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Definitions


  • Air Handler: An air mixing and/or moving unit. Heaters maybe included or an accessory.
  • Architecture: Architecture is defined as the art and science of designing building structures and maintaining aesthetic and functionality. The architect usually does this within a set of documents, which are drawings and specifications. The drawings are drawn at a reduced scale on a manageable sized paper.
    For more information see How to Read Blueprints.
  • Balance: Balance can be symmetrical which is the same on either side of a central point or it can be a pleasing arrangement that may not be symmetrical but is comfortable to look at.
  • Boiler: Boilers burn gas or oil to heat water.
  • BTU: BTU stands for British Thermal Unit and is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water.
  • CFM: Abbreviation for Cubic Feet per Minute.
  • Color Scheme: Color schemes are usually based on colors on the color wheel. Colors next to each other relate to each other such as yellow and orange. Colors opposite each other are complimentary to each other such as black and white.
  • Conduction: Heat transfer through a material without displacement of the material.
  • Convection: Heat transmission by air moving past a heat source.
  • Damper: A movable plate found in ductwork to control airflow.
  • Dehumidifier: A unit that removes moisture from the air.
  • Diffuser: A grille, which distributes supply air in a specific direction.
  • Eave: Part of the roof that projects beyond the exterior wall, usually the lower edge of a sloped roof.
  • Eclectic: A mix of elements from different styles and/or periods that together look tasteful.
  • Faux Finish: Faux is the French word for fake and is used when a paint finish is made to look like something else such as stone or marble.
  • Feng Shui: A Chinese Art that teaches arrangement and placement of elements can influence your health, luck and happiness.
  • Focal Point: A strong visual element that draws your eye such as a fireplace or bright colored object.
  • Furnace: Furnaces burn gas or oil to heat air.
  • Girder: A Girder is a large beam used to carry concentrated loads at certain points along its length.
  • Heating Coil: A coil that serves as a heat source.
  • Heat Exchanger: A device designed to transfer heat between two separate fluids. Typically one would travels in a separate tube by the other inside a cylindrical shell.
  • Heat Pump: A heat pump absorbs heat out of your house in the summer and in the winter, reverses itself and absorbs heat and releases it into your home. This system is only efficient in weather above 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Humidifier: A unit that adds water vapor to the air to increase humidity.
  • HVAC: Abbreviation for Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning.
  • Low "E" Glass: Low "E" glass is coated with thin layers of transparent coatings to prevent energy transfer through the glass unit. It allows visible light but blocks infrared and approximately 83% of the suns ultraviolet rays.
  • Radiant: Radiant-heating heats surfaces, which then radiate the heat into the space.
  • Rafters: A rafter is a common framing member sloped or flat supporting a roof covering.
  • R-Values: Is a unit of measure for the rate of heat flow through a given thickness of material. Common material R-values are listed below. The higher the number the better insulation value the material has.
    • 1" mineral wool = 3.70
    • ½" Gypsum Wall Board = 0.45
    • ½" Plywood = 0.02
    • 5/8" Gypsum Wall Board = 0.56
    • 3 ½" Fiberglass Insulation = 13.48
    • 1" Isocynurate Insulation = 7.50
    • 1" Polystyrene Insulation = 4.00
    • 3" Isocynurate Insulation = 22.50
    • 3" Polystyrene Insulation = 12.00
    • 6" Fiberglass Insulation = 19.00
    • Insulated Glass = 1.65
    • 8" Concrete Block = 1.11
  • Scale: The relationship of one object to another such as the relationship of elements in a room with high ceilings and in a room with low ceilings.
  • Split System: A combination of outdoor units (air conditioner or heat pump) with indoor units (furnace or air handler).
  • Ton: 1 ton = 12,000 BTU's per Hour.
  • Veneer: Thin sheets of decorative wood applied to furniture or plywood.
  • Zone system: A way of dividing your home into area's which can be independently controlled as needed.