Here is a quick overview of terms used in this guide and that you’ll need to know as you gather information about your home heating and cooling options.
A heating-cooling unit that transfers heat in either direction between the air outside a home and the indoors.
The air that a furnace, boiler or space heater requires to burn fuel.
A thermostat that controls the water temperature in a boiler.
The heating unit used with a hot water (hydronic) distribution system.
A unit that cools an entire house by removing heat from the inside air and releasing it outside.
Devices such as a thermostat that regulate a heating or cooling system.
Some roofing and siding shingles are made of asbestos cement.
Houses built between 1930 and 1950 may have asbestos as insulation.
Asbestos may be present in textured paint and in patching compounds used on wall and ceiling joints. Their use was banned in 1977.
Artificial ashes and embers sold for use in gas-fired fireplaces may contain asbestos.
Older products such as stove-top pads may have some asbestos compounds.
Walls and floors around woodburning stoves may be protected with asbestos paper, millboard, or cement sheets.
Asbestos is found in some vinyl floor tiles and the backing on vinyl sheet flooring and adhesives.
Hot water and steam pipes in older houses may be coated with an asbestos material or covered with an asbestos blanket or tape.
Oil and coal furnaces and door gaskets may have asbestos insulation.
What Should be Done about Asbestos in the Home?
If you think asbestos may be in your home, don’t panic, usually the best thing is to leave asbestos material that is in good condition alone. Generally, material in good condition will not release asbestos fibers. There is no danger unless fibers are released and inhaled into the lungs. Check material regularly if you suspect it may contain asbestos. Don’t touch it, but look for signs of wear or damage such as tears, abrasions, or water damage. Damaged material may release asbestos fibers. This is particularly true if you often disturb it by hitting, rubbing, or handling it, or if it is exposed to extreme vibration or air flow. Sometimes, the best way to deal with slightly damaged material is to limit access to the area and not touch or disturb it. Discard damaged or worn asbestos gloves, stove-top pads, or ironing board covers. Check with local health, environmental, or other appropriate officials to find out proper handling and disposal procedures. If asbestos material is more than slightly damaged, or if you are going to make changes in your home that might disturb it, repair or removal by a professional is needed. Before you have your house remodeled, find out whether asbestos materials are present.
One that produces good value for money after all costs (purchase, installation, financing and energy charges) are considered.
The components of a heating or cooling system that deliver warmed or cooled air, or warmed water, to the living space.
Hot water used for household purposes.
(ground source heat pump)
A heat pump that transfers heat from the earth or ground water in cold weather and transfers it to the house through an underground piping system for space heating, cooling or water heating. The process reverses in warm weather, and heat is discharged to the ground or water.
A higher-efficiency burner in an oil furnace. It produces a hotter flame and operates with a lower air flow, thus reducing heat loss up the chimney.
The fluids commonly used in refrigerating and air conditioning equipment to create the cooling effect. These fluids can damage the environment.
A distribution system in which a fan circulates air from the heating or cooling unit to the rooms through a network of ducts.
A naturally occurring carbon or hydrocarbon fuel such as natural gas, propane and oil, formed by the decomposition of prehistoric organisms.
A heating unit that uses a forced air distribution system.
Another term for an Earth Energy System.
A structure that transfers heat from one gas or liquid to another gas or liquid. For example, the hot combustion gases in a furnace to the circulating household air or, in a boiler, to the circulating hot water.
A device used in central ventilation systems to reduce the amount of heat that is lost as household air is replaced with outside air. As fresh air enters the house, it passes through a heat exchanger heated by the warm outgoing air stream and is preheated.
HIGH-EFFICIENCY (condensing) FURNACE OR BOILER
A heating unit with an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) of 90% or more. It has a second stainless steel heat exchanger that removes additional heat from exhaust gases. Water vapor condenses as the exhaust cools. The unit vents through a narrow plastic wall pipe instead of a chimney.
A distribution system in which hot water is circulated through a network of pipes to radiators, wall panels or an under-floor heating system.
The total of the purchase price and the installation costs of equipment.
A device that heats water as required but does not store it. The unit is usually located near the point of use.
INTEGRATED (combo) HOT WATER SYSTEM
A system that provides both space and water heating from a single heat source.
A unit of electrical power used to measure the heating capacity of electric equipment. One kilowatt (kW) equals 1,000 watts (W).
A gas heating unit with an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) of 78 to 82%. Some models exhaust through the basement wall.
Efficiencies (AFUE) range from 78 to 86%. Has flue gases that may be exhausted through a chimney or a side wall vent.
A performance standard for new homes under a voluntary government/industry program. Builders meet the standard by offering an integrated package of features designed to meet the R-2000 requirements. The package includes high insulation levels, air-tightness, heat recovery ventilation and efficient heating/cooling systems.
Replacement of one or more components of an existing system.
A performance rating that considers the heat (or ‘cool’) actually delivered to the living space, the total energy available in the fuel consumed, and the impact the equipment itself has on the total heating or cooling load through an entire heating or cooling season. HSPF, AFUE, SEER and EF are seasonal efficiency ratings.
Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio
SETBACK THERMOSTAT
A programmable thermostat with a built-in timer. You can adjust it to vary household temperature automatically.
A heating unit that supplies heat directly to the room where it is located and is not connected to a distribution system.
STORAGE-TYPE WATER HEATER
A tank that heats and stores hot water.
TON
A measure of the cooling capacity for central air conditioners and heat pumps.
Certified Residential and Commercial Inspectors in South Eastern Tennessee & Northern Georgia.