Penn Foster Orientation to HVACR

Comfort Control

Management of temperature, humidity, air filtering, airflow.

Heating Systems

Devices for warming indoor spaces, central or separate.

Central Heating System

Forced air system, can be electric or gas.

Wall Mounted System

Baseboards or radiators using hot water or steam.

Hydronic System

Uses heated water from a boiler for warmth.

Warm-Air Distribution System

Transfers heat via air movement throughout spaces.

Ducted Warm-Air System

Forced warm air distribution through ducts.

Heat Exchanger

Transfers heat from burner to air in furnace.

Blower

Fan that circulates heated air through ducts.

Supply Plenum

Pathway for distributing heated air to rooms.

Return Plenum

Pathway for returning air to be reheated.

Damper

Controls airflow in supply duct for rooms.

Central Air Conditioning

System for cooling using evaporator and refrigerant.

Evaporator Coil

Cools air by absorbing heat into refrigerant.

Heat Pump

Device that can heat or cool a space.

Humidity Control

Regulates moisture levels in indoor air.

Bypass System

Adds humidity by circulating water into airflow.

Humidistat

Device controlling damper in humidity systems.

Desiccant

Material that absorbs moisture from the air.

Electrostatic Filter

Uses charged screens to trap air impurities.

Pleated-Paper Filter

Common filter type with increased surface area.

Reusable Filter

Foam or metal-mesh filters for multiple uses.

Electrostatic Precipitator

Air-cleaning unit using charged mesh screens.

Moisture Removal Process

The process of extracting moisture from the air to maintain humidity levels.

Heating System Types

Includes baseboard, radiant, and air-movement systems.

Fossil Fuel Heating

Uses coal, gas, or oil for heating.

Air Filtering Systems

Removes impurities from indoor air.

Centrifugal Chiller

Device used to cool water for air-conditioning.

Refrigeration Cycle

Process involving compressor, condenser, and cooler.

Compressor

Motor-driven component compressing refrigerant in chiller.

Impeller

Rotating component increasing refrigerant pressure.

Guide Vanes

Direct refrigerant flow into the impeller.

Condenser

Component where refrigerant loses heat.

Cooling Tower

External source cooling the condenser's water.

Refrigerant

Fluid used to transfer heat in chillers.

High-Capacity Chiller

Chiller type commonly found on commercial rooftops.

Condenser Fans

Fans used to dissipate heat from refrigerant.

Variable Air Volume (VAV)

System controlling airflow in air distribution.

Air Terminal

Device delivering conditioned air to spaces.

Diffusers

Devices distributing air evenly in a room.

Return Air Ducts

Ducts returning used air to chiller.

Thermostat

Device regulating temperature by controlling dampers.

Pneumatic System

System using compressed air for control functions.

Pneumatic Control System

System regulating air flow with pneumatic thermostats.

Direct Digital Control (DDC)

Electronic system managing HVAC operations intelligently.

Communication Bus

Wiring system connecting DDC components.

Thermistor

Temperature sensor changing resistance with temperature.

Humidistat

Device measuring humidity in the air stream.

Pressure Sensor

Device monitoring airflow within the system.

Air Handling Unit

Unit conditioning air before distribution.

Electric Heating Elements

Components heating air in air terminals.

Dampers

Valves controlling airflow in ducts.

Mechanical Refrigeration System

Transfers heat from low to high temperature.

Latent Heat

Heat generated during phase changes of substances.

Compressor

Pressurizes gaseous refrigerant for circulation.

Condenser

Releases heat from refrigerant to surrounding air.

Metering Device

Lowers pressure of liquid refrigerant.

Evaporator

Absorbs heat, converting refrigerant to gas.

Heat Pump

Regulates indoor temperature by transferring heat.

Cooling Function

Removes heat and discharges it outside.

Heating Function

Draws heat from outside to warm indoors.

Reversing Valve

Changes refrigerant flow direction for heating or cooling.

Efficiency Enhancements

Utilizes solar, lake water, or geothermal sources.

