AC (Air Conditioner) — The system that cools your home by removing heat and humidity from the indoor air and sending it outside.

AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) — A rating that shows how efficiently a furnace turns fuel into heat. The higher the percentage, the less energy is wasted.

Air Handler — The indoor part of your system that moves conditioned air through your home’s ductwork. Often paired with a heat pump.

Ambient Temperature — The current temperature of the air in a room or outside.

BTU (British Thermal Unit) — A measure of heating or cooling power. The more BTUs, the more heating or cooling a system can produce.

Capacitor — A small electrical part that helps start and run your system’s motors. A failed capacitor is one of the most common AC repair issues.

Compressor — The heart of an AC or heat pump. It pumps refrigerant through the system to move heat. A failed compressor is one of the most expensive repairs.

Condenser — The outdoor unit of your AC or heat pump. It releases the heat pulled from inside your home.

Condensate Line — The drain that carries away moisture your system removes from the air. A clogged one can cause leaks and water damage.

Ductwork — The network of channels that carries heated or cooled air throughout your home. Leaky or dirty ducts hurt comfort and efficiency.

Evaporator Coil — The indoor coil that absorbs heat from your home’s air, allowing the system to cool it. Usually located near the furnace or air handler.

Filter — Removes dust and debris from the air before it moves through your system. Should be changed regularly to keep things running well.

Furnace — A heating system that warms air and distributes it through your ductwork, typically powered by gas or electricity.

Heat Exchanger — The part of a furnace that transfers heat to the air while keeping combustion gases safely separate. A cracked one is a safety concern.

Heat Pump — A system that both heats and cools by moving heat in or out of your home. Efficient and popular in the Carolina climate.

HVAC — Short for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning — the systems that control the temperature and air quality in your home.

Load Calculation — The process of measuring how much heating or cooling a home actually needs. Proper sizing depends on it.

MERV Rating (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) — A scale that shows how well an air filter captures particles. Higher numbers filter finer particles.

Refrigerant — The chemical that cycles through your AC or heat pump to move heat. Low refrigerant, often from a leak, is a common cause of poor cooling.

Return Air — The air pulled back into your system to be reheated or recooled. Return vents are usually the larger vents in your home.

SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) — A rating of how efficiently an AC or heat pump cools over a season. Higher SEER means lower energy bills.

Short Cycling — When a system turns on and off too frequently. It wastes energy and wears out parts faster, and usually signals a problem.

Split System — The most common home setup, with one unit outside (condenser) and one inside (furnace or air handler).

Thermostat — The control that lets you set and manage your home’s temperature. Smart and programmable versions can lower energy use.

Ton / Tonnage — A measure of an AC or heat pump’s cooling capacity. One ton equals 12,000 BTUs. Home systems are usually 1.5 to 5 tons.

Ventilation — The exchange of indoor and outdoor air to keep air fresh and control moisture, odors, and pollutants.

Zoning — A setup that lets you control temperatures separately in different areas of your home, using multiple thermostats and dampers.