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Common HVAC terms explained

Common HVAC Terms Explained | Oasis Air Arizona

Air conditioning jargon can be quite complex to most of those who aren’t a certified HVAC technician. If you have been looking for a new company or trying to Google what may be going on with your HVAC system, you’ve probably experienced this yourself.

Hopefully though – with some of these helpful tips – you can have a better understanding when talking to your HVAC technician! Some common questions that we’ve been asked and are answering here: “What does ac tonnage rating mean?”, “What’s a BTU?”, ‘What’s does SEER mean?’, and “What’s the difference between a tune up and a service call?”

WHAT DOES AC “TONNAGE” AND “BTU” MEAN?

You may hear the term “ton”, short for tonnage, which means the amount of cold air the AC must provide to cool your home. BTU is short for British Thermal Units and is the term used for measuring how much heat an AC can eliminate from a home per hour. With a combination of these two units, our technicians can properly size an AC for your home that will be as efficient as possible.

WHAT IS “SEER”?

A more efficient AC means less energy wasted – saving you money on your utility bills. A SEER is used to identify the AC’s efficiency and stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. On average, the most commonly used rating is a 13 SEER, but if you have an older unit it may be anywhere between 10-12 SEER.

HOW IS AN AC TUNE UP DIFFERENT FROM A SERVICE CALL?

You may hear some terms like routine maintenance, AC tune up, service call, etc. An HVAC tune up, also known as maintenance, is an overall check of the unit to make sure the system is working properly and is not in need of repairs. Many steps are performed as part of a tune up, including checking moving parts, testing electrical parts, and more. It’s recommended to have routine maintenance done once a year on your AC and furnace.

If your AC or furnace fails or isn’t reaching the temperature you set on your thermostat, we recommend scheduling a service call. Our technician would look over the system to determine the necessary repairs. Based on the diagnosis, our technician will give you the best options to get your system running. We also offer quotes for new systems at no charge!

THE PROS AT OASIS AIR ARE HERE  – CALL NOW

If you are interested in scheduling an appointment for a tune up or a service call, call our staff today at 480-485-5630. We can answer any questions you may have and get you set up with one of our certified technicians to get the job done. You can also contact us online for HVAC repair or installation near you!