DEFINITIONS

AFUE - Furnaces are rated by Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency: the percent of heat produced for every dollar of fuel consumed. Like the miles per gallon on your car, the higher the AFUE rating, the lower your fuel costs. All furnaces manufactured today must meet at least 78% AFUE.

Btu - British thermal unit is the amount of heat that will raise or lower the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit (Btuh - Btu's per hour).

Closed Loop - A geothermal heat pump system that uses a continuous loop of thermal-fused buried plastic pipe as a heat exchanger. The pipe is connected to the indoor heat pump to for a sealed, underground loop thorough which an antifreeze solution is circulated.

COP - Coefficient of Performance is a ratio that compares the heating capacity of a heat pump to the amount of electricity required to operate the heat pump. The higher the COP, the more efficient.

Compressor - The pump on the outside unit that draws a vacuum on the cooling side of refrigerant cycle and squeezes the gas into the high pressure side of the cycle.

Condenser - Outside portion of central system that receives hot, high pressure refrigerant gas from the compressor and cools gaseous refrigerant until it returns to a liquid state.

Damper - A valve or plate installed in the ductwork to regulate the amount of air flowing through the duct. Dampers can also be used in the flue of a furnace.

Dehumidifier - Sole function is to remove moisture from the air by blowing air over a cold coil. Dehumidifiers are typically only needed if the equipment is improperly sized.

Heat Recovery Unit - Connected to a condensing unit and water heater, this device uses the hot refrigerant gases from the condenser to heat water for the water heater.

HSPF - Heating Seasonal Performance Factor ratio compares the heating output (capacity) during the heat pump's normal annual usage period to the electric power required to generate that capacity. The Department of Energy (DOE) requires a minimum HSPF of 6.80.

Geothermal heat pump - Electrically powered device that uses the natural heat storage ability of the earth and/or the earth's groundwater to heat and cool a building.

Kilowatt (kw) - Equals 1000 Watts (Watt is a unit of electricity).

Kilowatt Hour (kwh) - Amount of kilowatts of electricity used in one hour of operation.

Open Loop - A geothermal heat pump system that uses groundwater from a conventional well as a heat source.

SEER - Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio describes the relationship between the Btu, or capacity of a unit, and the amount of electricity, or Watt-hours, required to run the unit based on normal usage. Units with higher SEER ratings require less electricity to cool a home, which translates into lower electric bills. Florida requires all new condensing units to have a minimum SEER of 10.00.

Setback Thermostat - Thermostats that are programmed to modulate home temperature throughout the day. They typically pay for themselves within two years.

SR - Sound Rating measured in bels (10 decibels). Average sound levels range from 6.50 to 8.50 and directly affect comfort. Lower numbers indicate quieter units.

Ton - Btuh/12,000. Heat pumps and air conditioners are generally sized in tons. Typical sizes for single family units are between 2 and 5 tons.

Zoning - Divides your home into separate comfort areas and makes your comfort equipment cool or heat only areas that need conditioning at a particular time.

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