A B
C D
E F
G H
I K
L M
N O
P R
S T
U V
W Z
A
AC Abbreviation
for alternating current, a type of electric current in which the polarity is constantly
reversing causing the electron flow to reverse.
ACCA Air
Conditioning Contractors of America
Acoustical
Of or pertaining to sound.
AC or DC
Abbreviation for equipment capable of operating on alternating or direct current.
A-Coil
A heat exchanger consisting of two diagonal coils that are joined together in a
manner that looks like the letter "A".
AFUE Annual
Fuel Utilization Efficiency. A measure of a gas furnace's efficiency in converting
fuel to energy - the higher the rating, the more efficient the unit.
AGA Abbreviation
for American Gas Association, Inc.
Air Conditioner Any device that can change the temperature, humidity or general
quality of the air.
Air cleaner (also Air Filtration System)
Removes airborne allergens from your home.
Air Filtration System (also
Air Cleaner) Removes airborne allergens from your
home.
Air flow volume The amount of air the system circulates through your home, expressed
in cubic feet per minute (cfm). Proper air flow depends on the outdoor unit, the
indoor unit, the ductwork and even whether the filters are clean.
Air handler
An air moving and/or mixing unit. Residential air handlers include a blower, a coil,
an expansion device, a heater rack and filter. Heaters for air handlers are sold
as accessories. In some models heaters are factory installed.
ARI Air Conditioning
& Refrigeration Institute
ASHRAE
American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers
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B
BTU British
thermal unit; the amount of heat required to raise or lower the temperature of one
pound of water one degree Fahrenheit. The heat extracted from your home by an air
conditioner is measured in BTUs.
BTUh British
thermal units per hour. 12,000 BTUh equals one ton of cooling.
Burner
A device that uses fuel to support combustion.
Burner orifice The opening through which gas flows to the air/gas mixing chamber
of the burner.
Burner (sealed combustion)
A burner that obtains all air for combustion from outside the
heated space.
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C
CADR Clean
Air Delivery Rate (CADR) provides the number of cubic feet of clean air a unit delivers
each minute. Efficiency of the system times the air flow of the system.
Capacity
The output or producing ability of cooling or heating systems. Cooling and heating
capacities are referred to in British thermal units (BTUs) per hour.
Celsius
The metric temperature scale in which water freezes at zero degrees and boils at
100 degrees, designated by the symbol "C". To convert to Fahrenheit, multiply a
Celsius temperature by 9, divide by 5 and add 32 (25 x 9 equals 225, divided by
5 equals 45, plus 32 equals 77 degrees Fahrenheit).
CFM Abbreviation
for cubic feet per minute, a standard measurement of airflow. A typical system requires
400 cfm per ton of air conditioning.
Charge
To add refrigerant to a system. This is refrigerant contained in a sealed system
or in the sensing bulb to a thermostatic expansion valve.
CleanEffects™ (also Trane CleanEffects™)
Trane Air filtration system that removes 99.98% of airborne allergens
down to .1 microns from the filtered air, making it 100 times more effective that
a standard 1” filter
Climatuff® CompressorThe Trane Climatuff® Compressor was the world's first successful
heat pump compressor. To this day it's the only compressor Trane uses in its residential
systems. It's well known for its superior durability, its low noise levels, and
high efficiency.
Comfort™ Coil (also Evaporator Coil
or Indoor Coil) Part of an indoor air unit, it functions
with the air conditioner or heat pump outdoors to cool and condition indoor air
that flows over it by drawing out heat and moisture.
Compressor
This is the heart of an air conditioning or heat pump system.
It is part of the outdoor unit and pumps refrigerant in order to meet the cooling
requirements of the system.
Condensate
Vapor that liquefies due to the lowering of its temperature to the saturation point.
Condenser coil (or outdoor
coil) In an air conditioner, the coil dissipates heat
from the refrigerant, changing the refrigerant from vapor to liquid. In a heat pump
system, the coil absorbs heat from the outdoors.
Condenser fan The fan that circulates air over the air-cooled condenser.
