The Rosetta Stone: HVAC Edition - 11 HVAC Terms Every Homeowner Should Know

Owning your own home is an incredible feat, and an equally impressive undertaking. We live in an age where there is almost always a service professional, or even an app, to meet your household needs. However, interacting with a service professional can often feel like trying to break down a language barrier, and HVAC is not immune to this technical jargon.

Here are 11 terms to have in your arsenal when your HVAC technician is throwing out acronyms more foreign than your kids' texting lingo:

1) AFUE: (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) This is a rating of how efficiently a gas furnace converts fuel to energy. For example, a rating of 90 indicates that 90% of the fuel is utilized to provide heat, while 10% is emitted as exhaust.

2) Air Handler: The indoor component of your split AC system or heat pump that includes the blower motor, blower, and controls. It moves air throughout your home. 

3) BTU: (British Thermal Unit) This is a measure of the heat given off when fuel is burned for heating, or the measure of heat extracted from your home for cooling. 

• For all you science fiends out there, BTU represents the amount of energy required to raise one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit. 

4) Charge: The amount of refrigerant in your AC system 

5) COP: (Coefficient of Performance) For a heat pump, this is determined by the ratio of heating or cooling provided to electrical energy consumed. 

6) Compressor: The part of the outdoor AC unit that maintains adequate pressure to allow refrigerant to flow in quantities that meet the cooling requirements of your home. The compressor sends refrigerant through condenser coils, which changes refrigerant from vapor to liquid, dispersing heat into the outdoor air. 

7) Heat Loss & Heat Gain: Heat loss refers to the estimate of heat lost to the outdoors through the structure of your home. Conversely, heat gain refers to the heat that comes into your home or is generated within the structure from occupants or solar gain. These estimates (determined in BTUs) factor into a load calculation, which our Comfort Consultants use to determine the capacity of heating or air conditioning equipment your home requires. 

8) MERV: This rating measures the efficiency of your air filter, as determined by the size of particle it can capture. The higher the MERV rating of your air filter, the finer it is. 

9) Refrigerant: This substance flows through your AC unit and helps with heat transfer. The transformation of refrigerant from liquid to vapor, or from vapor to liquid, respectively absorbs or gives off heat. 

10) Register: Metal covering on supply vents in your home

11) SEER: (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) This measures the cooling efficiency of a heat pump or air conditioner. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the unit. These ratings usually range from 13 to 20 SEER, although ratings of 21 or 22 are not uncommon. 

Don't worry, there won't be a test! Having a basic knowledge of these terms will help you play a more engaged role in the HVAC service or installation process. 

For all of your heating & cooling needs, gives Brandywine Valley a call at 610-692-3900. 

Angie's List Review from J.C of West Chester

Here at Brandywine Valley, we strive to provide our customers comfort with care. However, that phrase represents more to us than just a slogan. It's always wonderful to hear that we are reaching our goal, and even surpassing our customers' expectations!

See J.C of West Chester's review on Angie's List below: 

"These folks are amazing. VERY professional. Very responsive to our input. Answered every question we had with very detailed and thorough responses. They were on time, neat & clean, and the job was finished exactly per the agreement. I have used them before because of the very professional look of their workmanship and this project was no exception. I would highly recommend them for any Heating and Cooing job you need done. No job too big or too small for them. Two employees of specific note were the technicians who spent a week at our house - Sean F and Bill H. Have never met two more informative and polite service providers..."

We truly appreciate the feedback. Leave us a review today! Brandywine Valley on Angie's List

The 411 on IAQ (Indoor Air Quality)

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that we spend 90% of our time indoors. While relaxing in the cool, air conditioned air in the summer months might be a nice break from the heat and humidity outdoors, the EPA further estimates that the air inside your home may be two to five times more polluted than the air outside.

When it comes to indoor air quality (IAQ), the key lies in keeping harmful pollutants away from your family and ensuring that your home has adequate ventilation. 

