The HVAC industry is full of terms that may not mean a thing to you if you’re not in the business. However, if you’re looking to upgrade your A/C, it’s to your advantage to learn some air conditioning basics.

The following are some terms you may hear a contractor say or see on a professional’s website:

• Checking the charge: When an A/C contractor performs this action, he’s checking the amount of refrigerant in the system to make sure it has the right amount of pressure.
• Compressor: This is the part of the air conditioner that controls the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant. The compressor is located inside the condensing unit, on the outside of your home’s air conditioner.
• Coils: The coils in an A/C unit make up the tubing system for the refrigerant to flow and heat transfer to occur. There are two types of coils in an A/C unit: a condenser coil and evaporator coil.
• EER: The EER, or energy efficiency ratio, represents an A/C’s electrical energy efficiency. The higher the EER rating, the more efficient an A/C unit is.
• Expansion device: This is the part of an A/C that releases the pressure made by the compressor, which causes the temperature to drop.
• HVAC: This term is one of the most common air conditioning basics and stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning.
• Plenum: An air compartment above the heat exchange that helps distribute warm or cool air.
• Refrigerant: The fluid that absorbs, transports and releases heat in an A/C unit.
• SEER: The SEER, or seasonal energy efficiency ratio, is a rating that represents an A/C’s efficiency. The higher the SEER rating on a unit, the more efficient it is.
• Single package: An HVAC unit located exclusively outside of the home.
• Split system: An air conditioner that has components inside and outside of a house.

If an A/C contractor uses a term that you aren’t familiar with, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification.

For more expert advice about air conditioning basics and other issues related to home comfort, please feel free to contact Smoky Mountain Heating & Air. We proudly serve homeowners throughout the Asheville area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about air conditioning basics and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Smoky Mountain Heating & Air services Asheville, North Carolina and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!