Contactor
A switch that can repeatedly cycle, making and breaking an electrical circuit. When
sufficient current flows through the A-coil built into the contactor, the resulting
magnetic field causes the contacts to be pulled in or closed.
Crankcase heater
This is the electric resistance heater installed on compressor
crankcases to boil off liquid refrigerant that may have combined with compressor
oil. Many newer cooling systems do not require crankcase heaters, however heat pumps
do require crankcase heaters.
CSA Canadian
Standards Association.
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D
Damper
Found in ductwork, this movable plate opens and closes to control airflow. Dampers
can be used to balance airflow in a duct system. They are also used in zoning to
regulate airflow to certain rooms.
DB (Decibels)
A unit to measure sound.
DC Direct
current electricity. This type of electricity (as opposed to Alternating Current,
or AC) flows in one direction only, without reversing polarity.
Defrost
To melt frost; as in from an air conditioner or heat pump coil.
Degree-day
A degree-day is a computation that gauges the amount of heating or cooling needed
for a building. A degree-day is equal to 65 degrees Fahrenheit minus the mean outdoor
temperature.
Dehumidifier
An air cooler that removes moisture from the air.
Diffuser
A grille over an air supply duct having vanes to distribute the discharging air
in a specific pattern or direction.
DOE Department
of Energy
Downflow furnace
A furnace that intakes air at its top and discharges air at its
bottom.
Drain pan
This also referred to as a condensate pan. This is a pan used to catch and collect
condensate (in residential systems vapor is liquefied on the indoor coil, collected
in the drain pan and removed through a drain line).
Dry bulb temperature
Heat intensity, measured by a dry bulb thermometer.
Dry bulb thermometer
An instrument that measures air temperature independently of
humidity.
Dual Compressors
An outdoor unit featuring two compressors, one for everyday cooling
and a second larger one for extreme temperature days. Provides superior durability
designed for cost-saving efficiency and low sound levels.
Ductwork
A pipe or conduit through which air is delivered. Ducts are typically made of metal,
fiberboard or a flexible material. In a home comfort system, the size and application
of ductwork is critical to performance and is as important as the equipment.
DX Direct
expansion; a system in which heat is transferred by the direct expansion of refrigerant.
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E
EER Energy
Efficiency Ratio (steady state)
Electronic Air Cleaner (EAC)
Electronically filters out magnetized airborne particles, from
contaminants in indoor air sending them to a collector plate.
Energy Recovery Ventilator
(also FreshEffects™ or TRANE FreshEffects™) Energy
efficient system to exchange stale indoor air for an equal amount of fresher outdoor
air.
ENERGY STAR®
Trane high efficiency systems carry the ENERGY STAR label. The result of Trane's
partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA), ENERGY STAR products are more energy efficient and help reduce our whole
earth's pollution problems. Choosing a Trane ENERGY STAR Comfort System assures
homeowners of lower energy bills and improved indoor air quality for their home.
EPA Environmental
Protection Agency
Expansion Valve A refrigerant-metering valve with a pressure or temperature controlled
orifice.
Evaporator Coil (also Comfort™ Coil
or Indoor Coil) Part of an indoor air unit, it functions
with the air conditioner or heat pump outdoors to cool and condition indoor air
that flows over it by drawing out heat and moisture.
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F
Fahrenheit
The temperature scale on which water freezes at 32 degrees and boils at 212 degrees;
designated by the letter F. To convert Fahrenheit to Celsius, subtract 32 from the
Fahrenheit number, multiply by 5 and divide by 9 (77 -32 equals 45, times 5 equals
225, divided by 9 equals 25 degrees Celsius).
Fan Any device
that creates air currents.
Filter
Any device that removes impurities through a straining process.
Flue Any
vent or passageway that carries the products of combustion from a furnace.
FreshEffects™ (also Energy Recovery
Ventilator or TRANE FreshEffects™) Energy efficient
system to exchange stale indoor air for an equal amount of fresher outdoor air.
