Your HVAC system is more complicated than you might think. There are many components, all of which come together to regulate the temperature in your commercial structure. If you have a problem and need to call a professional, it helps to understand what they are talking about. If you do not know some of the more common terms, then it might be difficult. Here are some things you might hear if you are talking to a commercial HVAC professional.
- Air Handling Unit – This unit pushes the air through the system and mixes it with the hot or cold air. The unit is comprised of the fan, the coils, air filter, and drain pans.
- Compressor – A compressor is the pump that transfers the refrigerant into the condenser and back again. The refrigerant starts off in the evaporator coils before making its journey.
- Condenser – The condenser is located outside, and comes as either a scroll, rotary screw, reciprocating, or centrifugal compressor. It removes the hot or cold air from the air inside by turning the gaseous refrigerant into a liquid.
- EER – The EER stands for the Energy Efficient Ratio. This is the ratio of the electric output compared to the cooling. The higher the ratio, the more efficient your system is.
- Split System – This is what an HVAC system is called when it has components outside the building. The outside portion is connected to the inside through lines.
- Duct – The air ducts are the conduits built into the frame of your structure to move the temperature controlled air through the building.
- The ACCA – ACCA stands for the Air Conditioning Contractors of America. When you are looking for someone to service your system, make sure you choose a contractor certified through this organization so you know you will be getting qualified service.
- Air Balancing – This is the process of making sure that each room in a building is getting an appropriate amount of air.
- Evaporator Coils – Whereas the ducts circulate the conditioned air, the evaporator coils absorb the heat from the air in the building. They are attached to the furnace.
- Variable Speed Motor – Using variable speeds can improve the air circulation in the building. These types of motors use less energy and are not as noisy.
Hopefully with the help of this guide, talking to your HVAC professional about your system will not be quite so intimidating.