat (temperature) from the space to be conditioned.
Cooling Capacity, Total: Available refrigerating capacity of an air conditioner for removing sensible
heat and latent heat from the space to be conditioned.
Cooling Capacity: A measure of the ability of a unit to remove heat from an enclosed space.
Cooling Degree Day: A unit of measure that indicates how heavy the air conditioning needs are
under certain weather conditions.
Cooling Load Temperature A value used in cooling load calculations for the effective temperature
Difference: (CLTD) difference (delta T) across a wall or ceiling, which accounts for the effect
of radiant heat as well as the temperature difference.
Cooling Load: 1) The rate at which heat must be extracted from a space in order to
maintain the desired temperature within the space. 2) In the context of
HVAC systems, the cooling load of a space is the amount of heat
generated within that space (from any source) which the HVAC system
must remove. Sources of heat in an office space typically include
occupants, electrical equipment, artificial lighting and solar radiation
through the building envelope.
Cooling System: A system of air-to-air, liquid-to-air, liquid-to-liquid heat exchangers, ducts
and/or pipes, etc. for removing heat from a system containing heat
sources, such as power plants, automobile engines, and homes.
Cooling Tower: A heat transfer device, which cools warm water using outside air. The
common terms used in cooling tower terminology are:
1) Approach = Leaving water temperature ambient wet bulb temperature
(usually 4 deg)
2) Range = Entering water temperature Leaving water temperature
(usually 8 to 16 deg)
3) Drift = Water loss through cooling tower shell usually 0.5 to 1%.
4) Evaporation = The water lost as a result of evaporative cooling (usually
1.5 to 2.5%)
5) Blow down = The water intentionally drained to maintain the water
chemistry.
Terms Description
COP: Rating used primarily in heat pumps.
Compares the heat produced by the heat pump to the heat you would get
from resistance heat. You can also multiply the EER by .293.
COPs vary with the outside temperature: as the temperature falls, the
COP falls also, since the heat pump is less efficient at lower temperatures.
ARI standards compare equipment at two temperatures, 47 F and 17F,
to give you an idea of the COP in both mild and colder temperatures.
Geothermal equipment is compared at 32F enter water temperature.
COP & HSPF cannot be compared equally. Air Source Equipment is rated
by HSPF or COP and Geothermal equipment is rated by COP.
Core Zone: Typically the area at the center of the floor plan containing the services
and circulation spaces -- such as the elevator shaft, fire escape stairs and
equipment room. The AHU is also often located in this zone.
Crankcase Heater: An electrical resistance heater that is used to keep the compressor warm.
The purpose of the heater is to keep any refrigerant in the compressor in a
vapor state. Crankcase heaters usually operate 100 percent of the time
and they protect the compressor by keeping liquid refrigerant out of the
compressor.
C-Trol: A method of control that prevents the formation of condensate at the point
of measurement (cold water pipe, bulkhead, etc.). Used in conjunction with
a DESICAiR dehumidifier.
Cubic Feet per Minute A common means of assigning quantitative values to volumes of air in
(CFM): transit, usually abbreviated as CFM.
Curb: An adapter for mounting a rooftop unit on a roof. The roof is flashed or
connected to the curb and the rooftop unit is placed on the curb with
gaskets.
Current: (Electric) A flow of electrons in an electrical conductor. The strength or rate of
movement of the electricity is measured, e.g., in amperes.
Cycle: The complete course of operation of a refrigerant back to a selected
starting point in a system. Also used to describe alternating current
through 360 space degrees.

Damper: Dampers are movable obstruction to airflow. In the open position they
pass maximum air and in the closed position they restrict the flow of air.
There is often a minimum position and this will allow a minimum of air to
pass providing a minimum amount of required ventilation.
Dampers are used effectively in zoning to regulate airflow to certain
rooms. There are basically two types of dampers: Manual and motorized.
A motorized damper is generally used in a zoned system to automatically
deliver conditioned air to specific rooms or zones. (See also Zoning).
DCV Demand Controlled DCV saves energy by ensuring that the proper amount of mechanical
Ventilation: ventilation is supplied by continuously monitoring spaces and occupancy
conditions by measuring CO2 concentrations. Significant energy can be
saved when used in conjunction with typical VAV designs.
DDC: Direct Digital Control
Decibel (dB): A decibel describes the relative loudness of a sound. Some common
sounds are fairly close to a typical air conditioner or heat pump's sound
level: human voice, 7.0 decibels; blender, 8.8 decibels.
Defrost Cycle: The process of removing ice or frost buildup from the outdoor coil during
the heating season.
Defrost: A cycle that only a heat pump has. When the heat pump is in heating
mode, the flow of refrigerant is reversed through the reversing valve. As
the outdoor coil is now the evaporator coil, water collects on it like it does
on the indoor coil. When temperatures fall below freezing, the water
freezes on the coil and a defrost cycle must melt it off. Most defrost cycles
are time initiated, about every 90 minutes of run time.
Terms Description
Degree Day: 1) A unit, based upon temperature difference and time, used in estimating
fuel consumption and specifying nominal annual heating load of a building.
When the mean temperature is less than 65F the heating degree days
are equal to the total number of hours that temperature is less than 65
degrees Fahrenheit for an entire year.
2) A unit which is the difference between 65 F and the daily average
temperature when the latter is below 65 F. The "degree days" in any one
day is equal to the number of degrees F that the average temperature for
that day is below 65F.
Degree Rise: Difference between the starting water temperature and the ending
temperature after heating is complete
Dehumidification: The removal of water vapor from air.
Dehumidification can be accomplished by cooling an air stream to below
its dew point temperature causing the condensation of vapor or by
desiccant adsorption/absorption resulting in removal of humidity from air in
the vapor phase.
Deliquescent: Tendency of a material to absorb atmospheric moisture (humidity) and
become liquid. The term deliquescent refers specifically to water-soluble
chemical salts (e.g. lithium chloride) in the form of powders that are
dissolved by the moisture absorbed from air.
Delta: (or Delta T) A difference in temperature. Often used in the context of the difference
between the design indoor temperature and the outdoor temperature.
Demand Billing: The electric capacity requirement for which a large user pays. It may be
based on the customer's peak demand during the contract year, on a
previous maximum or on an agreed minimum. Demand billing is measured
in kilowatts.
Demand: The rate at which electricity or natural gas is delivered to or by a system,
part of a system, or piece of equipment, e.g., to end users, at a given
instant or averaged over any designated period of time. Electricity demand
is typically expressed in kilowatts.
Demand Charge: The sum to be paid by a large electricity consumer for its peak usage
level.
Demand Limiting: Temporarily shedding electrical loads to prevent exceeding a peak value.
Density: Mass or weight per unit of volume. For example, standard air = .075
pounds per cubic foot.
Desiccant: Generally, a hygroscopic substance such as silica gel, molecular sieve,
activated alumina, etc. having the ability to adsorb moisture from air and
be reactivated (regenerated) by thermal or other means without loss of
physical properties.
The other category of absorbing materials is called Deliquescent which is
defined as tendency of a material to absorb atmospheric moisture
(humidity) and become liquid.
Desiccants are used to maintain a dry (dehumidified) air stream or
environment.
Desiccant Cooling: The use of desiccant dehumidification systems for latent heat (humidity)
removal in air conditioning systems in conjunction with sensible heat
transfer or evaporative cooling equipment to perform cooling without the
use of or with supplemental use of vapor compression equipment.
Desiccant cooling equipment is used to treat outdoor air by reducing both
sensible and latent (temperature and humidity) loads during cooling
seasons. Some systems also include winter heating and humidification
components for all season service.
Terms Description
Desiccant Passive or Static: The removal of moisture from air by exposing the humid
Dehumidification: air to a desiccant without the use of an air moving device. Once the
desiccant achieves moisture equilibrium with the ambient air, the
dehumidification process stops and the desiccant must be replaced with
active desiccant or removed and reactivated, e.g. packaged or "bagged"
desiccant placed in shipping containers for the purpose of preventing
moisture condensation during transit or storage; laboratory desiccators.
Desiccant Dynamic or Active: The removal of moisture from air by exposing the
Dehumidification: humid air to a desiccant with the use of an air moving device and a
concurrent reactivation (regeneration) process such as by applying
thermal heat or pressure swings. The reactivation process can be either
intermittent such as for "dual tower" dehumidifiers or concurrent and
continuous such as for "rotary" dehumidifiers.
Desiccant Ventilation: The removal of moisture from air by exposing the humid air to a desiccant
with the use of an air moving device and a concurrent reactivation
(regeneration) process which is solely dependent upon the difference in
the partial vapor pressure of moisture between the ventilation (outdoor) air
and exhaust air streams, e.g. an enthalpy wheel. Enthalpy wheels are
used to reduce the impact of ambient temperature and humidity of
ventilation air on cooling and heating systems. Increased rates of
ventilation air are recommended to maintain good Indoor Air Quality
(reference ASHRAE Standard 62-1989 currently under continuous
maintenance).
Design Conditions: Cooling loads vary with inside and outside conditions. A set of conditions
specific to the local climate are necessary to calculate the expected
cooling load.
Inside conditions of 75F and 50% relative humidity are usually
recommended as a guideline.
Outside conditions for a particular geographical location and topography
are selected for the 2.5% design point.
Designers: Architects, engineers, and other professionals responsible for making
technical recommendations about a facility's configuration, materials,
mechanical systems, and other characteristics that determine future
performance and cost.
Desorption: The removal (release) of adsorbed moisture from a desiccant.
Detailed: The term detailed is a cross-reference to graphic representations,
details, notes, or schedules on the Contract Drawings and to similar
means of recording requirements in the Contract Documents.
Dewpoint: The temperature at which an air sample is saturated with water vapor
(100% relative humidity). Cooling of the sample below the dewpoint
temperature would cause condensation of the water vapor to occur. The
more negative the dewpoint temperature is from the ambient temperature
the less the risk of condensation and the drier the gas or air stream.
Dew-Trac: A method of dehumidifier capacity control which assures a constant
dewpoint value at the point of measurement (return air, supply air,
room/space) in conjunction with a desiccant dehumidifier.
Dielectric: A nonconductor of direct electric current
Diffusers: A diffuser is the mechanical device that is designed to control the delivery
of air via a damper. Diffusers are used on both all-air and air-water HVAC
systems, as part of room air distribution subsystems, and serve several
purposes:
To deliver both conditioning and ventilating air
Evenly distribute the flow of air, in the desired directions
To enhance mixing of room air into the primary air being
discharged
Often to cause the air jet(s) to attach to a ceiling or other surface,
taking advantage of the Coand effect
To create low-velocity air movement in the occupied portion of
Terms Description
room
Accomplish the above while producing the minimum amount of
noise
Diffusers may be round, rectangular, textile or linear slot diffusers (LSDs),
for example. This last type takes the form of one or several long, narrow
slots (hence the name), often semi-concealed in a fixed or suspended
ceiling.
Occasionally, diffusers are used in reverse fashion, as air inlets or
'returns'. This is especially true for LSDs and 'perf' diffusers. But more
commonly, grilles are used as return or exhaust air inlets.
Dilution: A mitigation strategy that lowers the concentration of airborne
contaminants by increasing the fraction of outdoor air in the supply air
stream.
Dip Tube: Tube inside the water heater that sends cold water to the bottom of the
tank
Direct Current: (DC) Electricity that flows continuously in the same direction.
Direct Expansion: The direct expansion (DX) system refers to the cooling effect obtained as
(Refrigeration) a result of direct heat exchange of air and the refrigerant in the tubes of
the heat exchanger coil. The indirect system uses chilled water in place of
the refrigerant, i.e. refrigerant first cools the water and chilled water is
used to exchange heat with air.
Direct Gas-Fired Heater: The burner fires directly in the air stream being heated, rather than
through a heat exchanger. 100% of available BTUs are delivered to the
heated space because no flue or heat exchanger is required. This results
in no wasted energy.
Direct Vent: Pulls outside air for combustion and vents combustion gases directly
outside.
Direct-Return System (Hot A two-pipe hot water system in which the water, after it has passed
Water): through a heating unit, is returned to the boiler along a direct path so that
the total distance traveled by the water from each radiator is the shortest
feasible. There is, therefore, a considerable difference in the lengths of the
several circuits composing the system.
Discharge Line: A tube used to convey the compressed refrigerant vapor from the
compressor to the condenser inlet.
Discharge Pressure: The pressure read at the compressor outlet. Also called head pressure or
high side pressure.
Disinfectants: Antimicrobials are a disinfectant when it destroys or irreversibly inactivates
infectious or other undesirable organisms, but not necessarily their spores.
EPA registers 3 types of disinfectant products as either 1) Limited 2)
General or broad spectrum and 3) Hospital disinfectant.
Displacement Ventilation: In displacement ventilation systems (used for cooling only), low-velocity
supply air at a temperature below room temperature is introduced into the
occupied zone of a space at low level -- diffusers are usually configured as
large-area floor pedestals or low side-wall. By extracting air from the
space at ceiling level, an overall floor-to-ceiling air flow pattern is
produced. This upward movement of air in the room takes advantage of
the natural buoyancy of heat gain to the space. As air is heated and rises
into the region above the occupied zone, some of it exits the space with
only partial mixing with the room air.
Displacement ventilation systems aim to minimize mixing of supply air with
room air; therefore, maintaining conditions in the occupied zone as close
as possible to that of the conditioned supply air, leading to improved air
change effectiveness.
DOA Dedicated Outside Decoupling ventilation from heating/cooling can allow both to be optimized
Air: separately.
DOE: The Department of Energy. A federal agency that sets industry efficiency
standards and monitors the use of various energy sources.
Terms Description
Domestic Hot Water: Hot water used for purposes other than for house heating such as for
laundering, dishwashing, bathing, etc.
Double Glazing: Windows having two sheets of glass with airspace in between. The
airspace may be filled with inert gas.
Downflow Furnace: A furnace that pulls in cool return air from the top and blows/expels warm
air at the bottom. This is common where a furnace must be located in a
second-floor closet or utility area.
Draft Diverter: A device fitted in the flue way of a gas appliance to prevent updraft,
downdraft or the secondary flue blockage from obstructing the escape of
products of combustion or otherwise affecting the normal operation of the
appliance.
Draft: Movement of air causing undesirable local cooling of a body due to one or
more of the following factors: low air temperature, high velocity or
inappropriate air flow direction.
Drain pans/Drain lines: The condensate system uses a drain pan beneath the evaporator coil to
collect the condensate. The drain lines or drain piping is used to provide a
path for the water to flow away from the unit into an approved drain or
area.
Drain Tile Loop: A continuous length of drain tile or perforated pipe extending around the
internal or external perimeter of a basement or crawlspace footing.
Drain Trap: A dip in the drain pipe of sinks, toilets, floor drains, etc., which is designed
to stay filled with water, thereby preventing sewer gases from escaping
into the room.
Drain Valve: Device designed to allow drainage of stored contents from a water heater
Drawings (Documentation): The terms drawings mean all diagrams and details pertaining to the
construction or plans, sections, elevations, profiles, and details of the
Work contemplated and its appurtenances.
The term shop drawings includes drawings, diagrams, schedules,
performance characteristics, charts, brochures, catalog cuts, calculations,
certified drawings, and other materials prepared by the Contractor, Sub-
Contractor, Manufacturer, or Distributor ,which illustrate some portion of
the Work as per the requirements of the Contract Documents used by the
Contractor to order, fabricate and install mechanical and electrical
equipment and systems in a building.
Drier: Sometimes called filter/drier, it removes moisture and keeps the refrigerant
clean.
Dry Air: Air containing no moisture (humidity). Dry air is a mixture of several gases,
the composition of which varies with altitude and other conditions at the
point of measurement.
"Standard Air" used in scientific and HVAC calculations is dry air by
definition with a density of 0.075 lb/ft3 at 68F, 29.921" Hg (1.29 g/liter at 0
C, 760 mm Hg). However, dry air does not exist in nature due to
atmospheric moisture which directly affects the density of air.
In HVAC work, "dry air" is air referred to as air with a humidity value that is
lower then the ambient air. The degree of dryness is determined by
measuring and comparing relative humidity or dew point temperature of
the "dry" air and the ambient air.
Dry Bulb Temperature: A measure of the sensible temperature of air. (Temperature measured by
(DBT) an ordinary thermometer.)
Dry Return (Steam): A return pipe in a steam heating system which carries both water of
condensation and air located above the water line of the heating boiler.
Dry Handler: A desiccant dehumidifier module designed to be installed with other air
handling equipment. The unit includes the desiccant section housed in a
cabinet with service plenums, a reactivation heater or heat exchanger,
reactivation blower and controls.
Dual Element Heater: An electric water heater with an upper and lower element for heating
water.
Dual Fuel System: A dual heating system, for example a heat pump and a fossil fuel furnace.
Terms Description
Dual-Duct System: A central plant heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system
that produces conditioned air at two temperatures and humidity levels. The
air is then supplied through two independent duct systems to the points of
usage where mixing occurs.
Duct tape: For effective sealing the surface, a sticky tape is applied to seal the duct
connection. Duct tape has a tendency to lose adhesion with age,
especially when used on ducts in unconditioned spaces. Care must be
taken when it is applied.
Duct: A duct is an encased conduit, usually constructed of sheet metal and
having a round, square, or rectangular cross-section, through which air
moves around an HVAC system. Other types of duct construction include
fibrous glass ducts (rigid fiberglass with aluminum facing) and flexible
ducts (used to connect diffusers, mixing boxes, and other terminal units to
the air distribution system).
Ductwork: The duct work, or duct system, is similar to thin wall piping, and is used to
deliver conditioned air to the respective areas to be conditioned. The
system is designed to deliver the correct amount of air to each area.
The term ductwork includes ducts, fittings, flanges, dampers, insulation,
hangers, supports, access doors, housings, and all other appurtenances
comprising a complete and operable system. The ductwork typically
connects the air handling unit to supply, return and fresh ducts. The
terminal of the ductwork is connected to the grilles, diffusers and
registers/or registers. Ductwork can be exposed or concealed within floor
or ceiling plenums, services zones and plant rooms.
Dust: Particles in the air that settle on surfaces. Some settle quickly and can be
trapped by the body's defense mechanisms, while small particles are
capable of passing through the body's defenses and entering the lungs.
Duty Cycle: Duty Cycling Shutting down equipment for predetermined short periods
of time during normal operating hours.
DX System: There are two types of central air conditioning systems: Direct Expansion
(DX) type of central air condition plants and Chilled Water type of the
central air conditioning plants. In the DX system the air used for cooling
the room or space is directly passed over the cooling coil of the
refrigeration plant. In case of the chilled water system the refrigeration
system is used to first chill the water, which is then used to chill the air
used for cooling the rooms or spaces.

