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RELM Services in Texas brings you our geothermal glossary. Find out what the common terms used for geothermal systems mean.

Geothermal Glossary

Heat Pump: A mechanical device used for heating and cooling which operates by pumping heat from a cooler to a warmer location. Heat pumps can extract heat from air, water, or the earth. They are classified as either air-source or ground-source (geothermal) units.

Air Source Heat Pump: A heat pump that uses air to extract or expel heat.

Geothermal Heat Pump: A heat pump that uses the earth as a heat source and heat sink that uses a loop of buried plastic pipe as a heat exchanger.

Heat Sink: The medium, air, water or earth, that receives heat rejected from a heat pump.

Heat Source: The medium (air, water or earth) from which heat is extracted by a heat pump.

Open-Loop Heat Pump: A heat pump system that uses groundwater from a well. The water is then returned to the environment.

Payback: A method of calculating how long it will take to recover the difference in costs of two different heating and cooling systems by using the energy and maintenance cost savings from the more
efficient system.

Desuperheater: A partial heat recovery system that captures heat from the refrigerant system as it leaves the compressor and transfers it to the domestic hot water. The process only provides hot water while the heat pump is operating.

Air Conditioning Glossary

Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE%): A measure of a furnace's heating efficiency. The higher the AFUE%, the more efficient the product. The government's established minimum AFUE rating for
furnaces is 78%.

Air Handler: The portion of the central air conditioning or heat pump system that moves heated or cooled air throughout the home's ductwork. In some systems, a furnace handles this function.

Balance Point: An outdoor temperature, usually between 30°F and 45°F, at which a heat pump's output exactly equals the heating needs of the home. Below the balance point, supplementary electric resistance heat is needed to maintain indoor comfort.

British Thermal Unit (BTU): The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water (about one pint) by 1°F.

Evaporator Coil: The portion of a heat pump or central air conditioning system that is located in the home and functions as the heat transfer point for warming or cooling indoor air.

Heat Pump: An air conditioner that contains a valve that allows it to alternate between heating
and cooling.

Heat Source: A body of air or liquid from which heat is collected. With York heat pumps, the air outside the home is used as the heat source during the heating cycle.

Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF): A measure of a heat pump's heating efficiency. The higher the HSPF, the more efficient the product. There is no government established minimum HSPF rating for heat pumps.

Outdoor Coil / Condensing Unit: The portion of a heat pump or central air conditioning system that is located outside the home and functions as a heat transfer point for collecting heat from and dispelling heat to the outside air.

Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER): A measure of an air conditioner's cooling efficiency. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the product. The government's established minimum SEER rating for air conditioners manufactured after January 2006 is 13.

Single Package: A year-round heating and air conditioning system that has all of the components completely encased in one unit outside the home.

Split System: A heat pump or central air conditioning system with components located both inside and outside of the home. It is the most common design for home use.

Supplementary Heat: The auxiliary or emergency heat, usually electrical resistance heat, provided at temperatures below a heat pump's balance point.

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