Hot Air Cool Facts
This is what HVAC stands for.
What is Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning?
The tool used to measure air pressure in ducts.
Manometer.
What does "BTU" stand for , and what does it measure?
British Thermal Unit - it measures heat energy.
1 BTU = energy to raise 1lb. of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit.
What color wire typically powers the cooling system?
Yellow (usually the "Y" terminal).
What direction should the arrow on a filter point?
Toward the blower or furnace. (Airflow Direction.)
What gas do most Air Conditioners use as refrigerant?
R-410A or R-32 (Depending on system age - RIP R-22)
This wrench has adjustable jaws and helps with pipe fittings.
Crescent Wrench.
What does "CFM" stand for, and what does it represent?
Cubic Feet per Minute - the volume of air moving through the system.
What does a yellow flame indicate on a gas furnace?
In complete combustion - possibly a dirty burner or gas issue.
What's a common sign of poor airflow?
Uneven temperatures, noisy ducts, or weak vents.
What does SEER stand for?
Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. Higher SEER=Higher Efficiency.
This device is used to check refrigerant charge.
Manifold Gauge Set.
What's a "T-Stat"?
A control device that senses room temperature and signals the HVAC system to heat or cool.
What's the first step before repairing any electrical system?
Turn the power off! (Electricity: The Silent Prankster.)
What component pushes air through the system?
The blower motor or fan.
What's the purpose of a compressor?
To pump refrigerant gas and move it through the system. It's basically the heart of the AC.
What tool measure amperage and voltage in a circuit?
Multimeter or Clamp Meter.
What doe "latent heat" refer to in HVAC terms?
The heat involved in changing moisture from vapor to liquid (or vice versa). The hidden energy of humidity.
What does a tripped breaker usually tell you?
There's too much current or a short circuit. Something is unhappy!
What happens if ducts leak into the attic?
You're cooling or heating the attic instead of your house. (Squirrels love it!)
What's the ideal indoor humidity range for comfort?
30%-50%. (Any higher and you are growing houseplants you didn't plant.)
The tool that cuts through copper tubing with precision.
Tubing Cutters a.k.a Copper Cutters.
What is "subcooling"?
Subcooling = how much liquid refrigerant is cooled below its condensation point.
What safety device shuts a furnace down if it overheats.
High limit switch or Thermal overload.
What term describes air that escapes a system before reaching the vents?
Air leakage or Duct loss.