Economizer: Mechanical devices intended to reduce energy consumption. In simple

terms, an economizer is a heat exchanger. Air-side economizers can save
energy in buildings by using cool outside air as a means of cooling the
indoor space. Temperature control is achieved by mixing return air from
the building with the outdoor air to achieve the desired mixed air or supply
air temperature. In most cases, the process requires some sort of relief
system to allow the excess air brought into the building to exit without
creating a pressurization problem. The process must also be coordinated
with the ventilation requirements to ensure that there is always enough
outdoor air brought into the building to meet the ventilation requirements.
In addition, the control of the process must be coordinated with the other
heat transfer elements in the system like the preheat coil and cooling coil
to prevent energy waste.
When the outside air is both sufficiently cool and sufficiently dry, the
amount of enthalpy in the air is acceptable to the control and no additional
conditioning of it is needed. This portion of the air-side economizer control
scheme is called free cooling.
Air-side economizers can reduce HVAC energy costs in cold and
temperate climates while also potentially improving indoor air quality, but
are most often not appropriate in hot and humid climates.
It is commonly held that raising outdoor air flow rates to accommodate
Terms Description
indoor air quality needs will dramatically increase energy use because this
increased outdoor air must be conditioned. However, this conventional
wisdom ignores the dynamics of energy use of different systems during
different seasons. With the appropriate controls economizers can be used
in climates which experience various weather systems.
Economizer, Air: A ducting arrangement and automatic control system that allows a
heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system to supply up to
100 percent outside air to satisfy cooling demands, even if additional
mechanical cooling is required.
Economizer, Water: A system which uses either direct evaporative cooling, or a secondary
evaporative cooled water loop and cooling coil to satisfy cooling loads,
even if additional mechanical cooling is required.
EER: (Energy Efficiency 1) A ratio calculated by dividing the cooling capacity in Btu's per hour
Ratio) (Btuh) by the power input in watts under ARI-specified test conditions,
expressed in Btuh per watt (Btuh/watt).
2) The rating that Underwriter Laboratories (UL) gives each unit when it is
tested for compliance with energy laws. It is, in fact, the rating of the
equipment.
3) EER & SEER cannot be compared equally. Air source equipment is
rated by SEER and geothermal equipment is rated by EER. EER changes
with the inside and outside conditions, falling as the temperature
difference between inside and outside gets larger.
Effective Area: (of an air The smallest net area of an air terminal device used by the air stream in
terminal device) passing through the air terminal device.
Effective Temperature: An arbitrary concept which combines into a single value the effect of
temperature, humidity, and air movement as sensed by the human body.
Efficiency: A products ability to utilize input energy; expressed as a percentage.
Electric Radiant Heating: A heating system in which electric resistance is used to produce heat
which radiates to nearby surfaces. There is no fan component to a radiant
heating system.
Electric Rate Schedule: A statement of the electric rate and the terms and conditions governing its
application, including attendant contract terms and conditions that have
been accepted by a regulatory body with appropriate oversight authority.
Electric Resistance Heater: A device that produces heat through electric resistance. The heat can be
transferred through a fan or may flow with natural convection.
Electric Strip Heater: An electric resistance heater usually installed in the duct system.
Sometime electric strip heaters are the sole source of heat, and in some
cases they provide supplemental heating.
Electrostatic Air Cleaner: A device that uses an electrical charge to trap particles traveling in the air
stream.
Emergency Heat: The back up electric heat built into a heat pump system. The same as an
(Supplementary Electric auxiliary heater, except it is used exclusively as the heat source when the
Heat) heat pump needs repair.
Emission Standard: A voluntary guideline or government regulation that specifies the
maximum rate at which a contaminant can be released from a source.
Emissivity: The ability of a material to re-radiate heat. E=1.00 implies all heat is re-
radiated, E=0 implies no heat is re-radiated. Shiny metals have a low
emissivity. Most building materials have an emissivity around 0.90.
EMS (Energy Management A system that is designed to reduce energy costs. It can be as simple as a
System): night setback thermostat or motion sensor lighting control, or more
complicated such as measuring the amount of carbon monoxide in the air
and regulating the outside air or fresh air intake to the building. Some EMS
will monitor current consumption to a building. They will shed (turn off)
loads such as the HVAC for short periods of time. The EMS will then shut
off another unit before restarting the last one turned off. This will reduce
the electric demand peaks in energy consumption, which many electric
utilities use to penalize the customer.
Terms Description
Encapsulate: Complete and total covering or surrounding of one material by another.
The encapsulated material can be neither seen nor felt at the surface of
the finished product.
A mitigation technique that reduces or eliminates emissions from a source
by sealing with an impenetrable barrier.
Endotoxin: A biological agent that is part of the outer membrane of some bacteria.
Endotoxins are highly toxic, capable of causing fever, malaise, respiratory
distress, even death.
Energy Efficiency: Refers to programs that are aimed at reducing the energy used by specific
end-use devices and systems, typically without affecting the services
provided. Such savings are generally achieved by substituting technically
more advanced equipment to produce the same level of end-use services
(e.g. lighting, heating, motor drive) with less electricity. Examples include
high-efficiency appliances, efficient lighting programs, high-efficiency
heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems or control
modifications, efficient building design, advanced electric motor drives,
and heat recovery systems.
Energy Efficiency Ratio A ratio of the Cooling Capacity in Btu/h to the power input values in watts
(EER): at any given set of rating conditions expressed in Btu/Wh. It applies to
equipment exceeding 65,000 Btu/h capacities.
Energy Guide Label: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires that gas, electric and oil
residential automatic storage water heaters be labeled to show:
1) an estimated annual cost of operation for that particular model, based
on a national average cost of fuel specified by FTC, and
2) how the efficiency of that model compares to all other comparable
models
Energy Management A control system (often computerized) designed to regulate the energy
System: consumption of a building by controlling the operation of energy
consuming systems, such as the heating, ventilation and air conditioning
(HVAC), lighting and water heating systems. Also termed as Building
Automation Systems (BAS) or Building Management Systems (BMS).
Energy Recovery Ventilator This device preheats incoming outside air during the winter and pre-cools
(ERV): incoming air during the summer to reduce the impact of heating and or
cooling the indoor air. This means that smaller capacity heating and
cooling systems can be used in homes, which results in lower installation
costs, lower peak demand for energy, and lower operating costs.
Energy Use: A term referring to the total energy used by a system in the course of its
operation. In the context of HVAC this would include energy used by
components such as fans, refrigeration and heating equipment, cooling
towers, and pumps.
Energy: Broadly defined, is the capability of doing work.
Enthalpy: A thermodynamic property of a substance defined as its internal energy.
Formerly called "total heat" or "heat content". Enthalpy refers to the total
value of sensible plus latent heat or energy. Unit of measurement is Btu/lb.
In psychrometrics, it is expressed as Btu/lb. of moist air. Symbol: h.
Enthalpy Sensor: Total heat sensor. A device for measuring the temperature and humidity of
air. The higher the humidity at a given temperature, the greater the total
heat of the air. The values of air temperature and the amount of water
converted to BTUs are combined for the total heat content of the air.
Entrainment: Air discharged from an outlet creates a swirling, jet, or other air motion that
pulls (entrains) the surrounding air into its path where it mixes with the
supply air. (See also Secondary Air Motion).
Envelope: The geometrical surface of the points of an air jet, corresponding to a
determined value of the measured air velocity. This velocity is generally
called "terminal velocity". Also, the air barrier that separates the
conditioned space from the outside and from unconditioned spaces like
attics and garages.
Terms Description
Environmental Agents: Conditions other than indoor air contaminants that cause stress, comfort,
and/or health problems (e.g., humidity extremes, drafts, lack of air
circulation, noise, and over-crowding).
EPA: Environmental Protection Agency (http://www.epa.gov). EPA is a federal
agency, which administers federal environmental policies, enforces
environmental laws and regulations, performs research, and provides
information on environmental subjects.
EPA Refrigerant Rules: Set of rules to reduce chlorine releases and protect ozone in the
stratosphere. Proper use of refrigerant rules including no venting of
refrigerants. Manufacturing phase-out of refrigerants containing chlorine
has been completed in developed countries.
EPA Technician Technicians are required to pass a test specific to the type of equipment
Certification: they service. The test is about proper usage of refrigerants. The three
classifications are Small Appliance, High-Pressure Systems, and Low-
Pressure Systems. Sometimes known as the CFC test.
Epidemiological: Dealing with the scientific study of the incidence, control, and spread of
disease in a population.
Equivalent Direct Radiation See Square Foot of Heating Surface.
(E.D.R.):
Equivalent Length: That length of straight tubing which has the same pressure drop as the
fitting, valve or accessory (of the same nominal size) being considered.
Ergonomics: The science that investigates the impact of people's physical environment
on their health and comfort (e.g., chair design, monitor location, desk
configuration or height, etc.)
ERV: (Energy Recovery This device preheats incoming outside air during the winter and pre-cools
Ventilator) incoming air during the summer to reduce the impact of heating and or
cooling the indoor air. This means that smaller capacity heating and
cooling systems can be used in homes, which results in lower installation
costs, lower peak demand for energy, and lower operating costs.
Evaporative Cooler: A type of cooling equipment that turns air into moist, cool air by saturating
the air with water vapor. It does not cool air by use of a refrigeration unit.
This type of equipment is commonly used in warm, dry climates.
Evaporative Cooling: The cooling effect of vaporization of a liquid in a moving air stream.
Evaporator Approach The temperature difference between the evaporators refrigerant
Temperature: temperature and the leaving chilled water temperature.
Evaporator Coil: The part of a heat pump or air conditioning system that is located inside
the house in the air handler. It is here that the refrigerant evaporates as it
absorbs heat from the air that passes over the coil. The air leaving the coil
is cooled and dehumidified at the apparatus dewpoint of roughly ~52F.
Also called the cooling coil or indoor coil.
Evaporator Superheat: The actual temperature of the refrigerant vapor at the evaporator exit as
compared to the saturated vapor temperature indicated by the suction
pressure.
Evaporator: A coil that absorbs heat in the air/water passing over it by evaporating
refrigerant inside the piping.
Exfiltration: The uncontrolled, unintentional, flow of inside air out of a building. This
can occur through cracks in any building component, around openings that
are not airtight, and during the everyday use of windows and doors. Like
natural ventilation, infiltration is caused by differences in air-pressure or
density between inside and outside. (See also Infiltration).
Generally, exfiltration is considered desirable as long as it is not
excessive, especially in contrast to infiltration.
Exhaust Air Flow Rate: Volume of air leaving an exhaust air terminal device within a time unit.
Exhaust air: The air extracted from a space and discharged to the outdoors. This is
distinct from air extracted from one space and sent to another, or
recirculated within the HVAC system.
Terms Description
Exhaust air Ductwork: The term exhaust air ductwork means all ductwork carrying air from a
room, space, area, or equipment to a fan and then discharged to the
outdoors. Exhaust air ductwork extends from the registers, grilles,
equipment, or other exhaust openings to the fan and from the fan to the
outdoor discharge point.
Exhaust Opening, or Inlet: Any opening, a grille for example, through which air is removed from a
space.
Exhaust Ventilation: Mechanical removal of air from a portion of a building. Air removed
deliberately from a space, by a fan or other means, usually to remove
contaminants from a location near their source. The air flow leaving the
treated space.
Exhaust may be accomplished by one or more of the following methods:
a) Extraction: exhaust in such a manner that the air is discharged into the
atmosphere, b) Relief: exhaust in such a manner that the air is allowed to
escape from the treated space if the pressure in that space rises above a
specified level, c) Recirculation: exhaust in which the air is returned to the
air treatment system, d) Transfer: exhaust in which air passes from the
treated space to another treated space.
Expansion Device: A thermal expansion valve (often abbreviated as TEV, TXV or TX valve) is
a component in refrigeration and air conditioning systems that control the
amount of refrigerant flow into the evaporator.
A basic refrigeration cycle consists of four major elements, a compressor,
a condenser, a metering device and an evaporator. A thermal expansion
valve is a key element to a refrigeration cycle; the cycle that makes air
conditioning, or air cooling, possible. As a refrigerant passes through a
circuit containing these four elements, air conditioning occurs. The cycle
starts when refrigerant enters the compressor in a low pressure, low
temperature and gaseous form. The refrigerant is compressed by the
compressor to a high pressure and temperature gaseous state. The high
pressure and temperature gas then enters the condenser. The condenser
precipitates the high pressure and temperature gas to a high temperature
liquid by transferring heat to a lower temperature medium; usually ambient
air. The high temperature liquid then enters the expansion valve where the
TX valve allows a portion of the refrigerant to enter the evaporator. In
order for the higher temperature fluid to cool, the flow must be limited into
the evaporator to keep the pressure low and allow expansion back into the
gas phase. Expansion valve reduces the pressure and temperature of the
refrigerant and allows the regulated flow of the refrigerant to the
evaporator.
Thermal expansion valves are often referred to generically as "metering
devices".
Expansion Tank: A tank designed to absorb excess pressure due to thermal expansion, e.g.
closed system.
External Static Pressure: The sum of the static and velocity pressures of a moving air system at the
point of measurement.
Exposed: The term exposed means not concealed. Usually used in conjunction to
the ductwork, pipe work or equipment without insulation or not placed in a
concealed mechanical room.

Fahrenheit: A temperature scale with the freezing point of water 32 F and the boiling
point 212 F at sea level.
To convert Fahrenheit to Celsius, the relation is C/5 = (F-32)/9; for
example 77F is equivalent to 25C.
Fan: A device that produces a pressure difference in air to move it.
Fan Cycling: The use of a pressure control to turn a condenser fan on and off to
maintain a correct pressure within the system.
Terms Description
Fan Laws: A family of mathematical relationships that allows the calculation of new
operating characteristics from known system conditions.
Fan - Run Capacitor: A small component that assists the fan motor in starting and running
efficiently. Capacitors create a sort of "lead voltage" that helps to "draw"
the motor along. Most fan motors will not run without one. They are small
and usually made of a silver metal.
Fan Coil Unit (FCU): An indoor component of a heat pump system used in place of a furnace to
provide additional heating on cold days when the heat pump does not
provide adequate heating. A component of a heating, ventilation and air
conditioning (HVAC) system containing a fan and heating or cooling coil,
used to distribute heated or cooled air.
Fan Relay: A magnetic control relay located in the indoor unit that operates the fan for
the indoor blower system.
Fan Terminal Unit: A compartment containing an integral fan that delivers a constant volume
of air to the space. These units are often used as part of a perimeter zone
heating solution in open plan underfloor plenums. Room air from one or
more controlled floor diffusers is ducted to the inlet of the unit, which in
turn discharges the air through another set of ducted diffusers to the room.
In this case, a heating coil is added to the discharge of the unit. (See also
Fan Coil Unit).
Fan-powered Mixing Box: A compartment containing an integral fan that mixes two air supplies
before being discharged. In underfloor applications, these boxes may be
configured as having one ducted inlet supplying room or return air, for
example, to be mixed with plenum air entering the box through an un-
ducted opening. A reheat coil can be added to the discharge of the unit.
Feet per Minute (FPM): A term assigned to a velocity of a moving air stream, usually expressed as
FPM. The main duct air velocity is generally 1500 to 2000 FPM and the
cooling coil face area is calculated at 500 FPM velocity.
Fiberglass: A fine amorphous, brittle, and usually transparent filament. A material
made up of fine filaments.
Fibrous Duct: The kind of duct that was most popular in the 1970's and 80's. This is
square or rectangular, and must be "crafted" into shape. This type of duct
exists in many homes today.
Filter: A device for removing dust particles from air or unwanted elements from
liquids.
Filter-Dryer: A refrigeration piping component that will act not only as strainer for
removing physical contaminates but will also remove water and in some
applications, acid.
Fins: Fins are thin strips of metal (usually aluminum) attached to tubing (usually
copper) in air conditioning coils. There are approximately eight to fourteen
fins or thin strips of metal per inch of tubing. They provide additional
surface to absorb or reject heat.
Fire Dampers: (or Fire Components which are installed in an air distribution system between two
Valves) fire separating compartments and are designed to prevent propagation of
fire and/or smoke. Generally are kept open by mechanical restraint whose
effect is canceled under specific conditions. The valve is then closed
automatically.
First Costs: The initial costs involved in a building project, typically incurred during the
construction and installation stages.
First Hour Delivery (Rating): Combination of the usable stored volume of hot water in tank, plus the
recovery capacity for the first hour of operation
Flame Roll-Out: A dangerous situation that occurs when flame is pushed out of the bottom
of a combustion appliance. It can lead to fires.
Flash Gas: Instantaneous evaporation of some liquid refrigerant at the metering
device due to pressure drop which cools the remaining liquid refrigerant to
the desired evaporation temperature.
Terms Description
Flex Duct: A very efficient round flexible duct that is both pre-insulated and easy to
work with in tight places. Air flow is better in round conduits, making
flexible duct the natural choice.
Usually installed in a single, continuous piece between the register and the
plenum box. A flexible duct usually has an inner lining and an insulated
coating on the outside.
Float Trap: A steam trap which is operated by a float. When enough condensate has
drained (by gravity) into the trap body, the float is lifted which in turn lifts
the pin off its seat and permits the condensate to flow into the return until
the float has been sufficiently lowered to close the port. Temperature does
not effect the operation of a float trap.
Floor-to-Floor Height: The vertical height between the finished-floor level of a space in a multi-
story building and that of the floor immediately above or below it.
Flow Coefficient: A dimensionless parameter relating air velocity to fan tip velocity. It is used
to determine the approximate fan width for centrifugal impellers.
Flow Control Valve: Device designed to reduce water flow (GPM) to a chilled water coil or a
plumbing fixture (i.e. shower head at 5 GPM vs. 2.5 GPM). The use of flow
control valves can be cost effective in load calculations, thereby reducing
the water usage.
Flow Hood: A diagnostic tool used to measure air flow through ducts, supply registers,
and return grilles. Device that easily measures airflow quantity, typically up
to 2,500 cfm.
Flow Rate: Rating in gallons per minute (GPM) or gallons per hour (GPH).
Flue Baffle: A device to deflect, check or regulate flow through the flue.
Flue Damper: Minimizes convective heat loss through venting system.
Flue: A passage way for products of combustion.
Foam Insulation: The insulation surrounding the surface of the water heater tank.
Follow-Up Testing: The testing designed to confirm the results of the initial testing using
identical testing devices and similar test conditions.
Foot Print: The area of space taken up by the water heater.
Forced Air Unit (FAU): A central furnace equipped with a fan or blower that provides the primary
means for circulation of air.
Forced Air: This describes a type of heating system that uses a blower motor to move
air through the furnace and into the ductwork.
Forced Ventilation: A term used to describe the use of fans and intake/exhaust vents to
mechanically distribute ventilation and other conditioned air throughout a
building. Buildings operating forced ventilation systems are generally
pressurized to reduce infiltration. This term is often contrasted with natural
ventilation.
Formaldehyde: Formaldehyde is a colorless water-soluble gas. Due to its wide use, it is
frequently considered separately from other volatile organic compounds
(VOCs).
Free Delivery: No ducts are involved. The unit may be installed in the field without ducts if
needed.
Freeze-Stat: A thermostat used to keep something from freezing such as an evaporator
coil or a water line. Often set at 35-37 degrees Fahrenheit.
Freezing Point: The temperature at which the removal of any heat will begin a change of
state from a liquid to a solid.
Freon: A refrigerant trade name. A refrigerant manufactured by DuPont.
Frequency: The number of cycles which an alternating current moves through in each
second. Standard electric utility frequency in the United States is 60 cycles
per second, or 60 Hertz.
Terms Description
Functional Performance The term functional performance testing typically means the full range of
Testing: checks and tests carried out to determine if all components, sub-systems,
systems, and interfaces between systems function in accordance with the
contract documents. In this context, function includes all modes and
sequences of control operation, all interlocks and conditional control
responses, and all specified responses to abnormal emergency
conditions.
Fungi: A large group of organisms including molds, mildews, yeasts, mushrooms,
rusts, and smuts. Any of a group of parasitic lower plants that lack
chlorophyll. Most fungi produce spores which are broadcast through the
air so that virtually all environmental surfaces will have some fungal
material. Most health effects are associated with allergic responses to
antigenic material or toxic effects from mycotoxins. Fungi also generate
certain volatile organic compounds.
Fungicide: Substance or chemical that kills fungi.
Furnace, Horizontal: A furnace that lies on its side, pulling in return air from one side and
expelling warm air from the other.
Furnace: That part of an environmental system which converts gas, oil, electricity or
other fuel into heat for distribution within a structure.
Furnish: The term furnish is used to mean supply and deliver to the project site,
ready for unloading, unpacking, assembly, installation, and similar
operations as applicable to each instance.
Fusible Link: A link of metal with a lower melting point than that of the heat strips. It is
installed inside of the indoor unit and within inches of the actual heater
coils. Should a fan shut down and the heaters continue to burn, the link
will shut off the system when it burns through. It operates on the same
principle of fire doors or dampers.

