Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio –each air conditioner and heat pump receives a SEER rating, ranging from 13 to 20. The higher the rating, the more energy efficient the HVAC unit operates.


The part of an air conditioner or heat pump that absorbs heat. In an air conditioner, the heat is pushed outside. In a heat pump, the heat is used to heat the home.


Air flows through this type of system so that it can be distributed through a home.


The amount of water vapor that is in the air.


British Thermal Unit –one BTU equals one unit of heat energy. It takes one BTU to raise one pound of water one degree. When a heating unit has a high BTU, this means it has a high heating capacity.


When carbon burns in a home without sufficient amounts of air, an odorless and poisonous gas known as carbon monoxide will be released.


This is the part of an HVAC unit that pumps refrigerant so that cooling requirements can be met and maintained.


Part of an air conditioning unit that gets rid of heat.


This part of an air conditioning unit captures heat and removes it from the part of the unit that needs to be cooled.


A device used in homes to put out heat. It can come as a single unit or be combined with an air conditioning unit, commonly referred to as a central heating and cooling unit.


A type of central heating and cooling unit that takes heat from the ground and uses it to heat a home.


Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning –a unit used in a home to heat and cool the inside.


Basic SI unit of energy.


This heat is required to transform a liquid into a vapor or vice versa without changing the actual temperature.


Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value –Filters have MERV ratings, which describe how big the holes are in the filters. A higher MERV rating means the smaller the holes, which translates into higher efficiency.


A liquid/chemical that’s used in cooling units; this chemical gives off a cooling effect, and it is commonly referred to as Freon.


When a home has an HVAC unit that has components located both inside and outside of the home, this is known as a split system.


When a substance is heated and the temperature itself rises; unlike latent heat where the state of the substance changes but the temperature does not.


The amount of pressure that is exerted on the duct system, but it’s not the pressure coming from any moving air.


A unit of measurement that is used to identify the cooling capacity of an air conditioning unit.


Part of the HVAC system that ventilates the home.


The amount of energy that an HVAC uses. The higher the wattage, the more energy the unit is using.


This is a method used in homes when different rooms require different comfort zones. Zoning provides enhanced heating and cooling, which translates into optimal comfort and efficiency.

At Main Street Heating & Cooling, it is our privilege to partner with you. Committed to exceeding your expectation, our HVAC technicians deliver customizable solutions that are affordable and energy efficient. Contact Main Street Heating & Cooling for a no-obligation, completely free evaluation, and we guarantee your satisfaction.