Furnace
That part of the heating system in which the combustion of fossil fuel and transfer
of heat occurs.
Fuse A metal
strip in an electrical circuit that melts and breaks the circuit when excessive
current flows through it. The fuse is designed to break in order to save more expensive
electrical components.
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G
GAMA Gas
Appliance Manufacturers Association
Gas Furnace Heat Exchanger
Located in the furnace, the heat exchanger transfers heat to
the surrounding air, which is then pumped throughout your home.
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H
Heat Exchanger An area, box or coil where heat flows from the warmer to the colder
fluid or surface.
Heat Gain
Heat added to the conditioned space by infiltration, solar radiation, occupant respiration
and lighting.
Heating Coil
Any coil that serves as a heat source.
Heat Loss
The rate of heat transfer from a heated space to the outdoors.
Heat Pump
A mechanical-compression cycle refrigeration system that can be reversed to either
heat or cool the controlled space.
Heat Transfer The movement of heat energy from one point to another. The means
for such movement are conduction, convection, and radiation.
HEPA Filter
Filter that traps airborne particles by forcing air through very dense mesh.
Hertz In
alternating current (AC electricity), the number of cycles per second.
Horizontal Flow Often used in attics/crawl spaces, this furnace takes air from
its side, heats it and sends warm air out the other side.
HSPF Heating
Seasonal Performance Factor. This rating is used in measuring the heating efficiency
of a heat pump. The higher the number the more efficient the heat pump system.
Humidifier
A machine that adds water vapor to the air to increase humidity.
Humidistat
A humidity-sensing control that cycles the humidifier on and off.
Humidity
The presence of water vapor in the air.
Humidity, absolute
Weight of water vapor per cubic foot of dry air, expressed as
grains of moisture per cubic foot.
Humidity, relative
The amount of moisture in the air expressed as a percentage of
the maximum amount that the air is capable of holding at a specific temperature.
HVAC Abbreviation
for Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning
Hybrid Heat (also Hybrid System)
Provides energy efficient comfort for moderate heating conditions.
Can use either gas or electricity.
Hybrid System (also Hybrid Heat)
Provides energy efficient comfort for moderate heating conditions.
Can use either gas or electricity.
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L
Latent Heat
A type of heat, which when added to or taken from a substance, does not change the
temperature of the substance. Instead, the heat energy enables the substance to
change its state.
Load Calculation
Assessed by a dealer, the calculation factors in a number of
criteria in your home (square footage, number of windows, year-round weather concerns)
and determines what size components you should include as part of your total comfort
system.
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M
Matched System System comprised of multiple Trane components designed and engineered
to work seamlessly together to enhance overall performance, reliability and efficiency.
Media The
material in a filter that traps and holds the impurities.
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N
NATE North American
Technician Excellence—certification acknowledging a dealer/technician as the one
of the most knowledgeable and experienced at installing and servicing high performance,
precision-engineered heating and cooling systems.
NEC National
Energy Council / National Electric Code
NEMA National
Electrical Manufacturing Association
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O
OEM Original
equipment manufacturer.
Operating Cost Cost of running your home comfort system, based on energy usage.
Orifice
An opening or hole; an inlet or outlet.
Outdoor Coil (also Condenser Coil)
In a heat pump, it takes in heat to warm your home. In
an air conditioner, it dissipates heat from the refrigerant, changing the refrigerant
from vapor to liquid to cool your home.
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R
Reciprocating Compressor
A compressor whose piston or pistons move back and forth in the
cylinders.
Reclaiming
Returning used refrigerant to the manufacturer for disposal/reuse.
Recycling
Removing, cleaning and reusing refrigerant.
Refrigerant
A chemical that produces a refrigerating effect while expanding and vaporizing.
Most residential air conditioning systems contain R-22 refrigerant. R-22 is regulated
under the Montreal Protocol and in the United States by the Environmental Protection
Agency. R-22 is scheduled to be in production until the year 2020. It's used in
approximately 95 percent of air conditioning equipment manufactured in the U.S.
today.
