Heating, Ventilation and Air-conditioning - WIP

HVAC

An internationally accepted abbreviation standing for Heating, Ventilation, and Air-conditioning.

Air-conditioning

The simultaneous control of the temperature, humidity, motion, and purity of the air in a confined space.

Refrigerant

The substance that absorbs and releases heat in a cooling system.

Cooling tower

A structure, usually on the roof of a building, in which heat is extracted from water that has been used for cooling.

Return air

The air conveyed from an air-conditioned space back to the central plant for processing and recirculation.

Damper

A movable plate for regulating the draft in the air outlet, air duct, or the throat of a fireplace.

Exhaust air

The air exhausted from an interior space to the outside.

Fresh air

Outdoor air drawn in for treatment in an air-conditioning system.

Air-handling unit

An air-conditioning assembly containing the fans, filters, and other components necessary to treat and distribute conditioned air to an entire building or specific zones within the building.

Filter

A porous substance, as cloth or a layer of charcoal, through which a gas or liquid is passed to remove suspended impurities or to recover solids.

Mechanical equipment room

Any room containing permanently installed machinery and equipment for the mechanical system of a building.

Preheater

A coil for heating air that is below 0°C (32°F) to a temperature slightly above freezing, in advance of other processing.

Supply air

The conditioned air delivered by an air-conditioning system to the served spaces.

blower

A fan for supplying air at a moderate pressure as to supply forced drafts in a heating or air-conditioning system.

Humidifier

A device for maintaining or increasing the amount of water vapor in the air of a room or building.

Pump

A machine that raises, transfers, or compresses fluids or gases by suction or pressure produced by a piston, plunger, or set of rotating vanes.

Chilled water plant

A room containing one or more chillers and pumps for air-conditioning a building.

Chiller

A device employing the compressive refrigeration cycle to chill the water used in cooling a building.

Window Type Air-conditioning System

One of the most common types of air conditioner unit. It is a single unit with all of its components assembled inside the casing which is installed in a window or by making a hole in the wall.

Split-type Air-conditioning System

This air-conditioning system has two components, an indoor and outdoor unit. The indoor unit absorbs heat, while the outdoor unit cools and pumps cold air into the indoor unit. The two units are connected by insulated tubes which are piped through a small hole in the wall.

Fan coil unit

Mechanical equipment coupled with a central air conditioning system used to dehumidify and cool the airstream injected to the conditioned space.

Air-conditioning condensing unit

The outdoor portion of an air conditioner collects heat.