2,400+ Definitions
HVAC GLOSSARY
Every HVAC term, acronym, and industry phrase — defined in plain English.
Condenser Fan
A condenser fan is an axial fan housed within the…
Condenser Fan Motor
A condenser fan motor is an electric motor mounted in…
Condenser Unit
A condenser unit is the outdoor component of a split-system…
Condensing Furnace
A condensing furnace is a high-efficiency heating system that extracts…
Conditioned Space
Conditioned space refers to building areas served by active heating…
Conduction
Conduction is the transfer of thermal energy through a material…
Connected HVAC
Connected HVAC refers to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems…
Conservation Voltage Reduction
Conservation Voltage Reduction (CVR) is a utility strategy that lowers…
Consortium for Energy Efficiency
The Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) is a nonprofit organization…
Constant Air Volume
A Constant Air Volume (CAV) system is a type of…
Constant Torque Load
A constant torque load maintains consistent resistance regardless of motor…
Construction Documents
Construction Documents are comprehensive, final-phase drawings and specifications that contain…
Contactor
A contactor is an electromagnetic switching device that controls power…
Contactor Failure
Contactor failure occurs when the electromagnetic switch fails to close…
Continuity Test
A continuity test measures whether electrical current can flow unobstructed…
Continuous Commissioning
Continuous commissioning is the sustained verification and optimization of building…
Continuous Insulation
Continuous insulation is a thermal barrier applied across the entire…
Continuous Monitoring
Continuous monitoring refers to real-time, 24/7 measurement of indoor air…
Control Board
A control board is the central electronic component that manages…
Control Calibration
Control calibration involves adjusting thermostat and building management system settings…
Control Damper
A control damper is an automatic or modulating damper controlled…
Control Diagram
A Control Diagram is a detailed schematic illustrating all sensors,…
Control Narrative
A Control Narrative is a written description of how a…
Control System Design
Control System Design specifies the hardware, software, and logic sequences…
Control Transformer
A control transformer is a step-down transformer that reduces line…
Control Valve
A Control Valve is an actuated device that modulates fluid…
Controlled Environment
A controlled environment is a space where temperature, humidity, air…
Convection
Convection is the transfer of thermal energy through the movement…
Convector
A convector is a heating device that transfers warmth from…
Cool Roof
A cool roof is a roofing system with high solar…
Cooling Coil
A cooling coil is a heat exchanger that removes thermal…
Cooling Load
Cooling load is the rate at which heat must be…
Cooling Load Calculation
Cooling load calculation determines the total heat removal capacity (in…
Cooling Seasonal Performance Factor
Cooling Seasonal Performance Factor (CSPF) measures the total cooling output…
Cooling Tower
A cooling tower is a heat rejection device that transfers…
Cooling Tower Blowdown
Blowdown is the controlled release of concentrated circulating water from…
Cooling Tower Chemical Treatment
Cooling tower chemical treatment involves adding specialized biocides, corrosion inhibitors,…
Cooling Tower Efficiency
Cooling tower efficiency measures how effectively a tower removes heat…
Cooling Tower Makeup Water
Makeup water is fresh water added to the cooling tower…
COP
COP (Coefficient of Performance) measures the ratio of heat output…
COP (Coefficient of Performance)
Coefficient of Performance (COP) measures the efficiency of a heat…
Copper Pipe
Copper pipe is a rigid or semi-rigid tubing made from…
Counter Flow Heat Exchanger
A counter flow heat exchanger operates with fluids moving in…
Counterflow Tower
A counterflow cooling tower directs air vertically upward while water…
CPVC Pipe
CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) pipe is a rigid plastic tubing…
CRAC Unit
A Computer Room Air Conditioner (CRAC) unit is a close-control…
Crankcase Heater
A crankcase heater is a small electrical resistance heating element…
Crawl Space Encapsulation
Crawl space encapsulation is the process of sealing and conditioning…