Refrigerant Charge
The required amount of refrigerant in a system.
Refrigerant Lines
Two copper lines connecting the outdoor condenser to the indoor
evaporator coil.
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S
SEER Seasonal
Energy Efficiency Ratio; a measure of cooling efficiency for air conditioners and
heat pumps. The higher the SEER, the more energy efficient the unit.
SEET Seasonal
Extreme Environmental Test—Trane facility that simulates series of rigorous tests
to ensure the quality/reliability of outdoor units
Self-contained System
A refrigerating system that can be moved without disconnecting
any refrigerant lines; also know as a package unit.
Sensible Heat That heat which, when added to or taken away from a substance,
causes a rise or fall in temperature.
Sensor
Any device that reacts to a change in the conditions being measured, permitting
the condition to be controlled.
Setpoint
The temperature or pressure at which a controller is set with the expectation that
this will be a nominal value depending on the range of the controller.
Spine-Fin™ coil All-aluminum outdoor coil that features the patented Spine Fin™
design. It provides greater heat exchanging capabilities (meaning higher efficiencies)
and is more resistant to corrosion than a traditional copper/aluminum coil.
Split System (also Indoor/Outdoor System)
The combination of an outdoor unit (air conditioner or
heat pump) with an indoor unit (furnace or air handler). Split systems must be matched
for optimum efficiency.
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T
Thermostatic Expansion
Valve A refrigerant metering device that maintains
a constant evaporator temperature by monitoring suction vapor superheat; also called
a thermal expansion valve.
Thermostat
A thermostat consists of a series of sensors and relays that monitor and control
the functions of a heating and cooling system.
Ton A unit
of measurement used for determining cooling capacity. One ton is the equivalent
of 12,000 BTUs per hour.
TRANE CleanEffects™ (also CleanEffects™)
Trane Air filtration system that removes 99.98% of airborne
allergens down to .1 microns from the filtered air, making it 100 times more effective
that a standard 1” filter
TRANE FreshEffects™ (also Energy
Recovery Ventilator or FreshEffects™) Energy efficient
system to exchange stale indoor air for an equal amount of fresher outdoor air.
Two-stage compressor
Compressor composed of a high and low stage to increase efficiency
and comfort while reducing operation noise.
Two-stage heating / Two-stage cooling
Two-stage heating and cooling is considered to be more efficient,
because it operates at low speed most of the time. However, on days when more heating
or air conditioning is required, it switches to the next stage for maximum comfort.
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U
U-Factor
The factor representing resistance to heat flow of various building materials.
UL Underwriters
Laboratories
Upflow Furnace A furnace in which air is drawn in through the sides or bottom
and discharged out the top.
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V
Vacuum
A pressure below atmospheric pressure. A perfect vacuum is 30 inches Mercury (periodic
symbol "Hg").
Variable-speed motor(s)
The fan motor inside Trane's variable-speed air handlers is designed
to vary its speed based on your home's heating and air conditioning requirements.
Working in conjunction with your thermostat, it keeps the appropriate-temperature
air (e.g. warm air on cold days) circulating throughout your home, reducing temperature
variances in your home. It also provides greater air circulation and filtration,
better temperature distribution, humidity control, higher efficiency, and quiet
performance.
Volt The
unit of measure used to describe a difference in electrical potential; abbreviated
by the symbol "v".
Voltage
The force that pushes electrical current along wires and cables.
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W
Watt The
unit of electrical power equal to the flow of one amp at a potential difference
of one volt.
Wet Bulb Thermometer
A thermometer whose bulb is covered with a piece of water-soaked
cloth. The lowering of temperature that results from the evaporation of water around
the bulb indicates the air's relative humidity.
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Z
Zoning
A method of dividing a home into different comfort zones so each zone can be independently
controlled depending on use and need; an air conditioning system capable of maintaining
varying conditions for various rooms or zones.
Zoning System A method of dividing a home into different comfort zones so each
zone can be independently controlled depending on use and need; an air conditioning
system capable of maintaining varying conditions for various rooms or zones.
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