Glossary

A

A-Coil

An A-Coil is a specific shape of an evaporator coil named for its resemblance to the letter "A," typically used in vertical air handlers.
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A2L Refrigerant

A2L Refrigerant is a class of refrigerants, including R454B, that are categorized as "mildly flammable" but offer massive environmental benefits.
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Accumulator

An Accumulator is a safety component located near the compressor that prevents liquid refrigerant from entering the compressor's suction port.
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Air Balance

Air Balance is the process of adjusting an HVAC system to ensure that the correct amount of air is reaching every room in a building.
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Ambient Temperature

Ambient Temperature refers to the current temperature of the air surrounding the outdoor condensing unit.
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Anti-Corrosive Coating

Anti-Corrosive Coating is a protective layer applied to the fins of the condenser and evaporator coils to prevent oxidation and "pitting.
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Auto-Restart

Auto-Restart is a convenient feature that allows your HVAC system to automatically resume its previous settings after a power outage.
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B

Back-Up Heat

Back-Up Heat refers to a secondary heating source, such as electric heat strips, that engages when the outdoor temperature is too low for the heat pump to keep up.
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Blower Motor

The Blower Motor is the electric motor that drives the fan inside your indoor air handler to circulate conditioned air.
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Braze-Free Connection

A Braze-Free Connection is a method of joining refrigerant pipes without the use of a torch, typically using Flare Nut fittings.
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Building Envelope

The Building Envelope refers to the physical separator between the conditioned interior of a building and the unconditioned exterior.
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Bulk Pricing

Bulk Pricing is a discounted rate offered to contractors, developers, or property managers who purchase HVAC units in large quantities.
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C

Cabinet

The Cabinet is the outer metal or plastic housing that protects the internal Components of an indoor or outdoor unit.
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Capacitor

A Capacitor is a small electrical component that stores an electrical charge and provides a "boost" to start motors or keep them running smoothly.
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Carbon Footprint

A Carbon Footprint represents the total greenhouse gas emissions caused by the operation and manufacturing of an HVAC system.
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Cassette Unit

A Cassette Unit is a type of indoor air handler that is installed into the ceiling, leaving only a sleek decorative grille visible.
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Circuit Breaker

A Circuit Breaker is a safety switch in your home's main electrical panel that automatically shuts off power if an electrical fault or overload is detected.
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Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR)

CADR is a metric used to measure the efficiency of an air purifier or an HVAC system's filtration in removing specific pollutants like smoke, pollen, and dust.
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Coil Cleaner

Coil Cleaner is a specialized chemical solution used to remove dirt, grease, and oxidation from the fins of an evaporator or condenser coil.
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Comfort Zone

The Comfort Zone is a range of temperature and humidity levels in which most people feel comfortable, typically between 68°F–76°F and 45%–55% humidity.
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Commercial HVAC

Commercial HVAC refers to systems designed for larger-scale buildings such as offices, retail stores, and hotels.
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Compressor

The Compressor is the "engine" of your HVAC system, responsible for circulating refrigerant and creating the pressure difference needed for heat exchange.
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Condensate Drain Pan

The Condensate Drain Pan is a shallow tray located beneath the evaporator coil that catches the water as it drips off the cold fins.
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Cooling Capacity

Cooling Capacity is the measure of an HVAC system's ability to remove heat from an indoor space, usually expressed in BTUs per hour.
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Copper Tubing

Copper Tubing is the material used for the Line Set that transports refrigerant between the indoor and outdoor units.
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D

DTC

DTC, or Direct-to-Consumer, is the business model OLMO uses to provide high-efficiency HVAC systems directly to the end-user without going through traditional wholesale distributors.
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DX (Direct Expansion)

DX, or Direct Expansion, describes a refrigeration process where the air is cooled directly by the refrigerant circulating through the evaporator coil.
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Damper

A Damper is a movable plate located in the ductwork or air handler that regulates the flow of air to specific areas.
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Decarbonization

Decarbonization is the global effort to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by transitioning from fossil-fuel-based heating to high-efficiency electric alternatives.
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Decibel (dB)

A Decibel (dB) is the unit used to measure the intensity of sound.
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Dehumidification

Dehumidification is the process of removing excess moisture from the indoor air to improve comfort and prevent the growth of mold or mildew.
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Disconnect Box

A Disconnect Box is a critical electrical safety component installed outdoors near your condensing unit to provide a manual means of cutting power.
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Distribution Center

In the HVAC industry, a Distribution Center is a strategic logistics hub where inventory is stored and dispatched to ensure rapid delivery to customers.
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Drain Line

The Drain Line is a dedicated PVC or flexible pipe that carries condensed water from the indoor air handler to an appropriate outdoor drainage point.
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Drop Shipping

Drop Shipping is a fulfillment model that allows us to deliver HVAC equipment directly from our specialized warehouses to your front door without unnecessary middlemen.
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Dry Mode

Dry Mode is a specialized operating setting on your air conditioner that focuses primarily on dehumidification rather than aggressive temperature reduction.
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Ductless AC

A Ductless AC, commonly known as a "Mini Split," is a high-efficiency system that provides heating and cooling without the need for bulky, expensive ductwork.
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E

EER2

EER2 (Energy Efficiency Ratio 2) is the updated 2023 standard for measuring the cooling efficiency of an air conditioner at a specific outdoor temperature of 95°F.
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EPA 608

EPA 608 refers to Section 608 of the Clean Air Act, which requires that any technician who services or disposes of equipment containing refrigerants be properly certified.
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Evaporator Coil

The Evaporator Coil is the indoor component of your HVAC system where the actual cooling of your home takes place.
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Expansion Valve

An Expansion Valve is a precision metering device that controls the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator coil.
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F

Flare Nut

A Flare Nut is a specialized brass fastener used to secure the copper line sets to the indoor and outdoor units of a mini-split.
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Flaring Tool

A Flaring Tool is a manual or powered device used by HVAC technicians to shape the end of a copper refrigerant pipe into a 45-degree funnel shape.
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Floor/Ceiling Mount

A Floor/Ceiling Mount unit is a versatile indoor air handler that can be installed either low on a wall (like a radiator) or horizontally against the ceiling.
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Follow Me Feature

The Follow Me Feature is an intelligent sensing technology where the remote control acts as the thermostat for your HVAC system.
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Freight Shipping

Freight Shipping is the professional transportation of heavy, palletized HVAC equipment using large trucks and specialized handling equipment.
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G

GWP

GWP stands for Global Warming Potential, a relative measure of how much heat a greenhouse gas traps in the atmosphere compared to Carbon Dioxide.
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H

HEPA Filter

HEPA stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air, a type of filter that can trap at least 99.
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HSPF2

HSPF2 (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor 2) is the updated rating system used to measure the heating efficiency of a heat pump over an entire season.
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Heat Pump

A Heat Pump is a highly efficient HVAC system that can both cool and heat a space by reversing the flow of refrigerant.
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