If you are one of the many Massachusetts residents who are currently looking into a new heating system, you may come across some terms that you don't know. Don't worry! This is common as people within this community sometimes forget that most people don't know what these terms mean.

What Does HVAC Stand For?

Let's start with the basics: HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. HVAC is an abbreviation that is often used in companies that deal with installation and repair of both heating and cooling systems.

What Does HVAC-R Stand For?

HVAC-R is the same as above but the R stands for Refrigeration. If a company includes HVAC-R, it means they also deal with refrigeration systems and commercial refrigeration equipment.

What Does BTU Stand For?

BTU stands for British Thermal Unit. A BTU measures the amount of energy needed to heat or cool 1 pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit, depending on if the goal is heating or cooling. The higher the BTU, the more effective the system is at providing the desired temperature in a space quickly. However, if the BTU is too high it can create humidity problems and wear out the system faster. There are calculators online that can assist in finding the right BTU balance for your home.

What Does CoP Stand For?

CoP stands for Coefficient of Performance. CoP measures the amount of heating or cooling in relation to how much energy is put in. This is similar to BTU, but CoP specifically measures the ratio of useful heating or cooling output to the energy input required. A higher CoP means a more efficient system.

What Does SEER Stand For?

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It measures how much energy an air conditioning or heat pump system uses to reach the desired temperature annually. A higher SEER value means a more efficient, and thus cheaper, system.

What Does HSPF Stand For?

HSPF stands for Heating Seasonal Performance Factor. Heating Seasonal Performance Factor is the measurement of the efficiency of a heating or Heat Pump system. It is essentially the heating version of SEER. The higher the HSPF value, the more efficient the system.

What Does CCHP Stand For?

CCHP stands for Cold Climate Heat Pump. This is standard in Massachusetts but is still a good thing to check. Cold climate Heat Pumps can operate down to temperatures of -13 to -15 degrees Fahrenheit depending on the make and model of the system.

What Does IRA Stand For?

IRA, in an HVAC setting, stands for Inflation Reduction Act. The Inflation Reduction Act was passed in 2022 and had a variety of effects. One of those was the creation of massive rebates on Heat Pumps and other forms of renewable heating and cooling.

What Does DOE Stand For?

DOE stands for Department of Energy. The Department of Energy generally helps make energy use more efficient and creates standards for appliances.

What Does EPA Stand For?

EPA stands for Environmental Protection Agency. The Environmental Protection Agency enforces rules and regulations regarding pollution and chemicals involved in HVAC.

What Does kW Stand For?

kW stands for Kilowatt. A kilowatt is simply a unit for measuring electricity.

What Does kWh Stand For?

kWh stands for Kilowatt hour. This is a way of saying how much energy is used if you leave a device on for an hour. kWh is often used in pricing.

What is an Energy Star Rating?

Energy Star is a program run by the EPA in partnership with the DOE to encourage energy efficiency in the American market. They provide information on products and home improvement, run tests, and set industry standards. Approximately 40% of Fortune 500 companies partner with Energy Star.

What is a Ducted Heat Pump?

A ducted Heat Pump is a Heat Pump System that is attached to an already existing duct system within a home. They are often cheaper to install but less efficient to run.

What is a Ductless Heat Pump?

A ductless Heat Pump is a Heat Pump System that is directly connected into the walls and has multiple smaller units spread throughout a home. They often have higher upfront costs but are more efficient to run. A ductless Heat Pump can also be called a Mini-Split Heat Pump.

What If I Have More Questions?

Feel free to call Modern Energy at (508) 449-0449 and we will be happy to assist you with our expertise in the HVAC industry. You can also look around our website for other posts where we go over several of these topics in more depth, such as Ducted vs Ductless Heat Pumps and more specific information on the rebates given by the Inflation Reduction Act in Massachusetts.