Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, a rating that reflects the efficiency of a gas furnace in converting fuel to energy. A rating of 90 means that approximately 90 percent of the fuel is utilized to provide warmth to your home, while the remaining 10 percent escapes as exhaust.
AllegianceAvailable only from American Standard.
BTUBritish Thermal Unit. In scientific terms, it represents the amount of energy required to raise one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit. One BTU is the equivalent of the heat given off by a single wooden kitchen match. 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.
CFMCubic feet per minute, a standard of airflow measurement. A typical system produces 400 CFM per ton of air conditioning.
CapacityThe output or producing capability of a piece of cooling or heating equipment. Cooling and heating capacity are normally referred to in BTUs.
CompressorThe heart of an air conditioning or heat pump system. It is part of the outdoor unit that pumps refrigerant. The compressor maintains adequate pressure to cause refrigerant to flow in sufficient quantities in order to meet the cooling requirements of the system.
Condenser Coil or Outdoor CoilLocated in the outdoor unit, the coil dissipates heat from the refrigerant, changing the refrigerant from vapor to liquid. In American Standard units, the coil is called Spine Fin.
DamperFound in ductwork, this movable plate opens and closes to control airflow. Dampers are used effectively in zoning to regulate airflow to certain rooms.
DurationAmerican Standard’s tough, time-tested compressor.
Downflow FurnaceA furnace that pulls in return air from the top and expels warm air at the bottom.
DuctworkPipes or channels that carry air throughout your home.
Evaporator CoilThe coil that is inside your house in a split system. In the evaporator, refrigerant evaporates and absorbs heat from air passed over the coil.
FreedomAvailable only from American Standard.
Heat ExchangerA device for the transfer of heat energy from the source to the conveying medium.
HeritageAvailable only from American Standard.
Horizontal FurnaceA furnace that lies on its side, pulling in return air from one side and expelling warm air from the other.
HumidifierA device that injects water vapor into heated air as the air is expelled from the furnace.
HumidityThe amount of moisture in the air. Air conditioners remove moisture for added comfort.
HSPFHeating Seasonal Performance Factor. Refers to the efficiency of the heating mode of heat pumps over an entire heating season. The higher the number, the more efficient the unit.
HVACHeating, ventilation and air conditioning.
ICMIntegrally Controlled Motor. A specially engineered, variable-speed motor used in American Standard’s top-of-the-line indoor units. ICM motors are more than 90 percent efficient versus 60 percent efficiency for conventional motors. Continuous comfort, quiet operation and ultimate system efficiency are the benefits of the indoor products graced with the ICM motor.
Packaged SystemA piece of air conditioning and heating equipment in which all components are located in one cabinet. Used occasionally in residential applications, the packaged unit is installed either beside or on top of the home.
RefrigerantA substance that produces a refrigerating effect while expanding or vaporizing.
Refrigerant LinesSet of two copper lines connecting the outdoor unit and the indoor unit.
SEERSeasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, a rating that measures the cooling efficiency of a heat pump or air conditioner. The higher the number, the more efficient the unit.
SEETSeasonal Extreme Environmental Test. It’s the American Standard torture chamber for heating and air conditioning systems, where five years of service ware is tested.