Dual-Fuel Heat Pump

Combines electric and natural gas heating.

Evaporative Cooling

Uses evaporation to provide cool, dehumidified air.

Desiccant Dryer

Removes excess moisture after evaporative cooling.

Air Conditioning System

Consists of compressor, condenser, expansion device, evaporator.

Summer Operation

Evaporator cools while condenser absorbs heat.

Winter Operation

Evaporator absorbs heat; condenser discharges indoors.

Transfer Valve

Automatically reverses heat pump functions.

Environmentally-Friendly Cooling

Uses evaporating water for natural cooling.

Building Integration

Evaporative cooling systems fit into architecture.

Components of Comfort Control

Temperature. Humidity. Air Filtration. Air-volume management.

Heating Systems Include . . .

Wood. Gas. Oil. Electric. Solar. Heat pumps. Geothermal.

BTU

The amount of energy needed to heat one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit [British Thermal Unit]

BTUH

British thermal units per hour

COP

Coefficient of Performance. The ratio of Total heat output divided by heat input

HSPF

Heating Seasonal Performance Factor. Rates a heat pump on its efficiency in its heating mode

What does SEER stand for?

Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The cooling delivered by equipment per dollar spent on electricity

Ton

A ton of air conditioning or refrigeration is equal to 12,000 BTU.

Entry-Level Helper

A first-year helper may be an apprentice who provides help to the senior technician in the field while servicing and installing HVACR equipment or systems.

Rough-in Installer

"Rough-in" is the initial HVACR system installation process, and the workers typically consist of first- through third-year technicians.

Start-Up Technician

Once a new system has been installed, a fourth- or fifth-year technician will go through the manufacturer's procedures for start-up.

Service Technician

A service technician has at least four years of field experience and provides individual system owners with repairs and maintenance.

Equipment Operator

Equipment operators are responsible for the safe operation of large commercial and industrial HVACR plants. They typically must hold a state or city license

Facility Maintenance Personal (FMP)

FMP are Responsible for planned and routine minor service on commercial equipment. They may perform duties on other facility equipment and be part of a crew.

Service Manager

This is a highly skilled technician with several years of experience who is responsible for overseeing the operation of an HVACR company.

System Designer

These contractors size and design HVACR systems for small to large buildings based on industry standard and design guidelines.

Sales

These workers specialize in either inside or outside sales. Inside sales technicians focus on parts and equipment for individual contractors. Outside sales technicians focus on parts and equipment for facility owners and contractors.

The Watkins have an air conditioner with oil furnace system in their home. When it's time to cool the house, they turn off the furnace's oil burner, which then turns on the air-conditioning system. This will supply _______ to the evaporator coil.

Liquid Refrigerant

Ryan is an HVACR technician repairing the compressor on a refrigeration system. In what form is the system’s refrigerant as it enters the compressor at its inlet?

Vapor

Kelsey is seeking a career as an HVACR technician. What certification must she have before she can start working?

EPA 608

Michael and his team of HVACR technicians are installing a high-capacity chiller on the roof of a warehouse. They've installed a large duct that will deliver the cooled air to a main distribution plenum that runs down the center of the building. How will the air be further distributed from there?

VAV Air Terminal

Ron is installing registers for a hot-air heating system. Where are these being placed?

The Walls

Sebastian is doing work at an older industrial plant that still uses a pneumatically controlled system. What component of the system supplies the clean air and opens or closes the valves depending on the room temperature?

Thermostats

The Galvins want to modernize their home's heating system. Their current system is hydroponic and fueled by fossil fuels. What are the four most widely used fossil fuels?

Coal, Natural Gas, Propane, Fuel Oil

Paula is a technician working on the HVAC system at a mall that's controlled by a digital direct control system. She's checking area conditions with a type of electronic sensor that changes its resistance based on temperature. What's the sensor?

Thermistor

An HVACR service technician is applying a desiccant to a device in the heating system. What component of the system is the technician working on?

Humidity Control

What component of a hot air system controls the air flow through a duct?

Damper