AC FAQ's - Parker Services AC & Heating

Glossary Of Terms

Air Flow:

The distribution or movement of air.

Air Handler:

The portion of the central air conditioning or heat pump system that moves heated or cooled air throughout a homeâ€™s ductwork. In some systems a furnace handles this function.

Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE):

A rating that denotes the efficiency of gas heating equipment. It is the amount of heating your equipment delivers for every dollar spent on fuel. A higher rating indicates more efficient equipment. This rating is calculated in accordance with the Department of Energy test procedures.

BTU (British Thermal Unit):

The standard of measurement used for measuring the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree (Fahrenheit). BTUH - The number of BTUs in an hour.

Carbon Monoxide:

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas produced by burning any fuel. CO is poisonous and symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to those of the flu: headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea and dizziness. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends a yearly, professional inspection.

CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute):

The abbreviation for cubic feet per minute, commonly used to measure the rate of air flow in an air conditioning system.

Compressor:

The pump that moves the refrigerant from the indoor evaporator to the outdoor condenser and back to the evaporator again. The compressor is often called â€œthe heart of the systemâ€ because it circulates the refrigerant through the loop.

Damper:

Found in ductwork, this movable plate opens and closes to control airflow. Dampers are used effectively in zoning to regulate airflow to certain rooms.

Ductwork:

Pipes or channels that carry air throughout a building.

Energy StarÂ®

An EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) designation attached to HVAC products that meet or exceed EPA energy guidelines for highâ€”efficiency systems.

Evaporator Coil:

Part of split system air conditioner or heat pump indoors. The evaporator coil cools and dehumidifies the air by converting liquid refrigerant into a gas, which absorbs the heat from the air. The warmed refrigerant is then carried through a tube to the outdoor unit.

Heat Exchanger:

Located in the furnace, the heat exchanger transfers heat to the surrounding air, which is then pumped throughout your home.

Heat Pump:

A heat pump is a HVAC unit that heats or cools by moving heat. During the winter, a heat pump draws heat from outdoor air and circulates it through your homeâ€™s ductwork. In the summer, it reverses the process and removes heat from inside your home and releases it outdoors.

HSPF:

The Heating Seasonal Performance Factor is a measure of the heating efficiency of a heat pump. The higher the HSPF number, the more efficiently the heat pump heats your home.

HVAC:

An acronym for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning.

MERV rating:

Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. MERV ratings are used to rate the ability of an air conditioning filter to remove dust from the air as it passes through the filter. MERV is a standard used to measure the overall efficiency of a filter. Higher MERV ratings mean fewer dust particles and other airborne contaminants pass through the filter.

Package Unit:

A self-contained heating and/or air conditioning system.

R 410A/PuronÂ©:

PuronÂ© refrigerant is an environmentally sound refrigerant designed not to harm the earthâ€™s ozone layer. Federal law requires that all manufacturers phase out ozone depleting refrigerants in the next few years. PuronÂ© is approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency as a replacement for Freon R22.

Refrigerant Lines:

Set of two copper lines connecting the outdoor unit and the indoor unit.

SEER:

The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is a measure of the cooling efficiency of your air conditioner or heat pump. The higher the SEER number, the more efficient the system is at converting electricity into cooling power and the more money you can save.

Split System:

Refers to an air conditioner or heat pump that has components in two locations. Usually, one part of the system is located inside (evaporator coil) and the other is located outside (condenser coil).

Thermidistat:

The Thermidistat Control monitors temperatures both inside and outside, as well as indoor humidity and adjusts system operation to maintain the temperature and humidity levels set by the Homeowner.

Ton:

A unit of measurement for cooling capacity. One ton = 12,000 BTUâ€™s per hour.

Upflow:

A type of furnace that draws cool air from the bottom and blows the warmed air out the top into the ductwork. This type of furnace is usually installed in a basement or an out-of-the-way closet.

Variable Speed:

A motor that automatically adjusts the flow of warm or cool air for ultimate comfort.

Meet Our Staff

Leroy Parker: Owner & President I'm Roy Parker and as president of Parker Services, I’d like to take a moment ...
Richard Ingram: Vice President, Senior Estimator Parker Services, Inc. Air Conditioning & Heating 1600 Mill Street Tallahassee,...
Jeremy Parker: Engineer/Construction Estimator Parker Services, Inc. Air Conditioning & Heating 1600 Mill Street Tallahassee...
Rhonda Paul: Operations Manager Rhonda performs her tasks with style & grace and makes sure the rest do the same...
Dennis Parker: Construction Manager Parker Services, Inc. Air Conditioning & Heating 1600 Mill Street Tallahassee,...
Mike Smith: Comfort Consultant Mike has over 30 years in the HVAC field including Service, Installation, Design...
Brian Parker Sr: Service Manager Parker Services, Inc. Air Conditioning & Heating 1600 Mill Street Tallahassee,...
Chris Merrill: Warehouse Manager Chris is responsible for ordering equipment for residential and commercial....

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Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I have my equipment serviced?

Heating and air conditioning equipment should be serviced twice a year, once before each cooling season and once before each heating season.

Why should I have my equipment serviced?

You can easily have a problem with your system and not even know about it, which can cause high utility bills and decrease the life of your system. Having a yearly maintenance plan gives you peace of mind and your system will give you peak performance for many years.

What does SEER mean?

Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. A measure of seasonal or annual efficiency of a central air conditioner. The higher the SEER number, the more energy efficient your system will be.

Do you sell and install other brands than Carrier?

Yes, Trane, Comfortmaker and other quality systems. No matter what brand we install, our installations are done to our high specifications to ensure each job is done right.

Do you offer financing?

Yes, we have financing plans suitable for all budgets.

Will a programmable thermostat reduce my utility bills?

Yes, programmable thermostats may reduce your bill by up to 30% by programming your thermostat to be at a higher setting when nobody is home.

Can I save money by using a ceiling fan with my system?

Ceiling fans use very little electricity. By using ceiling fans, you can raise your thermostat to a higher setting and still be comfortable, while using less energy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Meet Our Staff

Leroy Parker

Owner & President

Richard Ingram

Vice President, Senior Estimator

Jeremy Parker

Engineer/Construction Estimator

Rhonda Paul

Operations Manager

Dennis Parker

Construction Manager

Mike Smith

Comfort Consultant

Brian Parker Sr

Service Manager

Chris Merrill

Warehouse Manager

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Frequently Asked Questions