Gage: An instrument for measuring pressure.

Galvanic Action: If two unlike metals are immersed in an electrolyte, an electrical potential
will exist between them. If the two are in electrical contact, an electrical
current will flow. The metal which becomes the anode of this cell will
corrode and dissolve while the cathode will be protected from corrosion.
Gas Control: Device use to regulate gas pressure on a water heater
Gas Sorption: Devices used to reduce levels of airborne gaseous compounds by passing
the air through materials that extract the airborne gases.
Gate Valve A gate valve is a valve that opens by lifting a round or rectangular gate out
of the path of the fluid. Gate valves are sometimes used for regulating
flow, but many are not suited for that purpose since they were designed to
be fully opened or closed. When fully open, the typical gate valve has no
obstruction in the flow path resulting in very low friction loss. Essentially an
ON-OFF valve.
Gauge Pressure: Pressure measured with atmospheric pressure as a base.
Geothermal Energy: Natural heat from within the earth; captured for production of electric
power, space heating or industrial steam.
Geothermal Equipment: Heat pumps that use the ground to transfer heat to and from the
refrigerant in the unit. The unit circulates water through a heat exchanger
into a closed loop buried in the ground or by pumping water from a well
through the unit.
Geothermal Gradient: The change in the earth's temperature with depth. As one goes deeper,
the earth becomes hotter.
Global Climate Change: Gradual changing of global climates due to buildup of carbon dioxide and
other greenhouse gases in the earth's atmosphere. Carbon dioxide
produced by burning fossil fuels has reached levels greater than what can
be absorbed by green plants and the seas.
Terms Description
Global Warming: Global warming is the gradual increase in global temperatures caused by
the emission of gases that trap the sun's heat in the Earth's atmosphere.
Gases that contribute to global warming include carbon dioxide, methane,
nitrous oxides, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), and halocarbons (the
replacements for CFCs). The carbon dioxide emissions are primarily
caused by the use of fossil fuels for energy.
Globe Valve: A globe valve is used for regulating flow or throttling applications where
fine adjustments are required in controlling the rate of flow.
GPH: Gallons Per Hour. You might see this rating if you are looking at an oil
furnace or water pump sizing chart. In addition to input and output, an oil
furnace also has a rating of gallons per hour (the volume of oil a furnace is
capable of burning in 60 minutes). Most water pumps are sized in GPH.
Grain(s): A unit of weight. One grain is equivalent to 1/7000 of a pound. By
comparison, one gram is equivalent to 1/453.6 of a pound.
In psychrometric work, the unit of grain(s) is used in the expression of
humidity where it expresses the ratio of weight of moisture per pound of
dry air; e.g. 70 GPP: Humidity Ratio (W) = (70 / 7000) = 0.010. Symbol:
GPP (Grains Per Pound) of dry air.
Greenhouse Effect: The presence of trace atmospheric gases make the earth warmer than
would direct sunlight alone. These gases (carbon dioxide [CO2], methane
[CH4], nitrous oxide [N2O], troposphere ozone [O3], water vapor [H2O], and
chlorofluorocarbons) allow visible light and ultraviolet light (shortwave
radiation) to pass through the atmosphere and heat the earth's surface.
This heat is re-radiated from the earth in the form of infrared energy (long-
wave radiation). The greenhouse gases absorb part of that energy before
it escapes into space. Thus the greenhouse effect allows solar radiation to
penetrate but absorbs the infrared radiation returning to space. This
process of trapping the long wave radiation specifically is known as the
greenhouse effect. Scientists estimate that without the greenhouse effect,
the earth's surface would be roughly 54F colder than it is today.
Greenhouse Effect: The characteristic tendency of some transparent materials (such as glass)
(Relating to Buildings) to transmit radiation with relatively short wavelengths (such as sunlight)
and block radiation of longer wavelengths (such as heat). This tendency
leads to a heat build-up within the space enclosed by such a material.
Grille: A perforated or louvered covering on any area that air passes through.
Grilles can be placed in the ceiling, floor or wall and can be fixed, or
adjustable.
Ground Water-Source: Water from an underground well is being used as the heat source or heat
sink for a heat pump.
Grounded: The "power leg" or "hot" wire is connected to ground. This is usually
expressed when the motor winding burns on the inside of the compressor,
falling over against the casing. Every time the power is turned on, the
breaker trips as the electricity is going directly to "ground".
Ground-Source: The ground or soil below the frost line is being used as the heat source or
heat sink for a heat pump.

Half-Life: The amount of time it takes for half of the existing amount of a radioactive
element to decay to non-radioactive products.
Hard Start Kit: Basically a compressor start-capacitor, pre-packaged for quick use when a
troublesome compressor won't start. If a compressor still won't start after a
Hard Start Kit is installed, you may need a new compressor. Serves the
same purpose as start-capacitor.
Hard Water: Natural waters contain impurities in various proportions; traditionally
hardness is a measure of calcium or dissolved solids in a solution.
HCFC: (Hydro- A class of refrigerants. Refers to the Halogenated Chlorofluorocarbon
chlorofluorocarbon) family of refrigerants. The most common is R-22.
It can be manufactured till the year 2030. Equipment manufactured after
2015 will no longer have R-22 in them.
Terms Description
HDD - Heating Degree Days: Quantitative indices designed to reflect the demand for energy needed to
heat a home or business. These indices are derived from daily
temperature observations, and the heating requirements for a given
structure at a specific location are considered to be directly proportional to
the number of HDD at that location. A similar index, cooling degree day'
(CDD), reflects the amount of energy used to cool a home or business.
HDD are defined relative to a base temperature; the outside temperature
above which a building needs no heating. HDD are often made available
with base temperatures of 65F (18C), or 60F (15.5C). One popular
approximation method is to take the average temperature on any given
day and subtract it from the base temperature. If the value is less than or
equal to zero, that day has zero HDD. But if the value is positive, that
number represents the number of HDD on that day.
Head Loss: The pressure of water as measured at a stated point; it may be measured
in feet or in pounds per square inch (PSI)
Heat Balance: The outdoor temperature at which a building's internal heat gain (from
people, lights and machines) is equal to the heat loss through windows,
roof and walls.
Heat Capacity: The amount of heat necessary to raise the temperature of a given mass
one degree. Heat capacity may be calculated by multiplying the mass by
the specific heat.
Heat Engine: An engine that converts heat to mechanical energy.
Heat Exchanger: A device used to transfer heat from a fluid (liquid or gas) to another fluid,
where the two fluids are physically separated (usually by metal tubing).
Household examples of heat exchangers are heating radiators and the
coils on your refrigerator and room air conditioner.
Heat Flow: Heat flows from a warmer to a cooler substance. The rate depends upon
the temperature difference, the area exposed and the type of material.
Heat Gain: The amount of heat gained, measured in BTU's, from a space to be
conditioned at the local summer outdoor design temperature and a
specified indoor design condition.
Heat Loss: The amount of heat lost, measured in BTU's, from a space to be
conditioned at the local winter outdoor design temperature and a specified
indoor design condition.
The amount of heat lost from a structure through crack, crevices, fans,
unused chimneys etc. Heat loss can be reduced by insulating, installing
energy efficient windows and doors, weather-stripping and caulking.
Heat of Compression: The heat added to a vapor by the work done on it during compression.
Heat of the Liquid: The increase in total heat (Enthalpy) per pound of a saturated liquid as its
temperature is increased above a chosen base temperature. (Usually
400F for refrigerants). It is expressed in BTU's.
Heat of Vaporization: The heat (energy) required for a substance to change phase from liquid to
vapor. Expressed as Btu/lb. The heat of vaporization is referenced to
pressure and temperature. For many air conditioning calculations (70F at
50% RH) the value of 1076 Btu/lb is used for the heat of vaporization. At
saturation (100% RH) and 70F, a value of 1112 Btu/lb is taken correct.
Heat pipes: It is a pipe with a refrigerant inside for passive refrigerant heat transfer.
Energy recovery device for transferring energy and used in applications for
tempering intake air.
Heat Pump Cooling Mode: In the cooling cycle of a Heat Pump, you are removing hot air from inside
the house and sending it outside. You can feel the hot air outside over the
condenser fan motor.
Heat Pump Heating Mode: In the heating mode of a Heat Pump, the refrigerant cycle is reversed and
you are now removing the heat from the outside and sending it inside the
house. You can feel the cool air outside over the condenser fan motor.
When temperatures go below 40F, heat pumps labor in producing heat
and must use backup electric heat strips.
Terms Description
Heat Pump: A heat pump is a DX type air conditioner with a valve that allows it to
operate in reverse; removing heat from your house and transferring it
outdoors in the summer, and removing heat from outdoor air and
transferring it into your house in the winter. Because heat pumps do not
actually create heat they just move it from one place to another heat
pumps can be more efficient than other forms of heating.
Heat Rate: A number that indicates how efficient a fuel-burning power plant is. The
heat rate equals the Btu content of the fuel input divided by the kilowatt;
hours of power output.
Heat Recovery Ventilator This device brings fresh outside air into a home while simultaneously
(HRV): exhausting stale indoor air outside. In the process of doing this, an HRV
removes heat from the exhaust air and transfers it to the incoming air; pre-
heating it. This allows for the reclamation of much of the energy that
otherwise would simply be vented outside.
Heating Seasonal The total heating output of a heat pump, including supplementary electric
Performance Factor (HSPF): heat necessary to achieve building heating requirements during its normal
annual usage period for heating divided by the total electric power during
the same period. Expressed in Btu/ [W.h].
Heat Sequencer: A time oriented magnetic relay that controls the stages of electric heat
strips. Located in the air handler/indoor unit control box, these come in
several shapes and sizes but they all perform the same function. Stage on
and off heat and the fan in heating.
Heat Source: A body of air or liquid from which heat is collected. In an air source heat
pump, the air outside the house is used as the heat source during the
heating cycle.
Heat Strip: Cupronickel spun wire with low resistance, used for heating coils. You
have seen them in everything from space heaters to hair dryers.
Heat Transfer: The flow of heat from one substance to another, for instance, the flow of
heat from your water heating element to the water that surrounds it.
The three methods of heat transfer are conduction, convection and
radiation.
Heat Trap: Restricts heat loss through water connections to a tank
Heat/cool Anticipator: Two small resistors that create heat in the wall thermostat. These small
heaters are there to "fake out" the thermostat and compensate for the
weight of the mercury in the bulb.
Heat: A form of energy causing the agitation of molecules within a substance.
Heat always flows from a body of higher temperature to a body of lower
temperature. (See also Latent Heat, Sensible Heat, Specific Heat, Total
Heat and Heat of the Liquid).
Heating Capacity: A measure of the ability of a unit to add heat to an enclosed space.
Heating Degree Day: A unit that measures the space heating needs during a given period of
time.
Heating Load: The rate at which heat must be added to a space in order to maintain the
desired temperature within the space.
Heating Medium: A substance such as water, steam, or air used to convey heat from the
boiler, furnace or other source of heat to the heating units from which the
heat is dissipated.
Heating Seasonal The total heating output of a heat pump in Btu during its normal usage
Performance Factor (HSPF): period for heating divided by the total electrical energy input in watt-hours
during the same period.
Heating Surface: The exterior surface of a heating unit.
Heating System: Energy Efficiency program promotion aimed at improving the efficiency of
the heating delivery system (including replacement) in the residential,
commercial, or industrial sectors.
Heating Unit: Radiators, convectors, base boards, finned tubing, coils embedded in
floor, wall, or ceiling, or any device which transmits the heat from the
heating system to the room and its occupants.
Terms Description
HEPA: High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance (filters).
Herein: The term herein shall mean the contents of a particular section where
this term appears.
Hermetic Sealed: Assembly of a motor and compressor inside a single fully enclosed
housing unit.
Hertz: A unit of electromagnetic wave frequency that is equal to one cycle per
second.
HFC: (Hydrofluorocarbon) Refrigerant containing no chlorine. An example is 134a, a replacement for
R-12.
High -Efficiency Furnace: The high-efficiency furnace is a "condensing" furnace which means that
the chimney gases, including steam, are cooled from about 350F to about
100F. This makes the steam condense back into water, allowing more
heat to be recovered and less to escape into the outside environment.
High Pressure Switch: A pressure operated switch that reacts to a maximum pressure setting.
Most high pressure switches are located in the outdoor unit and open at
425 psi. Too high a pressure in a system can damage coils and
components. The most common reasons for a high pressure cutout are
dirty condenser coils and failed outdoor fan motors.
High-Efficiency Particulate A specialized filter capable of removing 99.97% of particulates 0.3 in
Air (HEPA) Filter: diameter. High efficiency particulate arrestance (filters).
Home Energy Assistance A centrally operated direct payment program that assists eligible
Program: (HEAP) households in offsetting the cost of heating and cooling their homes.
Payments are generally made in the form of dual party warrants (checks)
made payable to the applicant and their designated utility company. For
example, the program is administered in California by the California
Department of Economic Opportunity using federal and state funds.
Horsepower: A unit to indicate the time rate of doing work equal to 550 ft.-lb. per
second, or 33,000 ft.-lb. per minute.
One horsepower equals 2,545 Btu per hour or 746 watts.
Hot Water Heating Systems: A heating system in which water is used as the medium by which heat is
carried through pipes from the boiler to the heating units.
House Dust Mite: A common microscopic household arachnid which feeds on shed skin
scales and tends to concentrate around mattresses and furniture. Antigens
present in the mite's excreta are implicated in cases of allergic asthma and
allergic rhinitis.
Housewrap: Housewrap is a sheet of plastic, often fiber-reinforced, that is used to
reduce air leakage in new homes. These sheets are wrapped around the
outside of a house during construction. Builders must seal the housewrap
at all joints and seams to create a truly continuous and effective air
retarder.
HRV: (Heat Recovery An HRV is a device that brings fresh outside air into the enclosed space
Ventilator) while simultaneously exhausting stale indoor air outside. In the process of
doing this, an HRV removes heat from the exhaust air and transfers it to
the incoming air and pre-heating it. This allows for the reclamation of much
of the energy that otherwise would simply be vented outside.
HSPF or HSPR: Heating Seasonal Performance Factor or Rating means the total heating
output of a heat pump in Btus during its normal usage period for heating
divided by the total electrical energy input in watt-hours during the same
period.
Heating seasonal performance factor is similar to SEER but it measures
the efficiency of the heating portion of a heat pump.
Like SEER, industry minimums have been raised recently and the
minimum is now 6.80 HSPF.
H-Trac: A method of dehumidifier capacity control which assures a constant
relative humidity value at the point of measurement (return air, supply air,
room/space) in conjunction with a desiccant based dehumidifier.
Humidification: Adding water (vapor or atomization) to the conditioned space.
Terms Description
Humidifier Fever: A respiratory illness caused by exposure to toxins from microorganisms
found in wet or moist areas in humidifiers and air conditioners.
Humidifier: A device that adds moisture to warm air being circulated or directed into a
space. This adds necessary moisture to protect furnishings and reduce
static electricity.
Humidistat: A device designed to regulate humidity input by reacting to changes in the
moisture content of the air. Much like a thermostat, it turns the system on
and off by sensing the humidity level.
Humidity: Water vapor contained in air. Expressed as specific, relative, or absolute
humidity. Common units of measure are: percent relative humidity (RH),
partial vapor pressure, grains of moisture per pound of dry air (GPP), dew
point or humidity ratio (W). The amount of vapor that air can hold is a
function of the air temperature. Air conditioners remove moisture for added
comfort.
HVAC: Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
HVAC System: A heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is one that
conditions the indoor air. HVAC system design primary covers four
elements 1) Cooling or Heating 2) Humidity Control 3) Filtration and 4) Air
Distribution.
HVAC/R: Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning, & Refrigeration
Hydronic Heating: A system that heats a space using hot water which may be circulated
through a convection or fan coil system or through a radiant baseboard or
floor system.
Hygroscopic: Descriptive of a substance that has the property of adsorbing or absorbing
moisture from air. The water vapor molecules are held by or bound within
the molecules of the hygroscopic material. Desiccants are hygroscopic
materials, e.g. silica gel, molecular sieve, lithium chloride or calcium
chloride.
Hypersensitivity Diseases: Diseases characterized by allergic responses to pollutants. The diseases
most clearly associated with indoor air quality are asthma, rhinitis, and
hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

