Glossary

AFUE
Annualized Fuel Utilization Efficiency is a measure of your furnace’s heating efficiency. The higher the AFUE percentage, the more efficient the furnace. The minimum percentage established by the DOE for furnaces is 78.

Airflow
The distribution or movement of air.

Air Handler/Coil Blower
The indoor part of an air conditioner or heat pump that moves cooled or heated air throughout the ductwork of your home. An air handler is usually a furnace or a blower coil.

Bioaerosols
Microscopic living organisms that grow and multiply in warm, humid places.

BTU
A British thermal unit is a unit of heat energy. One BTUu is the amount of heat required to raise one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. The higher the BTU rating, the greater the heating capacity of the system.

BTUH
British thermal units per hour.

CAE
The Combined Annual Efficiency is a measure of the amount of heat produced for every dollar of fuel consumed for both home and water heating.

Central Air Conditioning System
System in which air is treated at a central location and distributed to and from rooms by one or more fans and a series of ducts.

Compressor
The part of the outdoor air conditioner or heat pump that compresses and pumps refrigerant to meet household cooling requirements.

Condenser Coil
The outdoor portion of an air conditioner or heat pump that either releases or collects heat, depending on the time of the year.

dB
A decibel is a unit used to measure the relative intensity of sound.

DOE
The Department of Energy is a federal agency responsible for setting industry efficiency standards and monitoring the consumption of energy sources.

Ductwork
The method by which air is channeled from the furnace or the blower coil throughout your home.

Electronic Air Cleaner
An electronic device that filters out large particles and bioaerosols in indoor air.

ENERGY STAR®
A label attached to HVAC systems that meet or exceed the EPA guidelines for energy efficiency.

EPA
The Environmental Protection Agency develops and enforces federal environmental regulations. The EPA oversees the nationwide Energy Star® program.