Glossary

"Split System" Air Conditioners

A traditional home comfort system has two parts: an indoor unit, such as a furnace or air handler, and an outdoor unit. An air conditioner is the outdoor unit that cools air and sends it to the indoor unit for circulation through your home. Indoor and outdoor units are designed to work together. When the air conditioner is properly matched with a furnace or air handler, you get maximum efficiency and longer system life. Air conditioning and cooling efficiency is measured using a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). A higher SEER means higher energy efficiency. A "split system" central air conditioner includes a compressor, fan, condenser coil, evaporator coil and refrigerant. The system removes heat from indoor air and transfers it outside, leaving the cooled indoor air to be recirculated. A central air conditioning system uses electricity as its power source.

The basic components of an air conditioning system are:

• A Condensing Unit (the outdoor section)
• A matching indoor air handler or furnace with coil
• Ductwork to transfer the cooled air throughout the home

AFUE% - Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. A measure of a furnace's heating efficiency. The higher the AFUE%, the more efficient the product. The government's established minimum AFUE rating for furnaces is 78%.

Air Handler - The portion of the central air conditioning or heat pump system that moves heated or cooled air throughout a home's ductwork. In some systems a furnace handles this function.

Balance Point - An outdoor temperature, usually between 30° F and 45° F, at which a heat pump's output exactly equals the heating needs of the home. Below the balance point, supplementary electric resistance heat is needed to maintain indoor comfort.

Btu - British thermal unit. The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water (about one pint) by one degree F.

Degree Day - Degree Day is a measure of heating in relation to daily temperatures and oil usage.

Evaporator Coil - The portion of a heat pump or central air conditioning system that is located in the home and functions as the heat transfer point for warming or cooling indoor air.

Heat Pump - An air conditioner that contains a valve that allows it to alternate between heating and cooling.

Heat Source - A body of air or liquid from which heat is collected. With York heat pumps, the air outside the home is used as the heat source during the heating cycle.

HSPF - Heating Seasonal Performance Factor. A measure of a heat pump's heating efficiency. The higher the HSPF, the more efficient the product. There is no government established minimum HSPF rating for heat pumps.

K-Factor - Amount of heat that passes through a unit cube of material.

Outdoor Coil/Condensing Unit - The portion of a heat pump or central air conditioning system that is located outside the home and functions as a heat transfer point for collecting heat from and dispelling heat to the outside air.

SEER - Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. A measure of an air conditioner's cooling efficiency. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the product. The government's established minimum SEER rating for air conditioners manufactured after January 2006 is 13.

Single Package - A year-round heating and air conditioning system that has all of the components completely encased in one unit outside the home.

Split System - A heat pump or central air conditioning system with components located both inside and outside the home. The most common design for home use.

Supplementary Heat - The auxiliary or emergency heat, usually electrical resistance heat, provided at temperatures below a heat pump's balance point.