First, know the three main contamination culprits: 

1) Radon: Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that usually permeates your home through leaks in the basement. A silent danger, this gas is tasteless, odorless, and colorless. It is believed to be the second leading cause of lung cancer, after cigarette smoke.

2) Secondhand smoke: The harmful effects of cigarette smoke are not restricted to those who make the decision to light up. Not only is cigarette smoke an asthma trigger, but it can also lead to respiratory infections including pneumonia and bronchitis. The EPA estimates that secondhand smoke is responsible for 3,000 lung cancer deaths each year. Consider quitting today!

3) Carbon monoxide: Carbon monoxide is another tasteless, odorless, colorless danger that results from the incomplete burning of fuels such as propane, gas, oil, or wood. Poisoning from carbon monoxide takes about 400 lives each year.

Take action: 

• Test your home for radon. This can either be done by a professional, or you can purchase a testing kit at your local hardware store. 
• Do not idle your car in the garage. This can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide and other indoor air pollutants. 
• Install a Carbon Monoxide Detector: 
• When purchasing a CO detector, first check your town or county regulations to insure that you are purchasing a detector that is compliant with these guidelines.
• An essential quality in a CO detector is an electrochemical sensor that prevents reaction to humidity or temperature changes. This sensor can also prevent a response to common household chemicals.
• Another important feature is the end-of-life warning. A CO detector should be replaced every 7 years, so it is crucial to know when your detector is reaching the end of its lifespan. 
• CO detectors should be installed on each floor and in bedrooms. They should be placed a minimum of 15 feet away from cooking and heating appliances and should not be placed in breezy areas to avoid false readings. It is also best to keep detectors out of direct sunlight.
• Regularly maintenance and clean your air conditioner and dehumidifier 
• Change your air filters on a regular basis - Energy Star recommends that this be done at least once every 3 months. 
• Adjust the humidity in your home. In the wintertime, keep indoor humidity between 30 and 50 percent to decrease the likelihood of mold formation. In the summer months, the level should be around 60 percent humidity. 

A picture is worth a thousand words. Check out this infographic from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers for more ways to ensure good Indoor Air Quality. 

Programmable Thermostat on the Fritz?

In the age of technology, the latest innovations can make everyday life simpler and more comfortable - the programmable thermostat is no exception. With a programmable thermostat, you can adjust the temperature in your home to meet even your most nuanced needs. Better yet, using a programmable thermostat can save up to $180 a year on your home energy bill. But as all lovers of technology know, sometimes our gadgets fail us - and then what do you do?

So, your thermostat appears to be on the fritz... there are a few simple things you can check before calling your local service technician: 

• Check the batteries: Now, if your thermostat is hardwired to your HVAC unit, dead batteries are not the root of your problem. However, if your thermostat is battery powered, changing the batteries may solve the issue. 
• Check the wire connections: Verify that your thermostat is mounted properly. Even if the thermostat was installed correctly, wire connections may come apart as time goes by. After turning off the thermostat and its power supply, remove the cover of the thermostat and fix any loose wires. 
• Check the circuit breaker: Check your circuit breaker to insure that the issue isn't ultimately due to a tripped breaker. Note: If a breaker is tripped, it's usually for a reason. This could be due to a lightning strike in a bad thunderstorm, but if the problem persists, contact a service technician. 
• Check your settings: We've certainly reached a zenith of technology, where thermostats like the Honeywell Lyric can be adjusted to meet your every mood and keep up with your fluctuating schedule. That doesn't mean these settings are infallible. Verify that your thermostat is on the correct setting (AM or PM if you're using a 12 hour schedule, occupied as opposed to unoccupied, etc.) 
• Check your air filter: A blocked air filter may actually be the culprit, and this could lead to a more serious air conditioning issue. Some air filters require monthly replacement, while some more efficient filters have a longer lifespan. This is a simple step to take that may ameliorate the larger AC issue at hand. 
• Get to the heart of the issue: Switch your fan from "auto" to "on." If the fan comes on, you at least have power to your indoor unit. However, your outdoor unit could still be the underlying problem. If the fan is running in your outdoor unit, this indicates that the outdoor unit has power as well. This information will be helpful when contacting your service provider. 