IAQ: Indoor Air Quality - characteristics of the indoor climate of a building,

including the gaseous composition, temperature, relative humidity, and
airborne contaminant levels.
Providing a sufficient quantity of conditioned air that is comfortable and
healthy. Maintaining a positive pressure in the building so that the building
exfiltrates or leaks out instead of in. Exhausting a sufficient quantity of air
to remove contaminants.
IAQ Backgrounder: A component of the IAQ Tools for Schools Action Packet that provides a
general introduction to IAQ issues in educational facilities.
IAQ Checklist: A component of the IAQ Tools for Schools Kit containing easy-to-do
activities for school staff to improve or maintain good indoor air quality.
IAQ Coordinator: An individual (usually with facility management) who provides leadership
and coordination of all IAQ activities.
IAQ Management Plan: A set of flexible and specific steps for preventing and resolving IAQ
problems in any kind of commercial facility.
IAQ TEAM: People who have a direct impact on IAQ in the schools who implement the
IAQ Action Packets.
Ice Bank: A form of EMS that makes and stores ice at night while electric rates are
lower and uses the ice to chill water that is used to cool the building in the
day. There are several ways this saves. First you are cooling with cheaper
electricity, and second, you can use a smaller cooling unit (Less tonnage).
Immersion: Referring to something submerged in water.
Impeller: The component of a fan assembly that is composed of a number of
contoured blades.
Terms Description
Impregnate: A process by which one material is permeated by another substance or
material. Frequently, binders are also used to retain a material or
substance in the impregnated material or substance.
Inches of Water Gage (in- A unit of air pressure measurement equal to the pressure exerted by a
wg): column of water 1 inch high.
Inches of Mercury: Unit specifying pressure. Atmospheric pressure is equal to 29.92 inches of
mercury.
Including: The term including is typically taken in the most inclusive sense, namely
including, but not limited to and such as, but not limited to.
Incoming (Inlet) Temperature of water entering the tank
Temperature:
Indicated: The term indicated is a cross-reference to graphic representations,
details, notes, or schedules on the drawings; to other paragraphs or
schedules in the specifications; and to similar means of recording
requirements in the Contract Documents.
Indicator Compounds: Chemical compounds, such as carbon dioxide, whose presence at certain
concentrations may be used to estimate certain building conditions (e.g.,
airflow, presence of sources).
Indoor: The term indoor means items or devices contained within the confines of
a building, structure, or facility and items or devices which are not exposed
to weather. The term indoor shall generally reference ductwork, piping,
or equipment location (indoor ductwork, indoor piping, indoor equipment).
Indoor Air Pollutant: Particles and dust, fibers, mists, bio-aerosols, gases or vapors.
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ): This term generally refers to quantifiable properties of the respiratory air
inside a building. Providing a sufficient rate of ventilation to exhaust heat,
moisture and pollutants generated inside a building is a key component of
meeting IAQ standards (ASHRAE Standard 62), which provides designers
with guidelines for achieving acceptable ventilation rates and indoor air
quality.
Indoor Coils: An air-cooled heat exchanger placed indoors for cooling the indoor air. It is
typically made of several rows of copper tubing with aluminum fins. The
refrigerant, after exchanging heat with air, becomes vapor and is
compressed and condensed for heat rejection. (See also Evaporator Coil).
Indoor Unit: That unit within the home, which delivers the air throughout the duct
system to the various rooms. It houses a high speed blower, cooling coil,
and filter system. It is either located in a hallway closet or the garage.
Induction Ratio: Ratio of the total air flow rate to the primary air flow rate.
Induction: Process by which the primary air sets into motion an air volume, called
secondary air, in the room.
The uncontrolled and unintentional flow of outdoor air into a building. This
Infiltration: can occur through cracks in any building component, around openings that
are not air-tight, and during the everyday use of windows and doors. Like
natural ventilation, infiltration is caused by differences in air-pressure or
density between inside and outside. (See also Exfiltration).
Infrared Cameras: The infrared camera "sees" the heat and can show "hot spots" where a lot
of heat is being lost. This helps to identify the places where the home's
energy efficiency can be improved.
Input: The amount of fuel used by a gas appliance in a given period of time;
generally rated in 1 hour
Install: The term install is used to describe operations at the project site
including actual unloading, unpacking, assembly, erection, placing,
anchoring, connecting, applying, working to dimension, finishing, curing,
protecting, testing to demonstrate satisfactory operation, cleaning and
similar operations as applicable in each instance.
Instantaneous Water A type of water heater that heats water as it flows through a heat
Heater: exchanger coil
Insulation: Any material that slows down the transfer of heat.
Terms Description
Integrated Building Functional systems designed specifically to fit and work together as a
Systems: larger system; intended to provide better performance than systems not
designed for integration.
Integrated Energy A single number that is a cooling part-load efficiency figure of merit.
Efficiency Ratio (IEER):
Interior Zone: Spaces located further than 5 m (15 ft) from the faade, which can be
either high-occupancy (accommodating a number of work spaces) or low-
occupancy (circulation or general meeting areas for example). Spaces
within this zone are not directly affected by loads generated by the building
envelope, such as solar heat gain or heat loss.
Internal Overload: A thermally operated, bi-metal disc imbedded in the motor winding of the
compressor. When temperatures run too high, this overload trips, shutting
down the compressor. Once cooled the overload will automatically reset.
ISO 9000: A family of international standards for quality management and assurance
by the ISO (International Standards Organization).
Isothermal: Of constant temperature (e.g., an isothermal air jet has the same
temperature as the surrounding air).
IWC: Inches of water column.

Joule: A unit of work or energy. It takes ~ 1,000 joules to equal a British thermal
unit (BTU).
Junction Box: Utility area where incoming current is connected to a water heater.

K- Factor: The insulating value of any material. Also known as conductivity.

Kilovolt: (kv) One-thousand (1,000) volts. Distribution lines in residential areas usually
are 12 kv (12,000 volts).
Kilowatt (kW): A kilowatt equals 1,000 Watts or 3,412 Btus per hour.
Kilowatt-hour (kWh): A kilowatt hour (kWh) is the amount of kilowatts of electricity used in one
hour of operation of any equipment. A common unit of electrical
consumption on which electrical billing is computed.

Latent Cooling Load: (or The cooling load caused by moisture in the air. The net amount of
Latent Load) moisture added to the inside air by plants, people, cooking, infiltration, and
any other moisture source. The amount of moisture in the air can be
calculated from a combination of dry-bulb and wet-bulb temperature
measurements.
Latent Heat: The heat energy needed to change the state of a substance (i.e.: from a
liquid to a gas) but not it's temperature.
Legionella: Legionella pneumophilia is a bacterium that causes lung infection and a
disease called Legionellosis. People get legionellosis when they inhale
water mist containing the bacteria.
Within the context of HVAC systems, the most common location for the
proliferation and amplification of Legionella is the cooling tower. The other
locations include humidifiers, drain pans and other sources where
standing water may accumulate.
In the normal operation of a cooling tower, a number of conditions exist
that are conducive to the survival and transport of the bacteria:
A standing pool of water.
Water temperature that is satisfactory to support bacteria growth.
The bacteria typically proliferate between 68 degrees Fahrenheit
and 113 degrees Fahrenheit with significant growth occurring
between 95 degrees Fahrenheit and 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
Dirt and other particulate matter easily enter the open water
system. These can provide nutrients for the Legionella
Pneumophila.
Water mist is generated, allowing the bacteria to become airborne.
In fact, Legionella Pneumophila is present in the water samples of nearly
Terms Description
all cooling towers. However, the levels of bacteria found in most cases are
below those that would typically cause human health effects. So, while the
mere presence of the bacteria is not cause for alarm, control of its levels is
critical in minimizing the potential for detrimental health effects. Such
control can be accomplished through the diligent design of the HVAC
system and the administration of an appropriate maintenance program
including proper water treatment. When designing an HVAC system, the
air cooled condensers eliminates the risk of Legionella and do not need
statutory permit from the health and safety agencies.
Life Cycle: The sequence of events in planning, design, construction, use, and
abandonment or disposal (e.g., through sale, demolition, substantial
renovation) during the economic or service life of a facility; may include
changes in use and reconstruction.
Life Extension: A term used to describe capital expenses which reduce operating and
maintenance costs associated with continued operation of electric utility
boilers and other equipment. Such boilers usually have a 40-year
operating life under normal circumstances.
Life-Cycle Cost: The present value of all anticipated costs to be incurred during a facility's
economic life; the sum of direct, indirect, recurring, nonrecurring, and other
related costs incurred or estimated to be incurred in the design,
development, production, operation, maintenance, support, and final
disposition of a major system over its anticipated useful life span.
Lift: To elevate a fluid from one level to a higher level.
Liquid Line: A tube used to convey the liquid refrigerant from the condenser outlet to
the refrigerant control device of the evaporator.
Load Estimate: A series of studies performed to determine the heating or cooling
requirements of the enclosed space. An energy load analysis uses
information such as the square footage of the space, window and door
areas, insulation quality and local climate to determine the heating and
cooling capacity needed by a furnace, heat pump or air conditioner. When
referring to heating, this is often known as a Heat Loss Analysis.
Load: The amount of electric power supplied to meet one or more end user's
needs. The amount of electric power delivered or required at any specific
point or points on a system. The requirement originates at the energy
consuming equipment of the consumers.
Local Exhaust Ventilation: An industrial ventilation system that captures and removes contaminants
emitted from nearby sources before dilution into ambient workplace air can
occur.
Locked up: A type of mechanical failure. Metal parts are seized on metal parts and
bound up. Sometimes they cannot be broken loose and a compressor is
said to be "locked up". Each compressor has a certain amount of
amperage that it draws when "locks up" making it easy to diagnose.
Low Pressure Switch: This switch works exactly the same as the high pressure switch but in
reverse. A low pressure switch is also generally located in the outdoor
unit, which protects the compressor from low Freon conditions that result
in low pressure and eventually cut out of the unit.
LP: Liquid Propane - A fuel for gas water heaters.

Make-Up Air: Air that is brought into the building by a fan system to replace air that is
exhausted by a process like a kitchen exhaust hood or a lab hood. In
some instances, it is simply included in the minimum outdoor air setting of
the fan system serving the area. In other instances, it is addressed by a
separate system dedicated to the function. The latter approach has the
advantage of allowing operating economy to be achieved because the
make up and exhaust processes can be cycled based on the function they
serve independently from the comfort conditioning HVAC processes in the
area. This is especially common in the case of kitchen hoods. (See also
Outdoor Air Supply).
Terms Description
MAU - Makeup Air Unit: An air handler that conditions 100% outside air. MAUs are typically used in
industrial or commercial settings, or in "once-through" (blower sections
that only blow air one-way into the building), "low flow" (air handling
systems that blow air at a low flow rate), or "primary-secondary" (air
handling systems that have an air handler or rooftop unit connected to an
add-on makeup unit or hood) commercial HVAC systems.
Manifolded Installation: Paralleling of water heaters for large hot water demand applications.
Man-Made Mineral Fibers: Fiber insulation products including glass wool, fiberglass, rock wool, slag
(MMMF) wools, as well as refractory ceramic fibers which are used for fireproofing.
Manometer: An instrument that measures air pressure differences between locations.
Tubes are usually attached to a manometer and run to the spaces where
pressures are measured.
Manual D: Manual D is the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) method
for designing duct systems. Designing a duct system is essential for
proper equipment performance and customer comfort.
Manual J: Manual J is a widely accepted method of calculating the sensible and
latent cooling (and heating) loads under design conditions. It was jointly
developed by the ACCA and the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration
Institute (ARI).
Manual S: Manual S is the ACCA method of selecting air conditioning equipment to
meet the design loads. It ensures that both the sensible capacity and the
latent capacity of the selected equipment will be adequate to meet the
cooling load.
Manual reset: A control that senses a condition such as temperature or pressure. Once
the condition reaches a predetermined point that is considered dangerous,
the control locks out the system. To restart the system, someone needs to
reset the control. (See also Automatic Reset).
Mastic: An adhesive paste used in the fabrication and sealing of thermal insulation
on piping fittings, equipment and duct work. It spreads easily and dries
permanently.
Matched System: A heating and cooling system comprised of products that have been
certified to perform at promised comfort and efficiency levels when used
together and used according to design and engineering specifications.
Material Safety Data Sheets: Product safety information sheets prepared by manufacturers and
(MSDS) marketers of products containing toxic chemicals. This MSDS
documentation is desired as a part of safety review and OSHA guidance.
Matrix: A structure or configuration of a material which gives shape to the finished
product and in which another material or structure develops, takes shape,
or is contained.
May: The word May in contracts indicate action which is permissible on the
part of the Contractor.
MBH: One MBH is equivalent to 1,000 BTU's per hour.
Mean Temperature The mean of the difference between the temperature of a fluid receiving
Differences: heat and a fluid yielding heat.
Mean Radiant Temperature The average temperature of all surrounding surfaces. Comfort is not just
(MRT): air temperature; the radiant temperature of surfaces around you, air
velocity, relative humidity, activity and clothing all make a big difference.
You can be comfortable in a 78 F room if some surfaces are 65 F.
Mechanical Ventilation: A term used to describe the use of fans and intake/exhaust vents to
mechanically distribute ventilation and other conditioned air throughout a
building. Buildings operating mechanical ventilation systems are generally
pressurized to reduce infiltration. This term is often contrasted with natural
ventilation.
Mechanically Ventilated A system designed to increase ventilation within a crawlspace to achieve
Crawlspace System: higher or lower air pressure in the crawlspace relative to air pressure in
the living spaces, by use of a fan.
Megawatt: (MW) One thousand kilowatts (1,000 kW) or one million (1,000,000) watts.
Terms Description
Melting Point: The temperature at which the addition of any heat will begin a change of
state from a solid to a liquid.
Mercury Manometer: Used to measure vacuum in inches of mercury.
MET Units: (Metabolic Rate) Metabolic Rate. HVAC requirements differ depending on how a building is
used. Most comfort standards use a Met rate around 1.2
MHPU: (Mobile Home The Mobile Home Package Unit is an air-conditioner with electric or gas
Package Unit) heat or can be a Heat Pump. This unit has the condenser and air-handler
all-in-one package. Commonly used in mobile homes and placed outside.
(Self-contained unit)
Micron: A unit used to measure high vacuums. One micron equals 1/25,400 of one
inch mercury.
Unit of length. A micrometer is one millionth (10-6) of a meter or 10,000
Angstroms.
Mildew: A superficial covering of organic surfaces with fungi under damp
conditions.
Minimum Outdoor Air: The outdoor air that must be brought into the system to handle the
ventilation requirements of the building. This amount may vary with
building use and the system operating conditions (either intentionally or
unintentionally) or may be fixed any time the system is in operation (again,
either intentionally or unintentionally). Maintaining the proper minimum
outdoor air quantity is crucial in terms of ensuring proper indoor air quality,
proper inter-space pressure relationships, and proper building
pressurization. It is directly related to meeting code enforced ventilation
requirements and may include make up air associated with various
processes like kitchen hoods and lab hoods.
Mitigation: A procedure or strategy aimed at reducing or eliminating an indoor air
problem either through source control, ventilation control, exposure
reduction or air cleaning.
Mixed Air Ductwork: The term mixed air ductwork means all ductwork carrying a mixture of
return air and outdoor air.
Mixed air ductwork extends from the point of connection of the return air
and outdoor air ductwork to the fan or air handling unit.
Mixing Ratio: Is often used in drying applications and is the ratio of the mass of water
vapor to the mass of dry air with which it is associated.
Mixing Systems: In mixing systems (also known as mixing-type air distribution) conditioned
air is delivered to the space at velocities much greater than those
acceptable to occupants. Conventional overhead air distribution is an
example of a mixing system. Supply air temperature may be above, lower,
or equal to the air temperature in the occupied zone. The incoming high-
velocity air mixes rapidly with the room air by entrainment so that by the
time it enters the occupied zone its temperature and velocity are within an
acceptable range. Mixing systems are designed to maintain the entire
volume of air in the space (floor-to-ceiling) at a relatively uniform
temperature, humidity, and air quality condition.
Mixing Valve: Mixes hot and cold water to achieve a specified delivery temperature.
Model Building Codes: The building codes published and adopted by state or other jurisdictions to
control local construction activity.
Model Code Organizations: Includes the following agencies and the model building codes they
promulgate: Building Officials and Code Administrators International, Inc.
(BOCA National Building Code/1993 and BOCA National Mechanical
Code/1993); International Conference of Building Officials (Uniform
Building Code/1991 and Uniform Mechanical Code/1991); Southern
Building Code Congress, International, Inc. (Standard Building Code/1991
and Standard Mechanical Code/1991); Council of American Building
Officials (CABO One- and Two-Family Dwelling Code/1992 and CABO
Model Energy Code/1993).
Terms Description
Modularity: The separation of major user areas (in a building) into zones served by
independent mechanical and electrical components; also a characteristic
of integrated building systems, in which repetitive use of components and
subsystems facilitates facility maintenance and repair.
Moisture Removal Capacity A measure of the capacity of a dehumidifier expressed in lbs per hour of
(MRC): moisture removal. Equation: MRC = (CFM * (60 min/hr / Vs) * (GPPin -
GPPout)) / 7000 grains/lb. Where,
CFM is the volumetric rate of air,
Vs is the specific volume of air expressed as ft3/lb and
GPP is grains of moisture per pound of dry air.
GPPin - GPPout represents the grain "depression" or removal across the
dehumidifier.
Mold: A fungal infestation that causes disintegration of a substance. Molds are a
group of organisms that belong to the family Fungi. There are over 20,000
species of mold.
Molecular Sieve: A group of synthetic adsorptive desiccants which are crystalline
aluminosilicate materials, chemically similar to a class of minerals known
as zeolite. The outstanding characteristic of these materials is their ability
to undergo dehydration with little or no change in crystal structure.
Motor: A device that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. A motor
can operate on direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC) voltage
supply, not both.
MRT Mean Radiant The average temperature of all surrounding surfaces. (Comfort is not just
Temperature: air temperature). The radiant temperature of surfaces around you, air
velocity, relative humidity, activity and clothing all make a big difference.
You can be comfortable in a 78 F room if some surfaces are 65 F.
Muffler: Device installed in hot gas line to silence discharge surges.
Morning warm up: Reheating the building or space before it is occupied. In the winter when
you set back your thermostat to conserve energy at night, there is a need
to warm up the building before it is occupied. During this time period called
Morning warm up you do not bring in outside air thus saving energy.
mVOC: Microbial volatile organic compound, a chemical made by a mold which
may have a moldy or musty odor.

