Air Duct Terms To Know
We’re back at it again and this time we want our customers to feel comfortable as they talk all things air ducts and we’re here to help with our top air duct terms to know!
Access Hole
When cleaning air ducts, it is necessary to create a series of access holes in the main trunk line. The main access hole is used to connect our vacuum hose and to create an exit point for debris. The access hole is typically 8 inches in diameter.
Air Handler
Parts of a system including the fan-blower, filter and housing. The portion of the central air conditioning or heat pump system that moves heated or cooled air throughout a home’s ductwork. Furnaces sometimes handle this function.
Burner
The device that facilitates the combustion of air and gas.
CFM
Cubic Feet per Minute. A measurement of airflow volume, often used to describe the capabilities of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. CFM describes the rate at which a certain volume of air moves in a certain period of time.
Condenser
The part of a refrigeration mechanism which received hot, high-pressure refrigerant gas from the compressor and cools gaseous refrigerant until it returns to a liquid state.
Damper
A damper is a valve or plate that stops or regulates the flow of air inside a duct, chimney, VAV box, air handler, or other air handling equipment. It may be used to cut off central air conditioning to an unused room or to regulate it for room-by-room temperature and climate control.
Diffuser
A grille over an air supply duct with vanes that distribute the discharging air in a specific pattern or direction.
Double Wall Duct
Ductwork that is fabricated from 2 layers of metal with a layer of insulation in between. The inner wall may be perforated for sound attenuation or solid to prevent thermal loss. In some cases, a layer of film is added to ensure no insulation enters the air stream.
Duct Sealer
A caulking either water or solvent based that when applied to connections or penetrations in HVAC systems seals gaps to ensure a minimum of air leakage.
Ductwork
A network of metal, fiberboard or flexible material flowing throughout a space which delivers air form an HVAC unit to the respective zones of a home or office.
Efficiency
The Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating, tells you how much heat the furnace will produce compared to the amount of energy required to product the heat. For example, if your furnace is rated at 85% AFUE, 15% of the energy used is lost and only 85% actually becomes heat.
Fan Coil
An indoor component of a heat pump system, used in place of a furnace, to provide additional heating on cold days when the heat pump does not provide adequate heating.
Filter
The main purpose of a furnace filter is to protect the blower fan from all the dust, hair and other debris the return duct pulls in.
>>How To: Change A HVAC Air Filter In 4 Easy Steps
Furnace
The major component in heating a home. A device that facilitates the combustion of fuel and air to create heat.
HVAC
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning; an abbreviation for the technology of indoor and vehicular environmental comfort. The overall goal is to provide thermal comfort and acceptable indoor air quality.
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
Indoor Air Quality is a term which refers to the air quality within and around buildings, structures, especially as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants.
NADCA
Also known as National Air Duct Cleaners Association, was formed in 1989 as a non-profit association of companies engaged in the cleaning of HVAC systems. NADCA’s mission is to promote source removal as the only acceptable method of cleaning and to establish industry standards for the association.
Register
Combination grille and damper assembly covering an air opening or the end of an air duct
Single Wall Duct
Ductwork that is fabricated with a single layer of metal.
Thermostat
Sensors that monitor and control the output of an HVAC system.
Truck Mounted Vacuum System
A powerful vacuum unit, attached to a truck that is designed specifically to remove debris from inside of the air ducts and return it to the truck’s collection system.
About AmeriClean, Inc.
AmeriClean, Inc was established in 1986 by Bob Eriks in a small warehouse as a provider of Fire Damage Restoration for Northwest Indiana. Fast forward to today and AmeriClean’s services include Carpet, Upholstery, Air Duct, Area Rug, Ceramic Tile Cleaning; as well as: Water Damage Restoration, Fire Damage Restoration and Mold Remediation. With 30 years of experience, AmeriClean, Inc. is now a leading name in water, fire and restoration services for both residential and commercial properties. For more information, visit our website or call 800.654.9101.
