BTU- British Thermal Unit. This is the amount of heat it takes to raise one pound of water one degree
Fahrenheit. For your home, it represents the measure of heat given off when fuel is burned for heating or the measure of heat
extracted from your home for cooling.
CFM-
Cubic Feet Per Minute. A standard measurement of airflow. A typical system requires 400 CFM per ton of air conditioning.
Capacity- The output or producing
ability of a piece of cooling or heating equipment. Cooling and heating capacities are referred to on BTUs.
Comfort-RTM Airflow System- An exclusive feature
of a high efficiency home comfort system from Trane. This method of ramping airflow gives you greater humidity control in
cooling and provides warmer air during heating start up.
Compressor- 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.
Condensor 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, it absorbs heat from the outdoors.
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.
Ductwork-
Pipes or channels that carry air throughout your home. In a home comfort system, ductwork is critical to performance
in fact, it's as critical as the equipment.
Evaporator
Coil or Indoor Coil- The other half of your air conditioning system located inside your home in the indoor unit.
This is where the refrigerant evaporates as it absorbs heat from the air that passes over the coil.
Package Unit- A heating and cooling system contained
in one outdoor unit. A package unit is typically installed either beside, on top of the home, or sometimes in the attic.
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 by international controls under the Montreal Protocol and in the United States by the Environmental Protection
Agency. It 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.
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. The government's minimum SEER rating is 10. (It's similar to comparing miles per
gallon in automobiles.)
SEET-
Seasonal Extreme Environmental Test Lab. This is Trane's torture chamber for heating and air conditioning systems, where
five years of service are condensed into 16 torturous weeks. If a product doesn't make it through our SEET lab, it's
not manufactured. We push our equipment to extremes because we'd rather test them in our lab than in your home.
Split 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.
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.
Zoning- A method of dividing a home into different comfort zones so each zone can be independently
controlled depending on use and need.
Ten Time-Proven Tips For Selecting A Dealer
1. Check credentials. Before making your selection, call the Better Business Bureau to make sure the dealer is reputable.
Also, find out if the dealer is a member of a local or national association such as the Air Conditioning Contractors Association
of America.
2. Make sure the dealer is affiliated
with a nationally known manufacturer. Dealers should be taking advantage of factory training offered by their manufacturer.
As a result, when they make recommendations, you can be more assured that they've selected the right size system for your
home, and that they've been trained in installation and service.
3. Ask for references. Former customers are an excellent source of information. Also, ask to see installation photos.
A dealer that is proud of their work will be more than happy to show it to you.
4. Expect an on-site evaluation of your home. A good dealer will take a thorough look at your home, ask questions
and evaluate your overall comfort needs before making a recommendation. Beware of a dealer that simply takes information over
the phone. A good dealer will also look the part. While he's evaluating your home, you should be evaluating him. Not only
should he dress professionally, but his truck and printed materials should look professional as well.
5. Check local licenses. Depending on where you live, dealers may have
to comply with certain local or state regulations, so ask to see proof of these licenses as well as insurance forms for liability
and workmen's compensation.
6. Don't
be afraid to ask questions. Ask for details about the firm's experience and the expertise of its staff. This is particularly
important if you're also adding or changing ductwork in this case, experience is definitely a factor in getting
the job done correctly.
7. Get a written proposal.
To make a fair comparison, make sure the proposals you receive are all based on the same efficiency and equipment. You'll
also want to evaluate each dealer's personal business standards and policies. For example, will he remove old equipment?
Will he relocate equipment if you want your new system installed in a different location? What are his clean up and care policies
during installation? How will he handle emergency repair? These are just a few of the additional elements a good proposal
will include.
8. Inquire about equipment and labor
warranties. Limited warranties vary according to the manufacturer, so make sure you fully understand what you're getting.
Also, don't forget to inquire about manufacturer's extended warranties at the time of purchase and other warranties
provided by the dealer.
9. Ask about preventive
maintenance service contracts. Many dealers offer service contracts that call for periodic maintenance of equipment, and if
needed repairs. The fee for such contracts is usually well worth it in terms of obtaining optimum efficiency and performance
for your system.