National Ambient Air The US outdoor air quality standard designed to protect public health.
Quality Standard: (NAAQS) Pollutants covered by the NAAQS include ozone, sulfur dioxide, lead,
nitrogen dioxide, respiratory particulates, and carbon monoxide.
National Institute for The US government agency authorized to research and develop exposure
Occupational Safety and criteria for toxic substances, and recommend these standards to OSHA.
Health: (NIOSH) NIOSH is also authorized to investigate unsafe working conditions.
Natural Gas: A fuel used with gas water heaters.
Natural ventilation: When air moves into and out of a building through intentional or planned
routes, without the assistance of mechanical equipment, this is termed
natural ventilation. Generally driven by pressure differences, inlets and
outlets include windows, doors, grilles, roof-openings and other designed
apertures. This is often contrasted with forced or mechanical ventilation.
Negative Ion Generator: An air cleaning device that uses static charges to remove particulates from
indoor air.
Negative Pressure: Condition that exists when less air is supplied to a space than is
exhausted from the space, so the air pressure within that space is less
than that in surrounding areas. Under this condition, if an opening exists,
air will flow from surrounding areas into the negatively pressurized space.
NESHAP: National Emissions Standard for Hazardous Pollutants
Net Present Value: The sum of the present values of all costs and monetary-valued benefits of
a facility over its economic life.
Terms Description
Normally Closed (NC): The term normally closed typically means the valve, damper, or other
control device shall remain in or go to the closed position when the control
air pressure, the control power or the control signal is removed. The
position the device will assume when the control signal is removed.
Normally Open (NO): The term normally open typically means that the valve, damper, or other
control device shall remain in, or go to, the open position when the control
air pressure, the control power, or the control signal is removed. The
position the device will assume when the control signal is removed.
Nozzle: An air terminal device designed to generate a low energy loss and thus
produce a maximum throw by minimum entertainment.
NSF: National Sanitation Foundation

Occupational Safety and The regulatory arm of the US Department of Labor, which promulgates
Health Administration: safety and health standards, facilitates training programs, and enforces
(OSHA) regulations on work sites. OSHA has developed permissible exposure
limits for over 600 contaminants present in the industrial workplace.
Occupied Zone: The volume of a conditioned space containing the occupants of the space.
Typically this is taken as extending from floor level up to a height of 1.8 m
(6 ft), and sometimes considered as set in 0.6 m (2 ft), on plan, from
external walls.
Ohm: A unit of measure of electrical resistance. One volt can produce a current
of one ampere through a resistance of one ohm.
Oil Powered: A water heater that uses oil as its fuel source.
Oil Separator: A device for separating out oil entrained in the discharge gas from the
compressor and returning it to the crankcase.
One-Pipe System (Hot A hot water heating system in which one-pipe serves both as a supply
Water): main and also as a return main. The heating units have separate supply
and return pipes but both are connected to the same main.
One-Pipe System (Steam): A steam heating system consisting of a main circuit in which the steam
and condensate flow in the same pipe and same direction. There is but
one connection to each heating unit which must serve as both the supply
and the return.
Open Circuit: Electrical circuit (or relay) is open, not allowing electricity to flow across it.
Operating cost: The cost of running a water heater for a given time period.
Option: The term option typically means a choice from the specified products,
manufacturers, or procedures which shall be made by the Contractor.
Organic Compounds: Chemicals that contain carbon. Volatile organic compounds vaporize at
room temperature and pressure. They are found in many indoor sources,
including many common household products and building materials.
Original Equipment Refers to the manufacturers of complete vehicles or heavy-duty engines,
Manufacturer: (OEM) as contrasted with remanufactures, converters, retrofitters, up-fitters, and
re-powering or rebuilding contractors who are overhauling engines,
adapting or converting vehicles or engines obtained from the OEMs, or
exchanging or rebuilding engines in existing vehicles.
Outdoor: The term outdoor means items or devices not contained within the
confines of a building, structure, or facility and items or devices which are
exposed to weather. The term outdoor shall generally reference to
outdoor ductwork, piping, or equipment.
Outdoor Air Supply: Air brought into a building from the outdoors (often through the ventilation
system) that has not been previously circulated through the system. Also
known as "Make-Up Air."
Outdoor Coil: An air-cooled heat exchanger typically made of several rows of copper
tubing with aluminum fins. Its purpose is to cool the refrigerant gas back to
the liquid form. (See also Condenser Coil).
Outside Air: This term can denote either the air outside a building, or air taken into a
building that has not previously been circulating through the HVAC
system.
Terms Description
Outside Air Ductwork: The term outside air ductwork means all ductwork carrying un-
conditioned air from the outside to a fan or air handling unit. Outdoor air
ductwork extends from the intake point or louver to the fan, air handling
unit, or connection to the return air ductwork.
Outside-air economizer: An HVAC control strategy that uses outside air under suitable climate
conditions to reduce the required mechanical cooling. When the outside
air temperature is less than the required supply air temperature during
cooling periods, the economizer allows a buildings mechanical ventilation
system to use up to 100% outside air, thereby reducing the energy
required to cool the mixture of outside air and warm recirculated air under
normal operating conditions. This method of cooling, often described as
free cooling, is widely used in temperate climates where outside air
temperatures rarely go above 21-24C (70-75F) during most days and will
periodically be less than the supply air temperatures (night time
economizer cycles are frequently employed for energy efficiency).
Overhead Systems: A typical, overhead air distribution system supplies air to, and removes air
from, a conditioned space at ceiling level. Both supply and return grilles
are located in the ceiling plane, above which there will be a ceiling plenum
of sufficient depth to accommodate the extensive supply ductwork, as well
as other building services. Relying on the principle of mixing-type air
distribution, ceiling-based supply and return systems are designed to
condition the entire volume of the space (floor-to-ceiling), thereby
providing a single uniform thermal and ventilation environment.
Overload: A safety device designed to protect a piece or component of equipment, in
the event of an overload or power surge.
Ozone Depletion Factor: A ratio used to show how much a particular refrigerant or chemical will
harm the ozone layer. R-11 and R-12 are the base and their number is 1.
R-22 is .05, hence has 1/20th the potential for harming the ozone layer.
Ozone Generator: An air cleaning device that produces highly reactive ozone, which reacts
with volatile organic compounds to form non hazardous products, removes
particulates, and reduces the number of bio-contaminants. These devices
are controversial because their touted benefits may only be accomplished
at ozone levels above recommended exposure levels.
Ozone Hole: Thinning of the ozone layer located in the stratosphere high above the
Earth. Ozone holes have been found above Antarctica, Canada and
northern parts of the United States, as well as above northern Europe.
Ozone: A kind of oxygen that has three atoms per molecule instead of the usual
two. Ozone (O3) is a highly reactive form of oxygen and is considered
hazardous. Ozone exposure can result in mucous membrane irritation and
potential pulmonary damage. The ozone layer in the upper atmosphere
shields life on earth from deadly ultraviolet radiation from space.

Package Unit or Package A self-contained unit or system that has the Air Handler & Condenser in
System: same unit. Some call this a unitary system. All of the major air conditioning
system components are in one box. In most cases the thermostat is not in
the box but located in the space to be heated or cooled.
Packaged units provide both heating and cooling from one unit that is
placed outside the home; on the ground, on the roof, or sometimes
mounted through the walls of the building.
Panel Heating: A method of heating involving the installation of the heating units (pipe
coils) within the wall, floor or ceiling of the room.
Panel Radiator: A heating unit placed on, or flushes with, a flat wall surface and intended
to function essentially as a radiator.
Parallel System: Two or more identical size heaters piped with water connections, that is,
cold water travels equal distance into the inlets of the heaters from a "t"
connection and hot water travels equal distance from the outlet of the
heaters to a "t" connection
Terms Description
Partial Pressure: The pressure exerted by any individual gas in a mixture.
Particle Size: Particle size refers mainly to the solid particles of which materials are
composed. The smaller the particle, the greater will be the total exposed
surface area compared to its volume.
Particulates: Small airborne particles found in indoor environments which include
fibrous materials, solid-state semi-volatile organic compounds, and
biological materials.
Pascals: (Pa) A small unit of air pressure. One pound per square inch equals 6,895
pascals.
Passive Diffuser: Any air supply outlet that relies on a pressurized underfloor plenum to
deliver air from the plenum through the diffuser into the conditioned space
of the building. Passive diffusers have no local fans associated with them,
although they can be converted to an active diffuser by attaching a fan-
powered outlet box to the underside of the diffuser.
Passive Smoking: The inhalations of environmental tobacco smoke; also called involuntary
smoking.
Pathogen: Any microorganism or substance that causes disease.
Peak Hour Demand: Time when the largest demand for hot water is needed.
Peak Load Period: That period of the day when the system has the greatest demand.
PELs: Permissible Exposure Limits (standards set by the Occupational, Safety
and Health Administration).
Penn Control: A refrigerant pressure control. It senses pressure and opens or closes a
switch that could control a fan. It could also be a water control valve for a
water-cooled unit.
Performance: The degree to which a facility or system fulfills the purposes for which it
was built or acquired, or which it is now expected to fulfill; a function of
effectiveness, reliability, and cost.
Perimeter Zone: This is the zone immediately adjacent to, and within 5 m (15 ft) of the
external faade. Perimeter spaces require special consideration in terms
of their heating and cooling loads which are significantly different to those
of internal/core zone areas due to the influence of factors such as solar
gain and fabric heat loss through the building envelope.
Perm: An empirical unit of water vapor permanence of one grain (1/7000 lb.)
flowing through one square foot induced by a vapor pressure of one inch
of mercury.
Permeable: Porous, allowing the passage of air.
Pesticides: Pesticides are chemicals that are used to kill or control pests which
include bacteria, fungi, weeds, and other organisms, in addition to insects
and rodents. Most pesticides are inherently toxic. Most contain volatile
organic compounds.
Picocurie (pCi): A unit for measuring radioactivity often expressed as picocuries per liter
(pCi/L) of air.
Pilot: A small burner used to ignite the main burner
Piping: The term piping include pipes, fittings, valves, flanges, unions, traps,
drains, strainers, insulation, hangers, supports, and all other
appurtenances comprising a complete and operable system. The HVAC
piping includes chilled water piping, cooling water or condenser water
piping, and refrigerant piping. The water piping is usually carbon steel
while the commercial air-conditioning applications using Freon based
refrigerants use copper piping.
Pitch: The slope of a pipe line for the purpose of improving drainage.
Pitot Tube: A device comprising a small diameter orifice projecting directly into an air
stream measuring total pressure, and surrounded by an annular section
with small diameter entrances normal to the flow measuring static
pressure; both sections are usually connected to a manometer to indicate
velocity pressure.
Plans and Specifications: The means by which designers convey what is to be constructed;
contractors bid for the construction assignment. (See also Specifications).
Terms Description
Plenum: Any defined space, typically above a suspended ceiling or beneath a
raised floor, through which supply air and/or voice, power and data cabling
and other building services can be distributed.
Plenum Chamber: An air compartment maintained under pressure and connected to one or
more distributing ducts.
Plenum Height: The vertical distance between the top surface of a structural floor slab and
the top surface of the raised floor system above it, which contains and
defines the underfloor plenum. Accounting for the typical thickness of
raised floor panels, the clear space within the underfloor plenum will be 33
mm (1.3 in.) less than the plenum height.
Plenum Inlet: Any location in an underfloor plenum where conditioned air that has been
ducted from the air handler is discharged into the plenum.
Plenum Partition: A partition, typically formed from a vertically oriented sheet metal, is
erected within the plenum in order to divide up the plan of a conditioned
space and create separate zones within the underfloor area. (See also
Zoning).
Pneumatic: Having to do with air, pneumatic controls are controls that use
compressed air as power to operate the control system.
Point of Use: Small water heater used for remote locations.
Pollutant Pathways: Avenues for distribution of pollutants in a building. HVAC systems are the
primary pathways in most buildings; however, all building components
interact to affect how air movement distributes pollutants.
Positive Pressure: Condition that exists when more air is supplied to a space than is
exhausted, so the air pressure within that space is greater than that in
surrounding areas. Under this condition, if an opening exists, air will flow
from the positively pressurized space outward to surrounding areas.
Power Venting: Mechanical draft exhaust to outside, usually utilizing room air to support
combustion.
Power: Electricity for use as energy is referred to as power. Electrical power is
usually measured in watts. Also used for a measurement of capacity.
PPM: (Parts Per Million) A unit which may be mass/mass and hence represents a direct measure
of fractional mass, or volume/volume and represents in this case a molar
fraction at low pressures and high temperatures; commonly used to
represent the degree of pollutant concentration where the concentrations
are small.
Pre Designed Analysis: Analysis involved in developing conceptual design alternatives and
working out a variety of design details before the actual detailed design
begins.
Pre-charged Line: Refrigerant line which is filled with refrigerant and is sealed at both ends.
The seals are broken when the line is installed and the line charge
becomes part of the total system charge.
Preheated Water: Water that has been tempered for inlet supply.
Present Value: A concept in economics reflecting the time-value of money in which costs
and revenues of future years are expressed in terms of their equivalent
amounts if incurred in the present year; sometimes termed "discounted
value;" may be computed for costs or benefits using the discount rate.
(See also Economic Cost).
Pressed Wood Products: A group of materials used in building and furniture construction that are
made from wood veneers, particles, or fibers bonded together with an
adhesive under heat and pressure.
Pressure Balancing: The process of neutralizing pressure differences within a home.
Pressure Coefficient: A dimensionless parameter relating the static pressure potential of a fan to
its tip velocity pressure equivalent. It's used to determine approximate fan
diameter.
Pressure Drop: The decrease in pressure due to friction of a fluid or vapor as it passes
through a tube or duct or/and lift.
Pressure Reducing Valve: A valve which automatically reduces inlet water pressure to a specified
value at its outlet.
Terms Description
Pressure- Temp Relations: The change effected in temperature when pressure is changed or vice
versa. Only used at saturated conditions. An increase in pressure results
in a temperature increase. A decrease in temperature results in a pressure
decrease.
Pressure, Static: In flowing air, the total pressure minus velocity pressure. The portion of the
pressure that pushes equally in all directions.
Pressure, Total: In flowing air, the sum of the static pressure and the velocity pressure.
Pressure, Velocity: In flowing air, the pressure due to the velocity and density of the air.
Pressure Washing: The use of high-pressure water and chemicals to clean. Power washing
equipment for HVAC usually operating between 350 PSI and 500 PSI, and
are used to clean the condenser and evaporator coils. Higher pressure
can damage the fins on the coils.
Pressurized Plenum: In this system configuration, the underfloor plenum is under a positive
static pressure produced by the central AHU that drives the air along the
plenum and up through the diffusers. Typical pressures are quite low
(12.5-50 Pa [0.05-0.2 in. H2O]).
Preventive Maintenance: Regular and systematic inspection, cleaning, and replacement of worn
parts, materials, and systems, helps to prevent their failure by ensuring
that parts, materials and systems are in working order.
Primary Air Flow Rate: Volume of air entering a supply air terminal device within a time unit.
Process Heating: Energy Efficiency program promotion of increased electric energy
efficiency applications in industrial process heating.
Procurement: The term procurement typically means to purchase, procure, acquire,
and deliver complete with related accessories.
Programmable Controller: A device that controls the operation of electrical equipment (such as air
conditioning units and lights) according to a preset time schedule.
Project Site: The term project site typically is defined as the space available to the
Contractor for performance of the Work, either exclusively or in
conjunction with others performing other Work as part of the project or
another project.
Provide: The term provide typically means to furnish and install, complete and
ready for intended use and successfully tested to demonstrate satisfactory
operation as applicable in each instance.
Psychogenic Illness: Syndrome defined as a group of symptoms that develop in an individual
(or a group of individuals in the same indoor environment) who are under
some type of physical or emotional stress. This does not mean that
individuals have a psychiatric disorder or that they are imagining
symptoms.
Psychosocial Factors: Psychological, organizational, and personal stressors that could produce
symptoms similar to those caused by poor indoor air quality.
Psychrometer: A device having both a dry and wet bulb thermometer. It is used to
determine the relative humidity in a conditioned space. Most have an
indexed scale to allow direct conversion from the temperature readings to
the percentage of relative humidity.
Psychrometric Chart: A graphical representation of the properties of moist (humid) air, usually
including dry bulb and wet bulb temperatures, specific and relative
humidity, dew point temperature, partial vapor pressure, humidity ratio,
enthalpy, and specific volume.
The chart graphically expresses how various properties relate to each
other, and thus is a graphical equation of state.
Terms Description

Psychrometrics: The branch of science (physics) concerned with the measurement or

determination of atmospheric conditions; particularly of moist air.
PTAC - Packaged Terminal An air conditioner and heater combined into a single, electrically-powered
Air Conditioner: unit; typically installed through a wall and often found in hotels. (See also
Package Units).
P-Trap: Pipe fitting that is used to trap water in a condensate line to prevent air
and odors in sewer lines from entering the conditioned air stream.
Pulley/sheave: Flat wheel with a V-groove. Power transmission component attached to a
motor or blower wheel that connects the motor to the blower using one or
more belts. Typically they are grooved to accommodate a V-belt.
Pumpdown: Process of pumping refrigerant out of the evaporator and suction line at
the end of the on-cycle by closing a solenoid valve in the liquid line and
letting the compressor shut-off by the low pressure control.

