GLOSSARY
Air Handler
An air handler is a device used to circulate cool or warm air throughout your home.
An air source heat pump transfers heat (from outside or inside your home) rather than converting it from a fuel like a combustion heating system, like a furnace or boiler. BTU is a measure of heat. It’s the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. This is the ratio of cooling or heating output to energy consumed at a specific temperature. This ratio converts both output and consumption to a common unit, making this different than HSPF or SEER which use a ratio of BTUs to watt-hours. The higher the COP, the better. The higher the rating, the more efficient the unit. A cold climate heat pump uses an inverter, or variable speed drive that has been tweaked to ensure greater ability to heat at lower outdoor temperatures. It also makes it capable of efficiently heating homes in colder climates with temperatures getting down to approximately -15°F. These heat pump systems are also known as “short-run ducted” or “ceiling-concealed ducts” and are paired with a mini-split outdoor unit. The key distinction of a compact-ducted system is that the ductwork is not typically serving the entire home with a conventional air handler in the basement but instead typically serves a few rooms. The outdoor air temperature at which operation of the heat pump’s backup heating system would cost the same to run. The economic balance point is sensitive to electricity and backup fuel prices and the ability of the heat pump to maintain high efficiency at lower temperatures. Electric resistance heating works by running electric current through metal wires, often coiled up, which convert the electric power directly to heat. This is the same heating technology used in space heaters, toasters, and electric baseboards or ‘strip heating.’ This is an energy performance rating for primarily cooling equipment. EER rating provides you with a ratio of useful cooling output (in BTU/h) to electricity input (measured in Watts). A higher EER rating means an air conditioner will provide more cooling for every Watt of energy provided. Also referred to as an air exchanger or an ERV ventilation system. It’s designed to be connected to the HVAC system in your home. It pulls fresh air into the home and takes out the stale air. A program run jointly by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to promote energy efficiency. The ENERGY STAR logo is a symbol of certification for buildings and consumer products, such as appliances and heating systems, meeting certain standards of energy efficiency. Heat pumps don’t generate heat like conventional heating systems, they instead transfer heat from one place to another. Where it’s transferring the heat from, either the air, ground, or water, is called the exchange medium.
Air Source Heat Pump
British Thermal Unit (BTU)
Coefficient of Performance (COP)
Cold Climate (cc) Heat Pump
Compact-Ducted System
Economic Balance Point
Electric Resistance
Energy Efficiency Rating (EER)
Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV)
ENERGY STAR®
Exchange Medium
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ELECTRIC HEAT PUMP CUSTOMER BUYING AND OPERATION GUIDE FOR SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES
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