xc20

An air handler, or air handling unit, is the indoor part of an air conditioner or heat pump that moves cooled or heated air throughout the ductwork of your home. It is usually a large metal box containing important elements of an HVAC system that controls airflow and filtration. Lennox® air handlers are among the most efficient and quietest you can buy.

Central air conditioning (or central A/C) is a system in which air is cooled at a central location and distributed to and from rooms by one or more fans and ductwork. Lennox® central air conditioners are among the quietest and most energy-efficient units you can buy.

There are typically two HVAC coils in a system—the condenser coil in the outside air conditioning condenser unit and the evaporator coil in the indoor unit. The coils are what increase or decrease the temperature via heat transfer.

An AC or heat pump compressor is the part of an outdoor air conditioner or heat pump that compresses and pumps refrigerant to meet household cooling requirements.

A condenser (or AC condenser) is the outdoor portion of an air conditioner or heat pump that either releases or collects heat, depending on the time of the year.

A decibel (dB) is a unit used to measure the relative intensity of sound. For example, sound levels in a library are normally about 40 dB, normal conversations range from about 50 to 60 dB, and an operating motorcycle or garbage truck can be as high as 100 dB.

An air conditioner or heat pump that is shipped dry and charged with refrigerant at the place of installation. Dry-charged units are appropriate for homeowners who need a replacement unit compatible with R-22 refrigerant.

ENERGY STAR® is a program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designed to help consumers and businesses save money by choosing energy-efficient products and technologies. Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment with the ENERGY STAR® label meets or exceeds federal guidelines for energy-efficient performance.

The part of an air conditioner or heat pump that absorbs the heat from the air in your house. It is located inside the air handler or attached to the furnace.

A fan coil unit (FCU) is a device that uses a coil and a fan to heat or cool a room without connecting to ductwork. Indoor air moves over the coil, which heats or cools the air before pushing it back out into the room. FCUs can be less expensive to install than ducted systems, and are available in ceiling, floor-mounted and freestanding configurations.

See Evaporator Coil.

See Condenser.

The old standard for residential air conditioners, now being phased out by the U.S. EPA. Lennox offers dry-charged units for those who still have R-22 compatible systems.

A chlorine-free refrigerant that meets the U.S. EPA's newest, most stringent environmental guidelines.

A chemical that produces a cooling effect while expanding or vaporizing. Most residential air-conditioning units contain the standard R-22 refrigerant, or freon.

Two copper lines that connect the outdoor air conditioner or heat pump to the indoor evaporator coil.

A specially designed compressor that works in a circular motion, as opposed to up-and-down piston action.

Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) is an energy efficiency rating for air conditioners. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the unit.