Quick Connect: Name given to the end connections on pre-charged lines which screw on
to mated fittings of the outdoor and indoor sections. Tightening the quick
connections ruptures the seals on the fittings and the line charge becomes
part of the total system charge.

Radiant Barrier: A device designed to reduce or stop the flow of radiant energy.
Radiant Heat Transfer: Occurs when there is a large difference between the temperatures of two
surfaces that are not touching but are exposed to each other.
Radiant Heating: A heating system in which the heating is by radiation only.
Radiant: System that uses hot surfaces to radiate or convect heat into the
environment without the use of fans or blowers.
Radiation: The transfer of heat without an intervening medium. It is absorbed on
contact with a solid surface.
Radiator: A heating unit located within the room to be heated and exposed to view.
A radiator transfers heat by radiation to objects "it can see' and by
conduction to the surrounding air which in turn is circulated by natural
convection.
Radioactive Decay: The disintegration of the nuclei of the atoms of radioactive (charged)
elements with the concomitant release of alpha, beta, or gamma rays.
Radon (Rn) and Radon Radon is a radioactive gas formed in the decay of uranium. The radon
Decay Products: decay products can be breathed into the lung where they continue to
release radiation.
Raised Access Floor: A platform built several inches above the structural floor in a building,
creating a space to house mechanical, electrical and communication
distribution equipment; a type of accessible service area.
Terms Description
Raised Floor: A platform structure typically consisting of 0.6 m x 0.6 m (2 ft x 2 ft)
concrete-filled steel floor panels supported on pedestals 0.2 to 0.46 m (8
in. to 18 in.) above the concrete structural floor slab. Each panel can be
independently removed for easy access to the underfloor plenum created
below and can include openings for electrical outlets, grilles or any other
floor accessory in its thickness. In most office installations, carpet tiles are
laid on top to provide a finished floor surface. Raised floor systems provide
maximum flexibility and significantly lower costs associated with
reconfiguring building services.
Rated Storage Volume: Quantity of water (expressed in gallons) stored in a tank.
Reactivation: Reactivation or regeneration is the process of removing adsorbed
moisture held by a desiccant. By removing the moisture, the desiccant is
again ready to adsorb moisture from an air stream.
In rotary dehumidification equipment, the reactivation process is
continuous and concurrent with the adsorption cycle and is accomplished
by thermal heating of the desiccant.
In dual tower packed bed dehumidification equipment, the reactivation
process occurs with the dehumidifier "off stream" and is not concurrent
with the adsorption cycle being accomplished by either thermal heating or
pressure swings.
Receiver: Tank on the liquid side of a system that holds excess refrigerant liquefied
by the condenser.
Recessed Radiator: A heating unit set back into a wall recess but not enclosed. This will
normally require about 10% more Btuh then a free standing radiator.
Reciprocating Compressor: The original compressor. Used for decades, this workhorse has pistons in
it much like a car; the pistons move up and down creating compression of
the Freon gas in the cylinders. Ring or Reed valves control the flow into
and out of the cylinders.
Recirculated or Return air: Return air that is diverted from the exhaust route, mixed with incoming
outside air (in some systems, recirculated air bypasses the cooling coil
and is mixed with the cool air leaving the coil to produce the warmer
supply air temperatures used in UFAD designs), passed through the AHU
for conditioning, and delivered to the conditioned space. Essentially a
means of recycling the air circulating through an HVAC system for energy
saving purposes.
Reclaiming: Processing or returning used refrigerant to the manufacturer or processor
for disposal or reuse.
Recool: The sensible cooling of air that has been previously heated by HVAC
systems serving the same building.
Recovery (GPH): The amount of water in gallons that can be heated in one hour.
Recurring Costs: Costs incurred on a recurring and generally regular basis throughout a
facility's economic life; typically for operation, normal maintenance, and
anticipated repair or replacement of components or subsystems.
Re-entrainment: Situation that occurs when the air being exhausted from a building is
immediately brought back into the system through the air intake and other
openings in the building envelope.
Refrigerant Charge: The amount of refrigerant contained within the air-conditioning equipment
and required for proper operation.
Refrigerant Control: A device used to meter the amount of refrigerant to an evaporator. It also
serves as a dividing point between the high and low pressure sides of the
system.
Refrigerant Distributor: A device which meters equal quantities of a refrigerant to independent
circuits in the evaporator coil.
Refrigerant Lines: Two copper lines that connect the outdoor air-conditioner or heat pump to
the indoor evaporator coil.
Refrigerant Migration: The movement of refrigerant through the system to the compressor
crankcase during the off-cycle, caused by its attraction to oil.
Terms Description
Refrigerant Operating The total amount of refrigerant required by a system for correct operation.
Charge:
Refrigerant Velocity: The rate at which a refrigerant is moving at a given point in a system,
usually given in feet per minute (FPM).
Refrigerant: A fluid that evaporates at a relatively low temperature, sucking heat and
humidity out of the air. A refrigerant absorbs heat in an evaporator by
change of state from a liquid to a gas, and releases its heat in a condenser
as the substance returns from the gaseous state back to a liquid state.
Refrigeration Effect: The amount of heat a given quantity of a refrigerant will absorb in
changing from a liquid to a vapor at a given evaporating pressure. (See
also Tons of Refrigeration).
Refrigeration: The transfer of heat from a place where it is not wanted to a place where
its presence is not desirable.
Regeneration: See Reactivation.
Register: A grille with a built-in damper or shutter placed at the terminal end of the
duct.
Reheat: The heating of air that has been previously cooled either by mechanical
refrigeration or dehumidification. It is reheated to what the room requires
per the thermostat settings. It is energy inefficient and not recommended
by various codes. Instead use VAV (variable air volume system).
Relative Humidity: The percentage of water vapor present in a given quantity of air compared
to the amount it can hold at its temperature. It is expressed in percent. The
relative humidity is 100% (air is fully saturated) when DBT = WBT.
Relative Risk: The ratio of health impact incidence among exposed individuals to
incidence among unexposed individuals.
Relay: A device used to open and close an electrical circuit. The relay may be
actuated by a bimetal electrically heated strip, a rod wrapped with a fine
resistance wire causing expansion when energized, a bellow actuated by
expansion of a fluid or gas, or an electromagnetic coil.
Reliability: The likelihood that a system's effectiveness will be sustained over a
defined time horizon; may be measured as a probability.
Relief Air: Air which is expelled from the building, having been brought in by an
economizer cycle.
Relief Fan: A fan which is applied in conjunction with an economizer cycle and located
in the relief path from a building; not to be confused with a return fan.
Relief fans are applied when the return path from the occupied zone to the
air handling unit has an insignificant pressure drop (thus requiring no
return fan). However, the restrictions in the relief path to the building
exterior would cause the building to become over-pressurized when the
economizer cycle is operating on high percentages of outdoor air if no fan
is provided.
Relief Air Ductwork: The term relief air ductwork mean all ductwork carrying air from a room,
space, or area without the use of a fan or with the use of a return fan to be
discharged to the outdoors. Relief air ductwork extends from the registers,
grilles, or other relief openings to the outdoor discharge point, or from the
return fan discharge to the outdoor discharge point.
Relief Valve (anti-siphon): Prevents internal vacuum conditions that could drain a system by back
siphonage; eliminates burned out electric elements and collapsed tanks
Relocate: The term relocate means to carefully remove without damaging items
and to install where shown on the contract documents and/or as directed
by the Engineer and/or Owner.
RELs: Recommended Exposure Limits: Recommendations made by the National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)).
Remediate: Fix
Remove: The term remove means to disassemble, dismantle, and/or cut into
pieces in order to remove the equipment from the site and to properly
dispose of the removed equipment and pay for all associated costs
incurred.
Terms Description
Renewal: Substantial repairs and improvements in a facility or subsystem that return
its performance to levels approaching or exceeding those of a newly
constructed facility.
Replace: The term replace typically means to remove the existing equipment and
to provide new equipment of the same size, capacity, electrical
characteristics, function, etc., as the existing equipment.
Residential: The residential sector is defined as private household establishments
which consume energy primarily for space heating, water heating, air
conditioning, lighting, refrigeration, cooking, and clothes drying. The
classification of an individual consumers account, where the use is both
residential and commercial, is based on principal use.
Resistance: (Electrical) The ability of all conductors of electricity to resist the flow of current;
turning some of it into heat. Resistance depends on the cross section of
the conductor (the smaller the cross section, the greater the resistance),
the material, the length of the flow path, and its temperature (the hotter the
cross section, the greater its resistance).
Resistance: (Thermal) The reciprocal of thermal conductance. (See also R-VALUE).
Respirable Suspended Particulates less than 10 m in diameter that can enter the respiratory
Particulates: tract.
Retrofit: The redesign and reconstruction of an existing facility or subsystem to
incorporate new technology, to meet new requirements, or to otherwise
provide performance not foreseen in the original design.
Return Air: The air extracted from a conditioned space (typically at ceiling level) and
returned to the air-handling unit (AHU) where a portion is recirculated and
the remainder is exhausted to the outside.
Return Air Ductwork: The term return air ductwork means the assembly of ducts that carries
air from the enclosed space to the air handler. Return air ductwork
extends from the registers, grilles, or other return openings to the return
fan (if used) and the air handling unit.
Return Circulation System: Tempered water from or near the point of usage which eliminates waste of
hot water used for long runs and adds storage to the system.
Return Fan: A fan which is applied in an air handling system when the restrictions in
the return air flow path from the occupied zone to the air handling unit
would cause the building to become overpressurized. Without a return fan,
the supply fan must pressurize the occupied zone to a value that is high
enough to overcome the return path restrictions. If this pressure exceeds
0.10 to 0.15 inches w.c., a variety of problems can ensue, including a
reduction in supply flow and blown open doors.
Return Mains: The pipes which return the heating medium from the heating units to the
source of heat supply.
Reversing Solenoid: The magnetic solenoid that operates the reversing valve.
Reversing Valve: A mechanical valve operated by a solenoid which only exists in a heat
pump. When energized, this valve shifts, thereby reversing the flow and
direction of the Freon gas.
Review: The term review typically means observation or checking to ascertain
general conformance with the design concept of the work and with
information given in the Contract Documents.
RF (Recovery Factor): Rating based on the efficiency of the product which is input required to
raise 1 gallon of water by 1 degree F.
Riser: A vertical tube or pipe which carries refrigerant or any fluid in any form
from a lower to a higher level.
Rotor: 1) That part of the induction motor that rotates.
2) A formed structure, sometimes corrugated, containing a series of
parallel flute shaped channels that hold and contain a desiccant within the
flute wall for use in a dehumidifier.
Terms Description
Roof Top Unit: A packaged air-handling unit, defined as either "recirculating" or "once-
through" design, made specifically for outdoor installation. They most often
include internally their own heating and cooling devices. RTUs are very
common in some regions; particularly in single-story commercial buildings.
RPM: Revolutions per minute which is the measurement of a fan blade speed.
RSES: A leading HVAC/R Association: Refrigeration Service Engineers Society,
http://www.rses.org/
RTU Roof Top Unit: See Roof Top Unit
R-Value: Refers to the insulation's resistance to heat flow. It is a measure of the
resistance to transmission of heat by an insulating material in Btu/(ft2 F).
The higher the insulation's R-Value, the greater its insulating power.

S.E.E.R.: Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating.

