Chances are when you purchased your very first car you did not have a clear understanding of all the vehicle’s components or could come close to being able to discuss the workings of an internal combustion engine. Today, you now have a basic, working knowledge of your mode of transport. You’ve spoken to mechanics, listened to dealer service advisers, friends and family and have just enough knowledge to make you appear to be a reasonably informed individual – if or when the conversation turns to cars.
Terminology like MPG, 10w30 perhaps even compression ratios now mean something. But it did not happen overnight.
You could do far worse than to pick up on some of the phrases and acronyms used by your friendly neighbourhood HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) service technician.
For example: BTU – which stands for British Thermal Unit, the measurement of heating and air conditioning capacity. A BTU is the amount of heat that must be added to one pound of water to raise its temperature one degree Fahrenheit. Or, CFC – chlorofluorocarbons, used as a refrigerant in air conditioners and heat. How about ‘return’? The path the air takes to get to a furnace so it can be cooled or heated. It’s the ‘return’ path. Here’s one you may already be familiar – carbon monoxide – a colorless, odorless, deadly gas produced when carbon burns without sufficient air nearby. And finally ‘vapour barrier’ – an impervious layer of material superimposed upon a layer of insulation. Vapour barriers are always applied on the warm side of the insulation layer.
After a couple of scheduled service calls on the heart and soul of your home’s mechanics, these words and more will practically trip off your tongue!
At aplusair.ca Heating, Air Conditioning & Ventilation they want to help you make informed decisions when it comes to the comfort and enjoyment of your home. With expert staff and second-to-none service, they can provide all your residential, commercial or institutional heating and cooling solutions. For more information, visit www.aplusair.ca.