When you hear “cassette unit”, do you think of your old 1987 Walkman? (Google it, youngsters!) In the HVAC world, a “cassette unit” is a type of air conditioning system installed in ceilings. And that’s just one of the many industry terms that might sound familiar to you, but mean something completely different to us.

Every industry has its own glossary of words and phrases that are easily understood by employees but sound foreign to the general public. Some of these terms even sound like everyday expressions, but have totally different meanings.

Here are fifteen common-sounding heating, ventilation, and cooling terms and what they mean to the crew at Pass One Hour.

1. Cassette Unit

Sounds Like: An audio or video cassette player for listening to music or watching movies.

HVAC Definition: A compact air conditioning system typically mounted on/in a ceiling instead of a wall, providing powerful and efficient heating and cooling for a specific area.

2. Chiller

Sounds Like: A device for making cold drinks or freezing food.

HVAC Definition: A refrigeration system that cools water or air for air conditioning purposes, commonly used in large commercial buildings or industrial facilities.

3. Commissioning

Sounds Like: Placing an order for a specific product to be created, such as a piece of art.

HVAC Definition: The process of ensuring that all components and systems of a building's heating, ventilation, and cooling infrastructure are installed, tested, and operated according to design specifications and regulatory standards, ensuring optimal performance and energy efficiency.

4. Cycling

Sounds Like: Riding a bicycle or motorcycle, possibly related to exercise or transportation.

HVAC Definition: The operation of a heating or cooling system turning on and off repeatedly in response to fluctuations in temperature or demand, affecting energy efficiency and system lifespan.

5. Duct

Sounds Like: A type of waterfowl known to swim, fly, and make quacking noises.

HVAC Definition: A passageway used to distribute air throughout a building for proper ventilation, heating, and cooling – like arteries that move blood throughout the body.

6. Flue

Sounds Like: A seasonal illness affecting the respiratory system due to a viral or bacterial infection.

HVAC Definition: A pipe that exhausts combustion gasses from a furnace, boiler, or fireplace to the outdoors, crucial for safety and proper ventilation.

7. Grille

Sounds Like: A method of cooking involving metal framework with burning wood or coal underneath.

HVAC Definition: A covering for an vent or opening, allowing air to flow while providing protection and aesthetic appeal.

8. Ignition

Sounds Like: Starting a car or lighting a fire.

HVAC Definition: The process of initiating combustion within a furnace or boiler to generate heat for warmth during colder periods.

9. Load Calculation

Sounds Like: A measurement of weight, especially something heavy.

HVAC Definition: A method used to determine the heating or cooling requirements of a building based on factors such as size, insulation, occupancy, and climate, ensuring a system is properly sized to efficiently meet the building's needs.

10. Media

Sounds Like: Communication outlets, such as newspapers, television, or social media.

HVAC Definition: The material used in air filters to trap particles and pollutants, ensuring the circulation of clean within a building.

11. Particulates

Sounds Like: Small pieces of matter, possibly leftover from cutting or transporting materials such as paper, wood, or rocks.

HVAC Definition: Tiny airborne particles such as dust, pollen, or smoke that can affect indoor air quality and potentially cause health issues if not properly filtered.

12. Plenum

Sounds Like: A derivative of the chemical element plutonium known for its radioactive properties.

HVAC Definition: A chamber or space within a building used to facilitate air circulation or act as a passage for HVAC ductwork, ensuring efficient heating, ventilation, and cooling.

13. Radiant Floor

Sounds Like: A floor illuminated by built-in lights or reflecting sunlight.

HVAC Definition: A floor surface with heating coils or pipes installed underneath that emit heat to warm a room evenly and comfortably.

14. Sensible Heat

Sounds Like: Heat that can be felt or measured directly, possibly related to weather or perceived temperature.

HVAC Definition: The heat energy causing a substance (such as water or air) to change in temperature without changing its state, such as liquid to vapor.

15. Static Pressure

Sounds Like: A term related to electricity, possibly due to intense friction or imbalanced electrical charges.

HVAC Definition: A measure of the volume of airflow through ductwork, indicating the level of resistance an HVAC system is pushing against while blowing air.

Okay, now that you know the definitions, are you ready for a pop quiz? 

Just kidding! 

It’s okay if you don’t understand all of this HVAC terminology… because we DO! Give us a call anytime (literally!), and put our team’s expertise to work for you. 

For more fun facts about HVAC along with musings from our founder Francis Pass, check out our blog.