Safety Shut-off Valve: A device on a gas appliance which shuts off the gas supply to the
appliance to prevent a hazardous situation. A flame failure safety shut-off
operates when the actuating flame becomes extinguished. A 100% shut-
off cuts off all gas including the main and pilot burners
Sanitizer: Anti-microbials used for public health uses. An anti-microbial is a sanitizer
that reduces (at least 99.9% in the number of each test microorganism
over the control) but does not eliminate all the microorganisms on a
treated surface.
Saturated Vapor: Vapor in contact with a liquid.
Saturation Temperature: Also referred to as the boiling point or the condensing temperature. This is
the temperature at which a refrigerant will change state from a liquid to a
vapor or visa versa.
Saturation: A condition of stable equilibrium of a vapor and a liquid. The air is 100%
saturated when DBT = WBT.
Scale: A thin coating or layer, usually calcium on the bottom of a tank or interior
parts, which may prevent heat transfer.
Scheduled Start/Stop: Starting and stopping equipment based upon the time of day and the day
of the week.
Scroll Compressor: A scroll compressor is named as such for the shape of the internal
compression device. Two plates with intermeshed "scrolls" of steel spin in
opposite directions at high rates of speed. These two spinning plates
create suction in the center of them, pulling in cool vapor. They literally
"sling" the gas outwards, thereby compressing it and releasing it to the
outside. Scroll compressors are very reliable and tough. These are
available up to 50-ton refrigeration capacities.
Sealed Combustion: Sealing of combustion chamber to prevent spillage of combustion
products.
Seasonal Energy Efficiency The total cooling of a system covered by this standard with a capacity
Ratio (SEER): <65,000 Btu/h [19,000 W] during its normal usage period for cooling (not
to exceed 12 months) divided by the total electric energy input during the
same period. Expressed in Btu/ [Wh].
Higher SEER = more efficiency
Old systems typically around 7 to 10; newer ones up to 15. Worst one you
can buy today is 13.
SEER is the most common method of selecting and understanding energy
efficiency in the cooling products. The U.S. Government's minimum
efficiency level is 10 SEER for split systems and 9.7 for packaged units.
After January 1, 1992, the minimum SEER required by the DOE is 10.00
and 15.00+ SEER is considered high efficiency.
Secondary Air Motion: Air discharged from an outlet creates a swirling, jet, or other air motion that
pulls (entrains) the surrounding air into its path where it mixes with the
supply air. (See also Entrainment).
Sediment (Lime): The substance that settles on the bottom of a tank.
Terms Description
Sensible Cooling Load: The heat gain of the home due to conduction, solar radiation, infiltration,
appliances, people, and pets. Burning a light bulb, for example, adds only
sensible load to the house. This sensible load raises the dry-bulb
temperature.
Sensible Heat: Heat that results in a temperature change but not the state.
Sensitization: Repeated or single exposure to an allergen that results in the exposed
individual becoming hypersensitive to the allergen.
Sensor: A device that can detect and measure a variable, for example, air
temperature, velocity, humidity, or light levels.
Series System: Generally where the primary heater preheats water to a given desired
general purpose temperature and feeds into another heater.
Service Life: The period of time over which a facility, component, or subsystem actually
provides adequate performance; a technical parameter that depends on
design, construction quality, operations and maintenance practices, use,
environmental factors, and users' and owners' expectations; may differ
from economic life, physical life, or design lifetime.
Service Plenum: Any defined space, typically above a suspended ceiling or beneath a
raised floor, through which supply air and/or voice, power and data cabling
and other building services can be distributed.
Setback: A reduction of climate control energy demand in HVAC controls when a
building is unoccupied. To save energy, the temperature inside public
buildings is allowed to fluctuate after business hours by lowering the space
heating setpoint or raising the space cooling setpoint.
Setpoint: The temperature to which a thermostat is set to result in a desired cooling
or heated space temperature. The target value that an automatic control
system controller will aim to reach.
Shall The word shall in contracts parlance indicate action which is mandatory
on the part of the Contractor.
Shell Space: In a building, space for which the structural system and typically the
exterior envelope are complete but in which other functional subsystems
are left for completion at some future time.
Short-Circuiting: Situation that occurs when the supply air flows to return or exhaust grilles
before entering the breathing zone (area of a room where people are). To
avoid short-circuiting, the supply air must be delivered at a temperature
and velocity that results in mixing throughout the space.
Shorted: This can also mean grounded. Sometimes things can be "shorted"
together. If the two wires that make up your household extension cord
were to ever touch each other when plugged in, that would result in a
short.
Should: The word should in technical writing typically indicates action which is
probable on the part of the Contractor. (Same as will)
Shown: The term shown is a cross-reference to graphic representations, details,
notes, or schedules on the Contract Drawings, and to similar means of
recording requirements in the Contract Documents.
Sick Building Syndrome: A phenomenon in which building occupants experience a variety of health
(SBS) and/or comfort effects linked to time spent in a particular building, but
where no specific illness or causative agent can be identified. Symptoms
in sufferers often include headaches, eye irritation, and respiratory
irritation. Term that refers to a set of symptoms that affect some number of
building occupants during the time they spend in the building and diminish
or go away altogether during periods when they leave the building.
Sick Building: A building in which the indoor air quality is considered to be unacceptable
to a substantial majority of occupants.
Sight Glass: A glass installed in the liquid line permitting visual inspection of the liquid
refrigerant for the purpose of detecting vapor in the liquid. They generally
contain a device to monitor moisture content of the refrigerant.
Terms Description
Silica Gel: A synthesized (manmade) adsorbent material consisting of amorphous
silica. Silica gel can store or hold adsorbed moisture up to approximately
40% of its own weight. Silica gel's capacity (lbs. of moisture adsorbed per
lb. of desiccant) varies with relative humidity at ambient temperature.
Similar: The term similar in technical writing means generally the same but not
necessarily identical.
Simultaneous Cooling and Means the ratio of the total capacity of the system (heating and cooling
Heating Efficiency (SCHE): capacity) to the effective power when operating in the heat recovery mode.
(Where SCHE is stated without an indication of units, it shall be
understood that it is expressed in Btu/ [Wh].)
Single Package: A heating and cooling system contained in one outdoor unit.
Sizing: Refers to the procedure to determine how large a furnace (measured in
Btu per hour) is needed to heat a house or chiller/AHU capacity required
to cool the space efficiently.
Sliding Inner Door: A door slides along the combustion chamber radius for easy access to the
burner and pilot
Slugging: A condition in which a quantity of liquid enters the compressor causing
hammering and possible compressor damage.
Smoke Stick: A diagnostic tool used to observe air flow. Usually it consists of a chemical
in a squeezable container. When squeezed it emits smoke which visibly
follows air flow currents.
Sodium Silicate: High volume synthetic silicate; non-toxic and non-combustible. Sodium
silicate is the simplest form of glass. Gels are formed by treatment with
acids, coagulated by brine and precipitated. (See also Silica Gel).
Soil Gas: The gas present in soil which may contain radon.
Soil - Gas Retarder: A continuous membrane or other material used to retard the flow of soil
gases into a building.
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient The solar heat gain coefficient, also called a shading coefficient, is a
(SHGC): measure of how well a window absorbs or reflects heat from the sun. The
lower the coefficient, the better the window is at blocking the sun's heat.
Windows in hot or temperate climates should have a low SHGC; south-
facing windows in cold climates should have a high SHGC.
Solenoid: A magnetically operated coil that closes, opens, or shifts a valve. It is the
control mechanism for a valve.
Sound Attenuators: Components which are inserted into the air distribution system and
designed to reduce airborne noise which is propagated along the ducts.
Sound Rating Number: Sound is measured in bels (a bel equals 10 decibels). The SRN of a unit is
(SRN) based on ARI test performed at ARI standard rating conditions. Average
sound rating ranges from 7.0 to 8.0 decibels. The lower the SRN rating,
the quieter the unit.
Source Control: A preventive strategy for reducing airborne contaminant levels through
removal of the material or activity generating the pollutants.
Sources: Sources of indoor air pollutants. Indoor air pollutants can originate within
the building or be drawn in from outdoors. Common sources include
people, fixtures, furnishings, photocopiers, plants, food, etc.
Spark Ignition: Intermittent ignition device that utilizes a spark to light a flame.
Specific Heat: The amount of heat necessary to change the temperature of one pound of
a substance by 1 F.
Specifications: An explicit description of the characteristics required of a facility or a
component, or of the performance to be delivered; typically a part of the
plans and specifications.
Specified: The term specified is a cross-reference to paragraphs or schedules in
the specifications and to similar means of recording requirements in the
Contract Documents. The specifications include the General Provisions,
Special Provisions and the Technical Specifications for the project.
Terms Description
Specific Speed: A dimensionless parameter based on fan rotational speed, flow rating and
pressure rating. It's a tool used to select the type of fan for a specific
application. Each different fan type achieves peak efficiency at a unique
specific speed range.
Specific Volume: The volume of a substance per unit of mass; i.e., standard air 13.33 cubic
feet per pound. The reciprocal of density.
Split System: This describes an air-conditioning or heat pump system that is split into
two sections: an outdoor section and an indoor section.
A refrigeration or an air-conditioning system that consists of a "hot" side or
the condensing unit (including the condensing coil, the compressor and
the fan) which is situated outside. The hot side is connected to the "cold"
side located inside via supply and return refrigerant lines. The cold side
consists of an expansion valve and a cold coil, and it is usually part of the
furnace or some type of an air handler. The furnace blows air through an
evaporator coil, which cools the air. This cool air is routed throughout the
house by means of a series of air ducts. This type of set up is also used
with heat pump installations.
Spore: Molds reproduce by means of spores which are microscopic. They vary in
shape and size (2 to 100 micrometers). Spores may travel in several
ways: they may be passively moved (by a breeze or water drop),
mechanically disturbed (by a person or animal passing by), or actively
discharged by the mold (usually under moist conditions or high humidity).
Spread: (LS) (for a supply Maximum distance between two vertical planes tangent to a specified
air terminal device) envelope and perpendicular to a plane through the core center. The
spread is generally referred to as the envelope corresponding to 0.25 m/s
for zero supply temperature differential (i.e., under isothermal conditions).
Spud: A threaded opening on the water heater tank.
Square Foot of Heating Equivalent Direct Radiation (EDR). By definition, that amount of heating
Surface: surface which will give off 240 Btu per hour when filled with a heating
medium at 215 F and surrounded by air at 70 F. The equivalent square
foot of heating surface may have no direct relation to the surface area.
SRN: (Sound Rating Sound is measured in bels (a bel equals 10 decibels). The SRN of a unit is
Number) based on ARI test performed at ARI standard rating conditions. Average
sound rating ranges from 7.0 to 8.0 decibels. The lower the SRN rating,
the quieter the unit.
Stack Effect (aka Chimney The movement of air into and out of buildings, chimneys, flue gas stacks,
Effect): or other containers, and is driven by buoyancy. When the building is
warmer than the ambient environment, the air in the building is less dense
than the air outside at ground level. Thus, outdoor air tends to enter the
building through cracks and open doors on the lower levels. This air then,
moves upward through the building via shafts and other vertical openings,
and exits the building through cracks and openings in the upper levels.
The flow pattern reverses during the summer months when the
temperatures inside the building are cooler than the ambient environment.
The stack effect helps drive natural ventilation and infiltration.
Stagnant Zone: A volume of a space in which there is low air velocity and the potential for
increased stratification and poorer air quality.
Stand By Loss: The amount of heat lost while a unit is in a stand-by mode.
Standard Air Density: .075 pounds per cubic foot. Equivalent to dry air at 70 F and at sea level
pressure.
Standard Air: Standard air is dry air (no moisture content) with its properties measured
at a referenced altitude, temperature, and pressure. IP: 0.075 lb/ft3 at sea
level, 68 F, 29.921 inches Hg. SI: 1.29 g/liter at sea level, 20 C, 101.325
kPa (760 mm Hg). (See also Dry Air). Standard air values are used in
HVAC calculations and rating of equipment performance to allow for a
means of comparison. Correction factors for altitude and temperature are
applied to calculations and performance data in order to determine the
performance of equipment at "actual" conditions.
Terms Description
Standard Cubic Feet per The volumetric rate of airflow at standard air conditions.
Minute (SCFM):
Standard: A basis for comparison and assessment of the behavior or characteristics
of a system, established by law, regulation, consensus, or common
practice. (See also Benchmark).
Start-up Start-up activity of a building includes testing and adjusting HVAC,
electrical, plumbing, and other systems to assure proper functioning and
adherence to design criteria. It follows a set criteria and instructions based
on codes and specifications.
State Condition: Substances can exist in three states: solid, liquid or vapor.
Static Pressure: Pressure is the force exerted per unit area by a gas or liquid in ductwork.
In air distribution systems, static pressure is equal to the total pressure
minus velocity pressure and represents the pressure exerted by the air at
rest. Air distribution pressures are typically measured in inches of water
(in. H2O) or Pascals (Pa). (See also Pressure, Static; Pressure, Total; and
Pressure, Velocity).
Static Tap: A means by which static pressures of a duct system may be read directly;
usually consisting of a small diameter hole in the side of the duct
connected to a manometer.
Statistical Significance: The probability that and degree to which the results of an experimental
study describe an actual relationship between two factors beyond that
which might be expected by pure coincidence.
Stator: The part of the motor that is fixed, typically found in the hub of the fan.
Steam Heating System: A heating system in which the heating units give up their heat to the room
by condensing the steam furnished to them by a boiler or other source.
Steam Trap: A device for allowing the passage of condensate and air, but preventing
the passage of steam.
Steam: Water in the vapor phase. The vapor formed when water has been heated
to its boiling point, corresponding to the pressure it is under.
Storage Tank: A tank used to hold a specific volume of water.
Storm Windows: An extra pane of glass or plastic added to a window to reduce air
infiltration and boost the insulation value of a window. If you are
considering adding storm windows, you should compare the costs to
installing new energy-efficient windows.
Straight Cool: This is an air-conditioner that uses different forms of heating such as
Natural Gas, LP Gas, Electric Resistance heat and oil.
Strainer: A filter applied on the pipes to retain the particulates while allowing the
fluid to pass through; typically applied at the suction of pumps.
Stratification: The creation of a series of horizontal layers of air with different
characteristics (e.g., temperature, pollutant concentration) within a
conditioned space. Underfloor air distribution (UFAD) systems and other
displacement ventilation-based systems rely on the upward convection of
air driven by thermal plumes to remove heat loads and contaminants from
a space. This results in both thermal and pollutant stratification in which a
layer of warmer, more polluted air forms above the occupied zone where it
will not affect the occupants.
Stratification Level: In a displacement ventilation system, a stratification level is established at
the height in the room where the air flow rate in the thermal plumes equals
the total supply air volume entering the room at or near the floor level. The
stratification level divides the room into two zones (upper and lower)
having distinct air flow conditions. The lower zone below the stratification
level has no recirculation and is close to displacement flow. The upper
zone above the stratification level is characterized by recirculating flow
producing a fairly well mixed region. In a properly designed displacement
ventilation system, the stratification level is maintained near the top of the
occupied zone (1.8 m [6 ft]).
Terms Description
Stratosphere: The gases that encircle the Earth as part of the atmosphere. The
stratosphere is a layer of the atmosphere 9 to 31 miles above the Earth.
Ozone in the stratosphere filters out harmful sun rays, including a type of
sunlight called ultraviolet B, which has been linked to health and
environmental damage.
Subcooling: Cooling of a liquid, at a constant pressure, below the point at which it was
condensed. In refrigeration, subcooling refers to removing sensible heat
from a refrigerant liquid.
Subcooled Liquid: Liquid refrigerant which is cooled below its saturation temperature.
Sublimation: A condition where a substance changes from a solid to a gas without
becoming a liquid.
Sub-Membrane A system designed to achieve lower sub-membrane air pressure relative
Depressurization System: to crawlspace air pressure by use of a fan-powered vent drawing air from
under the soil-gas-retarder membrane.
Submit: The term submit shall mean, unless otherwise defined in greater detail,
transmit to the Engineer for approval, information, and record.
Sub-Slab Depressurization System designed to achieve lower sub-slab air pressure relative to indoor
System (Active): air pressure by use of a fan-powered vent drawing air from under the slab.
Sub-Slab Depressurization System designed to achieve lower sub-slab air pressure relative to indoor
System (Passive): air pressure by use of a vent pipe routed through the conditioned space of
a building and connecting the sub-slab area with outdoor air, thereby
relying solely on the convective flow of air upward in the vent to draw air
from beneath the slab.
Subsystem: Functional part of a system, and often used interchangeably with that term
(e.g., the guide way and controls of a rail transit system, the heating
subsystem of the HVAC system).
Such As: The term such as shall always be taken in the most inclusive sense,
namely such as, but not limited to.
Suction Line Accumulator: A device located in the suction line that intercepts quantities of a liquid
refrigerant, and thereby prevents damage to the compressor.
Suction Line: A tube used to convey the refrigerant vapor from the evaporator outlet to
the suction inlet of the compressor.
Super Cooled Liquid: Liquid refrigerant cooled below its saturation point.
Superheat: Superheat is the extra heat added to the refrigerant vapor beyond what is
required to vaporize all of the liquid.
Superheated Vapor: Refrigerant vapor heated beyond its saturation point.
Superheating: Creating a rise in temperature by adding heat energy to a refrigeration
vapor.
Supplementary Heat: The auxiliary or emergency heat provided at temperatures below a heat
(Emergency Heat) pump's balance point. It is usually electrical resistance heat.
Supply (Procurement): The terms supply and procurement shall mean to purchase, procure,
acquire, and deliver complete with related accessories.
Supply Air: The air entering a space through an outlet, diffuser or grille, having been
delivered from the air-handling unit (AHU).
Supply Duct: The duct system through which supply air is delivered to the conditioned
space from the AHU, local fan, or other air movement device. Supply air
ductwork extends from the fan or air handling unit to all the diffusers,
registers and grilles.
Supply Mains: The pipes through which the heating medium flows from the boiler or
source of supply to the run-outs and risers leading to the heating units.
Surface Thermometers: As the name implies, surface thermometers have a temperature probe that
can be placed directly on a surface to see what the temperature is.
Switchover Valve: A device in a heat pump that reverses the flow of refrigerant as the system
is switched from cooling to heating. Also called a reversing valve or four-
way valve.
Terms Description
Synthesized: Manmade material designed and manufactured for specific properties
similar or identical to naturally occurring elements or for enhanced
performance or economy.
System: Collection of subsystems, components, or elements that work together,
e.g., to provide some major aspect of infrastructure's services (such as a
water distribution system, a building electrical system, etc.); the value of
the assemblage is greater than the sum of its part. Also, a set of building
components specifically designed to work together to facilitate
construction (e.g., modular building system).
System Impedence: The resistance to air flow when moving air through an airflow system.
Examples: air filters, air grilles and abrupt changes in flow direction.
System Operating Point: The point of operation of the air mover on its air performance curve. It is
described by an airflow and static pressure point. The operating point is
that point on the air mover performance curve where the system
resistance curve crosses the air performance curve.
Systems Control: The control of indoor air pollutants through the use of mechanical means
such as ventilation control or air cleaning.

