--- title: HVAC for Dummies - Heating and Air, HVAC for the Average Joe description: Everything you ever wanted to know about Air Conditioning. A glossary of the most commonly used HVAC terms. --- [![](https://www.totalcomfortmech.com/hs-fs/hubfs/TCM_logo.final-02.png?width=594&name=TCM_logo.final-02.png)](https://www.totalcomfortmech.com) [![Call us now!](https://www.totalcomfortmech.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2016_Images/Burlington-Air-Heat-Call-No.png?width=270&name=Burlington-Air-Heat-Call-No.png)](tel:17819991275) ![Burlington MA Heating and Air Conditioning Blog](https://www.totalcomfortmech.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Cover%20Blog2.jpg?width=770&name=Cover%20Blog2.jpg "Burlington MA Heating and Air Conditioning Blog") ## HVAC for Dummies - Heating and Air, HVAC for the Average Joe Find me on: [Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/TotalComfortMech/) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/vickierb/) [Twitter ](https://twitter.com/totalcomfortmec) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [Leave a reply](https://www.totalcomfortmech.com/blog/hvac-for-dummies-heating-and-air-hvac-for-the-average-joe#comments-listing) # Everything you wanted to know about Air Conditioning HVAC (**H**eating - **V**entilation - **A**ir **C**onditioning) can sometimes be overwhelming.  Here we'll break down some of the most commonly used terms in the business, so the next time you call your [heating and air conditioning service](https://www.totalcomfortmech.com/request-service) specialist for help, you'll impress the expert! --- ## ![HVAC-for-Dummies](https://www.totalcomfortmech.com/hs-fs/file-1529523440-png/social-suggested-images/HVAC-for-Dummies.png?width=600&name=HVAC-for-Dummies.png) ## Air Conditioning, HVAC for Dummies - [Air conditioner](https://www.totalcomfortmech.com/air-conditioning): A mechanical device used to control temperature and air movement in a confined space. - BTU/H: (British Thermal Units per Hour): A measure of cooling or heating capacity. - Capacity or Load: A refrigeration rating system usually measured in Btu/h. - Compressor: A refrigeration or air-conditioning system pump that circulates refrigerant through pipes between an outdoor and indoor unit using pressure. - [Ductless Mini-Split](https://www.totalcomfortmech.com/blog/ductless-air-conditioning-explained): Ductless systems consist of one or more outdoor compressor units and indoor air-handling units, called “heads”, linked by a dedicated refrigerant line. There is no ductwork required. - External Static Pressure (ESP): Measure of static pressure losses from ductwork, fittings, dampers, grills, and any other devices located in the airstream. - Freon: See Refrigerant. - [Heat pump](https://www.totalcomfortmech.com/heating): An air conditioning system that provides either heating or cooling - because it can reverse the direction of refrigerant flow. - HSPF (**H**eating **S**eason **P**erformance **F**actor): A rating of the seasonal efficiency of a heat pump unit when operating in the heating mode. - Indoor unit: The air handler of the air conditioning system.  It contains a heat exchange coil, filters, remote signal receiver and fan. - Outdoor Unit: A component of the air conditioning system which contains the compressor, fan, circuit board, and heat exchange coil. It pumps refrigerant to or from the indoor unit. - Refrigerant: Many people commonly refer to refrigerant as **Freon**, which is actually a 'brand' name (much like Kleenex).  Refrigerant is a gas/liquid substance that is used to provide cooling, by direct absorption of heat. The most environmentally-friendly refrigerant at this time is R410A. - Refrigerant lines: Insulated copper tubing through which refrigerant flows to and from the indoor and outdoor unit. - SEER (**S**easonal **E**nergy **E**fficiency **R**atio): The rating of the seasonal efficiency of air conditioning or heating units.  The higher the SEER, the more energy efficient the unit is. - [Split-Ductless System](https://www.totalcomfortmech.com/ductless-mini-split): A system comprised of a remote outdoor condensing unit connected by refrigerant pipes to a matching, non-ducted indoor air handler and a remote controller. Special cases for introducing ventilated air may call for limited ducting to air handler from outside. - Split-zoning System: A system comprised of a remote outdoor condensing unit connected by refrigerant pipes to a matching, indoor air handler that conditions single or multiple room space that is conditioned to a set temperature and is independent from other rooms within the same structure. - Zone (zoning): A single or multiple room space that is conditioned to a set temperature and is independent from other rooms within the same structure.   ---   [![Burlington MA Heating Air Service Area](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/363822/fa87d24b-05d0-4a10-af25-269cf5c1d0e7.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/363822/fa87d24b-05d0-4a10-af25-269cf5c1d0e7) A trained and licensed HVAC contractor can help you determine the appropriate options for your home's air conditioning. For more information, contact the [Total Comfort Mechanical Heating and Air Conditioning Service](https://www.totalcomfortmech.com/request-a-quote)  website or call us at (781) 697-9016.   ---   This entry was tagged [AC](https://www.totalcomfortmech.com/blog/topic/ac), [Ductless](https://www.totalcomfortmech.com/blog/topic/ductless), [Tips](https://www.totalcomfortmech.com/blog/topic/tips), [Heating](https://www.totalcomfortmech.com/blog/topic/heating), [Air Conditioning](https://www.totalcomfortmech.com/blog/topic/air-conditioning), [MiniSplit](https://www.totalcomfortmech.com/blog/topic/minisplit) and posted on August 29, 2014 ### Archives - [December 2013 (2)](https://www.totalcomfortmech.com/blog/archive/2013/12) - [December 2016 (2)](https://www.totalcomfortmech.com/blog/archive/2016/12) - [May 2013 (1)](https://www.totalcomfortmech.com/blog/archive/2013/05) - [June 2013 (1)](https://www.totalcomfortmech.com/blog/archive/2013/06) - [August 2013 (1)](https://www.totalcomfortmech.com/blog/archive/2013/08) - 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