If the problem persists after taking the above steps, contact a Brandywine Valley service technician to diagnose the problem. 

The Newest Member of the Brandywine Valley Family!

Congratulations to our Sales Coordinator, Megan, on the birth of her healthy baby boy! We are excited to welcome the newest member of the Brandywine Valley family!

When there's a storm a-brewin'

With the arrival of the summer season comes the possibility of severe thunderstorms, and last night was no exception. A thunderstorm brings heavy rain, high winds, and lightning strikes, all of which can cause damage to your HVAC system. Do you know how to prepare your home for potential storm damage?

When a severe thunderstorm is announced in your area, there are several preliminary steps you can take to prepare your unit. First, bring in any objects that could strike the outdoor unit, such as patio furniture. Next, turn off your AC unit from the thermostat in order to prevent damage from a power surge or an excessive current flowing into the system in the event of a lightning strike.

Assess whether your family could benefit from a portable or standby generator during power outages. A back-up generator should be used to run necessary electrical appliances and will require extension cords to run into your home. Be sure to place the generator at a reasonable distance from your home, as they emit carbon monoxide, which is dangerous to your family's health.

(Photo via Radnor Township)

In the even of a power outage, do not turn your AC unit back on until power is restored to your area. It is important to check your circuit breaker to ensure that there are no tripped breakers or blown fuses. After the storm has passed and it is safe to venture outdoors, take the time to carefully inspect your unit. Be sure to clear your unit of leaves and other debris and check for serious damage. In the event of serious damage, contact your local HVAC contractor.

As the age-old tale goes, it is wise to have regular maintenance performed on your AC unit. HVAC appliances should undergo yearly maintenance to ensure that they are equipped to handle the demands of severe weather.

Brandywine Valley Going Above and Beyond

Mark,

I am sending this note to tell you that last night I again had a really wonderful service experience with your Brandywine Valley team.  I came home after 7 PM to find my air conditioning not working.  Since I had a maintenance visit set for July 16, I sent Justin Boomer an email asking if he might move that up much earlier in view of my problem.  Given the hour, I never for a moment expected a response from Justin that same evening.  But to my very happy surprise, Justin called me around 8 pm to let me know that he had seen my email and had responded by email.  In other words, he was so service oriented that he not only answered me by email late in the evening, he also called to make doubly sure I knew that you folks would help me.  That is extraordinary.

As things developed, by the time Justin called, my wife had suggested I call your office to see if there was anybody on-call.  I had reached a very efficient woman taking your office calls who said she would forward my information to your on-call technician, John, who would call me back.  As luck would have it, John called while I was talking to Justin.  Justin and John then coordinated and John was good enough to come to my home at almost 9:30 pm.  In the meantime, Justin keep tabs on things by email, promising help as soon as he could arrange it if John could not fix things. 

Despite the late hour and all the work which John had faced that busy evening, John was pleasant, upbeat, and thorough.  He assessed our situation and was able to get us up and going again.  While John was efficient with his time, he never acted the least bit rushed or put-out that he was working so late.  To the contrary, he made us feel that he really cared about our problem and would do his best to help. 

This is not the first time I have written to you to say how pleased we have been with your team.  Maybe you could do without my reports.  But I feel compelled to recognize great service when I get it.  Way back when I first met you and you were helping us select our system, you told me that you folks strive to be service oriented and to do right by your customers.  Thankfully, my system has generally worked well and I have not had to lean on Brandywine for help that often.  But any time I have needed assistance, your team has much more than lived up to your word.  They are always great.  Last night, Justin and John were particularly great and I so appreciate that.  It's not so much that my problem got fixed quickly (although that was really wonderful), it's that those guys showed they cared and gave it their all.  Thank you.

I have copied Justin on this so that he knows of our appreciation. Perhaps someone can let John know as well.


- J.M from Media