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HVAC Glossary

Speak the language.

Plain-English definitions of the HVAC terms you'll see on quotes and spec sheets — so you can make a confident, informed decision.

AFUE
Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency — the percentage of fuel a furnace turns into heat. A 96% AFUE furnace converts 96% of its fuel to heat. Furnace cost guide →
Bryant Factory Authorized Dealer
A dealer that meets Bryant's highest standards for training, installation quality, and customer satisfaction. What is a Bryant FAD? →
BTU
British Thermal Unit — the basic unit of heating and cooling capacity. Furnace and heat-pump heating output is rated in BTUs per hour.
Cold-climate heat pump
A heat pump engineered to provide efficient heating in sub-freezing temperatures, suited to Minnesota winters. Do heat pumps work in MN winters? →
Dual-fuel (hybrid) system
A setup that pairs a heat pump with a furnace so each runs when it's most efficient — the heat pump for most of the season and the furnace for the coldest stretches. The standard reliable approach in Minnesota. Heat pumps →
Ductless mini-split
A heat pump that heats and cools a specific space without ductwork — ideal for additions, finished basements, and rooms a central system can't reach. Fix hot & cold rooms →
HSPF2
Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (2023 standard) — the heating-efficiency rating for a heat pump. Like SEER2 for cooling, higher is more efficient. Heat pumps →
IRA 25C
The former federal tax credit for energy-efficient home improvements (30% of cost, up to $2,000/yr on qualifying heat pumps). It ended for equipment placed in service after Dec 31, 2025, so it does not apply to 2026 installs. 2026 rebate guide →
Load calculation
An engineering estimate of how much heating or cooling a specific home needs (often called a Manual J). Correct sizing starts here — never a rule of thumb.
MERV
Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value — how effectively an air filter captures particles. Higher MERV captures more, but the filter must be matched to your system's airflow. Indoor air quality →
NATE-certified
North American Technician Excellence — the leading independent certification for HVAC technician competency.
SEER2
Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (2023 standard) — how efficiently an air conditioner or heat pump cools over a season. Higher is more efficient. AC replacement →
Short-cycling
When a system turns on and off rapidly without completing a full cycle. It wastes energy, wears out equipment, and often signals an oversized unit or another fault.
Ton
A unit of cooling capacity. One ton equals 12,000 BTU/hour of heat removal — home AC systems are commonly 1.5–5 tons.
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