T & P Valve: Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve: A safety device used to expel
excess pressure or temperature from inside a tank.
Tankless Water Heater: An instantaneous heater that does not require a storage tank.
Task/Ambient Conditioning Any space conditioning system that allows occupants to individually
(TAC) System: control the thermal environment in the localized zone of their work space
while still maintaining acceptable environmental conditions in the buildings
ambient spaces (circulation and open-use spaces for example). This is
typically achieved by enabling occupants to adjust the volume and
direction of the air supply serving their workspace according to their
personal preferences. Therefore TAC systems generally include a large
number of supply diffusers throughout a building, of which many are
located in close proximity to the occupants.
Temperature Differential: The difference between the entering and leaving temperature for a given
fluid. For example, a 10 F evaporator temperature differential for a chiller
would describe an operating condition, where the entering water
temperature is 54 F and the leaving is 44 F.
Temperature Rise: The number of degrees Fahrenheit (F) the incoming cold water must be
raised to reach the desired hot water temperature.
Temperature: Temperature is a measure of heat content.
Dry bulb: The temperature of an air sample indicated by an ordinary
thermometer. Wet bulb: The temperature of an air sample indicated by a
thermometer when the bulb is covered with a saturated wick over which
the air passes at approximately 1,000 fpm, and when the air temperature
reaches the equilibrium temperature of the water evaporating into the air.
The heat of vaporization is supplied by the sensible heat of the air sample.
Testing, Adjusting, And The diagnostic and corrective procedures for HVAC controls and operating
Balancing (TAB) components to ensure provision of specified airflow rates and
environmental conditions.
Therm: Another measurement of heat; (1 therm = 100,000 Btu).
Thermal (Energy) Storage: A design concept that lowers the amount of electricity needed for comfort
conditioning during utility peak load periods. Buildings thermal energy
storage system might, for example, use off-peak power to make ice or to
chill water at night, later using the ice or chilled water in a power saving
process for cooling during the day.
Thermal Comfort: That condition of mind that expresses satisfaction with the thermal
environment. Thermal comfort is influenced by both subjective and
objective factors. Heat transfer between the human body and the
environment, and hence acceptance of the thermal environment is
influenced by a combination of environmental factors (air temperature,
radiant temperature, air velocity, humidity) and personal factors (clothing
Terms Description
and activity level). There is also evidence that people who know they have
control over their local thermal environment are more tolerant of
temperature variations, making it easier to satisfy their comfort
preferences.
Thermal Efficiency: Ability to transfer and absorb heat from the fuel source into the water.
Thermal Expansion: Water, a non-compressible liquid, expands when heated.
Thermal Mass: Material within a building, such as concrete or brick, that absorbs and
holds heat, thereby, lessening energy costs. Building thermal mass can be
used to reduce the peak cooling load. For example, in summer, the
building mass can be pre-cooled during non-peak hours in order to reduce
the cooling load in the peak hours. As a result, the cooling load is shifted
in time and the peak demand is reduced. The building mass can be cooled
most effectively during unoccupied hours because it is possible to relax
the comfort constraints.
Thermal Plume: The upward movement of warm air due to buoyancy forces above a heat
source (e.g., person, computer, lights) in a room. The air volume in a rising
thermal plume increases with height as the plume entrains ambient air.
Thermal Stratification: The creation of a series of horizontal layers of air having increasing
temperature with height within a conditioned space. Underfloor air
distribution systems, and other displacement ventilation-based systems,
rely on the upward convection of air driven by thermal plumes to remove
heat loads and contaminants from a space. This results in both thermal
and pollutant stratification in which a layer of warmer, more polluted air
forms above the occupied zone where it will not affect the occupants. (See
also Stratification).
Thermal Zone: A single or group of neighboring indoor spaces that the HVAC designer
expects will have similar thermal loads. Building codes may require zoning
to save energy in commercial buildings. Zones are defined in the building
to reduce the number of HVAC subsystems, and thus initial cost. For
example, for perimeter offices, rather than one zone for each office, all
offices facing west can be combined into one zone. Small residences
typically have only one conditioned thermal zone, plus unconditioned
spaces such as unconditioned garages, attics, and crawlspaces, as well
as unconditioned basements.
Thermistor: Basically a semiconductor which has electrical resistance that varies
inversely with temperature.
Thermocouple: A small electric generator. Electron flow between the hot junction of 1,200
F and the cold junction of 600 F creates mV.
Thermodynamics: The study of the transformation of energy into other manifested forms and
of their practical applications.
Thermometer: An instrument used to detect differences in the level of heat.
Thermostat Lower: A device which automatically maintains a predetermined temperature in an
appliance.
Thermostat Sub-base: When installed with a thermostat, it permits selection of function for
heating, cooling, automatic changeover and blower cycling or continuous
operation.
Thermostat Upper: A device which automatically maintains a predetermined temperature in an
appliance, usually equipped with a safety shut-off.
Thermostat, Air-Sensing: Thermostat unit in which a sensing element is located in the refrigerated
space.
Thermostat, Setback: A state-of-the-art electronic thermostat with a built-in memory that can be
(Programmable Thermostat) programmed for different temperature settings at different times of the day.
A device containing a clock mechanism, which can automatically change
the inside temperature maintained by the HVAC system according to a
preset schedule. The heating or cooling requirements can be reduced
when a building is unoccupied or when occupants are asleep.
Terms Description
Thermostat: An automatic control device that is responsive to temperature and used to
control temperature in a conditioned space or zone. This device
communicates information to the HVAC control unit which adjusts the
temperature or air flow volume of the supply air to maintain the
temperature measured at the thermostat within a pre-programmed comfort
range around a setpoint temperature.
Thermostatic Control: A means of automatically controlling the operation of an HVAC system
component, collection of components, or complete system in response to
information about air temperatures as registered by one or more
thermostats located within the conditioned space.
Thermostatic Expansion A modulating flow valve that controls the flow of refrigerant to the indoor
Valve (TXV): (evaporator) coil. This valve can sense leaving gas temperature and
adjusts based on changing occupancy loads to create more capacity. This
type of valve fails regularly.
Thermostatic Trap: A type of steam trap, which opens by a drop in temperature such as when
cold condensate of air reaches it, and closes it when steam reaches it.
The temperature sensitive element is usually a sealed bellow or series of
diaphragm chambers containing a small quantity of volatile liquid.
Threshold Limit Values: Guidelines recommended by the American Conference of Governmental
(TLVs) Industrial Hygienists.
Threshold: (IAQ) The contaminant dose or exposure level below which there is no expected
significant effect.
Throw: (ft) The maximum distance between the center of the core and a plane which
is tangent to a specified envelope and perpendicular to the intended
direction of flow. The throw is generally referred to as the envelope
corresponding to 0.25 m/s for zero supply temperature differential (i.e.,
under isothermal conditions).
Tight Building Syndrome: A condition in which a building is very tightly insulated against infiltration,
(TBS) its ventilation is reduced for energy conservation, and airborne
contaminants are sufficiently elevated to cause health effects in
occupants. Often used synonymously with sick building syndrome (SBS).
Time Delay: Usually refers to a device that will not allow the condenser to restart for an
average of 5 minutes.
Time Horizon: The period of time considered by an analyst or decision maker in choosing
among alternative designs or management strategies; typically the
economic life is the primary factor in making decisions such as lease or
purchase, build or buy, and renew or replace.
Tons of Refrigeration (TR): The amount of heat necessary to completely melt one ton of ice in 24
hours. One tone of refrigeration is equal to heat extraction at 200 BTUs
per minute, 12,000 Btus per hour, and 288,000 Btus in 24 hours. This is
based on the latent heat of fusion for ice which is 144 Btus per pound.
Typically, a window unit is less than 2 ton, central home AC is 1 to 3 tons
and commercial is over 3 tons.
Tons/Tonnage: The unit of measure for an air conditioning system's capacity. (See also
Tons of Refrigeration).
Total Air Flow Rate: Sum of the primary and secondary air flow rates which are moved in the
treated space.
Total Efficiency: A measure of an air mover efficiency based on its air horsepower in terms
of flow and total pressure vs. required shaft input power.
Total Heat (Enthalpy): Total heat energy in a substance. The sum of sensible and latent heat.
Total Home Comfort The ultimate solution to providing consistent and customized home
System: comfort, despite the ever-changing weather.
Total Pressure: Pressure is the force exerted per unit area by a gas or liquid. In air
distribution systems, the total pressure is equal to the sum of static
pressure and velocity pressure. Air distribution pressures are typically
measured in inches of water (in. H2O) or Pascals (Pa). (See also Static
Pressure and Velocity Pressure).
Total Pressure: The sum of all partial pressures in a mixture of gases.
Terms Description
Total Volatile Organic A measure representing the sum of all VOCs present in the air to provide
Compounds (TVOCs): an approximate indication of pollutant levels. Indoor air typically contains
hundreds of different VOCs in very low concentrations, some of which can
have additive effects.
Toxicant: A substance that can cause tissue damage or otherwise affect organs or
systems within the body.
Tracer Gas: Compounds, such as sulfur hexafluoride, which are used to identify
suspected pollutant pathways and to quantify ventilation rates.
Transformer: A device, which through electromagnetic induction but without the use of
moving parts, transforms alternating or intermittent electric energy in one
circuit into energy of similar type in another circuit; commonly with altered
values of voltage and current.
Transmittance: The time rate of heat flow per unit area under steady conditions, from the
air (or other fluid) on the warm side of a barrier to the air (or fluid) on the
cool side, per unit temperature difference between the two sides.
Trap: A depression or dip in refrigerant piping in which oil will collect. A trap may
be placed at the base of a suction or hot gas riser to improve oil return up
the riser.
Two-Pipe System (Steam or A heating system in which one pipe is used for the supply main and
Water): another for the return main. The essential feature of a two-pipe hot water
system is that each heating unit receives a direct supply of the heating
medium, which cannot have served a preceding heating unit.
2.5% Design: 2.5% Design refers to the outdoor conditions which a designer may
assume for estimating the cooling load. Theoretically it means the outside
summer temperatures and coincident air moisture content that will be
exceeded only 2.5% of the hours from June to September. In other words,
2.5% design conditions are outdoor temperatures which historically
exceeded 73 out of the 2,928 hours in these summer months.

UA: A measure of the amount of heat that would be transferred through a

given surface or enclosure (such as a building envelope) with a one
degree temperature difference between the two sides. The UA is
calculated by multiplying the U-Value, or overall heat transfer coefficient U,
by the area of the surface (or surfaces) A.
Unconditioned Space: A space that is neither directly nor indirectly conditioned space, which can
be isolated from conditioned space by partitions and/or closeable doors.
Underfloor Air Distribution A UFAD system uses an underfloor plenum (open space between the
(UFAD) System: structural concrete slab and the underside of a raised floor system) to
deliver conditioned air from the AHU directly into the occupied zone of the
building. Air can be delivered through a variety of supply outlets typically
located at floor level, or integrated as part of the office furniture and
partitions. Return grilles are located at ceiling level, or at least above the
occupied zone. Under cooling conditions, underfloor systems produce an
overall floor-to-ceiling air flow pattern, similar in principle to displacement
ventilation. This upward convection of warm air is used to efficiently
remove heat loads and contaminants from the space. In contrast to true
displacement ventilation systems, UFAD systems deliver supply air at
higher volumes and higher velocities, thereby enabling higher heat loads
to be met.
The UFAD systems supply air at a higher temperature than that for ceiling-
based systems (typically 18C (65F) for UFAD and 13C (55F) for ceiling
HVAC).
Underfloor Plenum: The volume of a conditioned space above the stratification level produced
by a displacement ventilation system.
Terms Description
Unit Heater: A heating unit consisting of a heat transfer element, housing, a fan with
driving motor, and outlet, deflectors or diffusers. It is usually suspended
from the ceiling and its heat output is controlled by starting and stopping
the fan by a room thermostat. The circulation of the heating medium
(steam or hot water) is usually continuous. It is used mostly for industrial
heating.
Unit Ventilator: A fan-coil unit device for the use outdoor; return-air mixing is intended to
satisfy temperature requirements and ventilation needs.
Upflow Furnace: A furnace that pulls cool return air in from the bottom and blows/expels
warm air out the top into the duct work. This type of furnace is usually
installed in a basement or in an out-of-the-way closet.
Usable Storage: The percentage of hot water that can be drawn from a tank before the
temperature drops to a point that is no longer considered hot.
Useful Thermal Output: The thermal energy made available for use in any industrial or commercial
process, or used in any heating or cooling application, i.e., total thermal
energy made available for processes and applications other than electrical
generation.
U-value - (or U-factor): More correctly called the overall heat transfer coefficient, describes how
well a building element conducts heat. It measures the rate of heat
transfer through a building element over a given area under standardized
conditions. The usual standard is at a temperature gradient of 24 C, at
50% humidity with no wind (a smaller U-value is better). U is the inverse of
R with SI units of W/(mK) and US units of BTU/(h F ft).

Vacuum Heating System A one- or two-pipe heating system equipped with the necessary accessory
(Steam): apparatus to permit the pressure in the system to go below atmospheric.
Vacuum: Any pressure below atmospheric pressure.
Value Engineering: Defined as an organized effort directed at analyzing the function of
construction operations, systems, equipment, facilities, procedures,
methods, and supplies to determine if anticipated costs are consistent with
the requirements for performance, quality, safety, and maintainability.
Valves: Components inserted into the pipes to regulate flow or permit
shutdown/modification of the fluid flow. (See also Gate, Globe, Butterfly
and Check Valve).
Vapor Barrier: The term vapor barrier means an impervious layer of material
superimposed upon a layer of insulation. Vapor barriers are always
applied on the warm side of the insulation layer.
Vapor Heating System A two-pipe heating system which operates under pressure at or near
(Steam): atmospheric temperature and which returns the condensation to the boiler
or receiver by gravity.
Vapor Pressure: The pressure exerted by vapor.
Vaporization: The change of state (phase) of a substance from liquid to vapor. Requires
an input or energy.
Variable Air Volume (VAV): A control strategy of an air supply system in which varying heating and
cooling loads are met by adjusting the air flow volume, keeping the
temperature of the air constant. Alternatively, a constant air volume,
variable temperature (CAV-VT) system can be employed in which the
temperature of the air flow is varied, while the volume is kept constant.
This system is generally employed for the multiple zones for dedicated
control and energy efficiency.
In VAV system, fan energy is saved because the amount of air moved
varies with the load. This is a powerful, non-linear relationship and all
other things being equal, a 25% reduction in flow translates to a 58%
reduction in fan horsepower. The need in most systems to maintain some
fixed discharge pressure at the inlet to the terminal units detracts from this
somewhat, but there are still significant savings to be realized.
Dehumidification is greater with VAV systems than it is with constant
volume systems which modulate the discharge air temperature to attain
Terms Description
part load cooling capacity.
Control of the system's fan capacity is critical in VAV systems. Without
proper and rapid flow rate control, the system's ductwork or its sealing can
easily be damaged by over-pressurization.
VAV Box: A variable air volume control box. Typically, a VAV box is ducted on its
inlet and uses dampers to control the volume of air discharged from the
unit.
Velocity Pressure: Pressure is the force exerted per unit area by a gas or liquid. In air
distribution systems, velocity pressure is the pressure due to the velocity
and density of the moving air. Air distribution pressures are typically
measured in inches of water (in. H2O) or Pascals (Pa). (See also
Pressure, Static and Pressure, Total).
Venturi: The housing or frame of the fan.
Vent Valve (Steam): A device for permitting air to be forced out of a heating unit or pipe and
which closes against water and steam.
Vent Valve (Water): A device permitting air to be pushed out of a pipe or heating unit but which
closes against water.
Ventilation Air: Defined as the total air which is a combination of the air brought inside
from outdoors and the air that is being recirculated within the building.
Ventilation Effectiveness: Ventilation effectiveness describes the systems ability to remove
pollutants generated by internal sources in a space, zone, or building. In
comparison, air change effectiveness describes the ability of an air
distribution system to ventilate a space, zone, or building.
Ventilation Efficiency: An evaluation of the pollutant removal capacity of a ventilation system.
Ventilation Rate: The rate at which indoor air enters and leaves a building. Expressed in
one of two ways: the number of changes of outdoor air per unit of time (air
changes per hour, or "ach"), or the rate at which a volume of outdoor air
enters per unit of time (cubic feet per minute, or "cfm").
Ventilated Spaces: The term ventilated spaces typically means spaces or areas supplied
with outdoor air on a continuous or intermittent basis. The outdoor air may
be conditioned or unconditioned.
Ventilation Standard: A specification for the minimum rate of input of outdoor air into indoor
spaces. ASHRAE 62 standard provides indoor air quality guidelines.
Ventilation: The process of intentionally supplying outside air to a building achieved by
either natural or mechanical (forced) means. Such air may or may not
have been conditioned or treated.
Ventilator: A ventilator captures heating or cooling energy from stale indoor air and
transfers it to fresh incoming air.
Venting Materials: Materials used for venting; i.e. PVC, CPVC, ABS, metal.
Variable Frequency Drive A VFD (also called an Inverter) is a variable speed drive technology that
(VFD): varies the speed of an alternating current (A.C.) motor by varying the
frequency of the A.C. power applied to it. In general terms, the drive
circuitry rectifies the incoming A.C. utility power into pulsed direct current
(D.C.) (hence the term inverter); modifies the frequency and voltage;
then coverts the power back to A.C. for use by the motor. There are a
variety of technologies used to accomplish the rectification and wave form
modification.
Volatile Organic One of a class of chemical compounds; indoor sources include tobacco
Compounds (VOCs): smoke, building products, furnishings, cleaning materials, solvents, and
office supplies. Sources that may emit VOCs into indoor air are
housekeeping and maintenance products as well as building and
furnishing materials.
Volt (V): A unit of electromotive force. It is the amount of force required to drive a
steady current of one ampere through a resistance of one ohm. Electrical
systems of most homes and offices have 120 V in the US and 220 V in the
UK.
Terms Description
Watt (W): A watt is a unit of electricity. One watt of power maintained over time is
equal to one joule per second or 3.414 Btu per hour.
Warm Air Heating System: A warm air heating plant consists of a heating unit (fuel-burning furnace)
enclosed in a casing, from which the heated air is distributed to the various
rooms of the building through ducts.
If the motive head producing flow depends on the difference in weight
between the heated air leaving the casing and the cooler air entering the
bottom of the casing, it is termed a gravity system. However, a booster fan
may be used in conjunction with a gravity-designed system.
If a fan is used to produce circulation and the system is designed
especially for fan circulation, it is termed a fan furnace system or a central
fan furnace system. A fan furnace system may include air washers, filters,
etc.
Waste Heat Recovery Unit A device purchased as an accessory to an air/heating system to enhance
(WHRU or HRU): the energy efficiency by recovering the waste heat to useful work. For
instance, in the refrigeration system a WHRU mounts on the wall outside
by the outdoor unit, and receives hot refrigerant gas from the compressor.
Inside of it is a small circulating pump and a fluid heat exchanger. Water is
pulled down the water lines from the water heater, and in effect heats the
hot water in the home at no cost.
Water Hammer: A concussion or sound of moving water against the side of a containing
pipe or vessel.
Water Jacket: The condenser coil of water serve unit. Water and hot Freon gas are
pumped through this jacket in opposing directions. During this process, the
water extracts heat from the Freon gas; essentially acting as a water-
cooled condenser).
Water Manometer: Used to measure pressure in inches of water.
Water Solenoid: A magnetic solenoid that operates a water flow valve.
Water Vapor: Water vapor can be treated as a gaseous state. Air can hold certain water
vapor, which is a function of temperature. The higher the temperature, the
more water vapor it can hold. At 100% Relative humidity, the air becomes
fully saturated. This means it can no longer accept any moisture. The
tendency of absorption increases with temperature.
Water-Source: Water is being used as the heat source or heat sink for a heat pump.
Sources of underground water are wells, and sources of surface water are
lakes, large ponds and rivers.
Waterway Fitting: A channel through which water can flow; connects water heater to inlet
and outlet lines.
Watt Density: Amount of watts concentrated per square inch of element blade surface
area.
Watt-Hour: (W-hr) One watt of power expended for one hour. An electrical energy unit of
measure equal to 1 watt of power supplied to, or taken from, an electric
circuit steadily for 1 hour.
WBT: Wet Bulb Temperature
Water Column (WC): Common measure of air pressure used in HVAC systems.
Weather Stripping: Specially designed strips, seals and gaskets installed around doors and
windows to limit air leakage.
Weeping: Tendency of a deliquescent material to become a liquid solution and
"weep", drip, leak or run from a dehumidification wheel, typically using
lithium chloride as the absorbent.
Wet Bulb Temperature Temperature read with a thermometer whose bulb is encased in a wetted
(WBT): wick.
The wet bulb temperature and the dry bulb temperature (i.e. air
temperature) are used to calculate relative humidity or dewpoint. At 100%
relative humidity, the dry bulb temperature is equal to the wet bulb
temperature.
Wet Return (Steam): That part of a return main of a steam heating system which is completely
filled with condensate water.
Terms Description
Whole-House Fan: A large fan used to ventilate an entire house. This is usually located in the
highest ceiling in the house, and vents to the attic or the outside. Although
whole-house fans are a good way to draw hot air from the house, they
should be covered and insulated during the winter when they often
continue to draw hot air from the house.
Will: As a common accepted practice, the term will typically indicates an action
which is probable on the part of the Contractor. (Same as should).
Working Pressure: Maximum pressure of the operating system permissible.

Yearly Cost: The cost of operating for a year.

Year-Round: A term used for an air-conditioner which uses gas or oil for heating.

Zeolite: A natural mineral having desiccant properties. Synthetic zeolites, called

molecular sieves, are made in a variety of forms and are used for
dehumidification and also for treating the water hardness using the ion-
exchange principle.
Zero-Pressure Plenum: In this system configuration, the underfloor plenum is maintained at nearly
the same static pressure as that of the conditioned space. Supply air is
delivered to the plenum by the central AHU, and small fan-powered air
outlets are used to discharge air from the plenum into the conditioned
space. Some systems may create a slight negative pressure in the plenum
to draw recirculated air (typically directly from the room through open floor
grilles, or down from the ceiling through shafts) into the plenum where it is
mixed with the supply air from the AHU. (See also Pressurized Plenum).
Zonal Control: A method of designing and controlling the HVAC system so that occupied
areas can be maintained at a different temperature than unoccupied
areas, using independent setback thermostats. If specific requirements are
met, zonal control may earn a credit towards compliance with whatever
building energy efficiency standards are applicable.
Zone Heat: A central heating system in a building, designed to allow different
temperatures to be maintained in two or more parts of the building.
Zone: A zone is defined as a space or group of spaces in a building having
similar heating and cooling requirements throughout its occupied areas so
that comfort conditions may be controlled by a single thermostat.
Zoning: The practice of dividing a building into smaller zones for the HVAC
system, thereby providing the opportunity to control comfort levels in each
zone. For example, buildings may be zoned into individual floors, rooms,
or spaces with distinct loads, such as perimeter and interior zones.