Glossary
a b c d e f G h i J K l m n o p q r s t u v w X Y z
AFUE
Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, shown as a percentage, tells you how much fuel your furnace converts into usable heat. An AFUE of 90 means 90% of the fuel becomes heat for your home, while the remaining 10% escapes as exhaust. Since Baldwin County winters are mild, even a mid-efficiency furnace performs well here, but a higher AFUE still saves money on the coldest nights.
Advanced Reciprocating Compressor
An advanced reciprocating compressor uses a more efficient piston-based process for compressing refrigerant, improving overall cooling efficiency compared to standard reciprocating models. Because Baldwin County air conditioners run for much of the year, a more efficient compressor design translates into real savings on summer electric bills.
Air Handler
The air handler is the indoor component that forces conditioned air through your home's ductwork. In Gulf Coast humidity, the air handler's drain pan and condensate line work overtime removing moisture pulled from the air, which is why Boeschen's recommends checking this component during every maintenance visit to prevent water damage or mold.
BTU
A British Thermal Unit measures heat — either the heat produced by burning fuel for your furnace, or the heat removed from your home by your air conditioner. One BTU is roughly the heat given off by a single wooden match. Baldwin County's long cooling season means BTU output for cooling matters more here than in cooler climates.
BTUH
BTUH stands for British Thermal Units per Hour — the amount of heat energy a system produces or removes in one hour. It's the standard way HVAC contractors express a system's heating or cooling output, and Boeschen's uses it when sizing equipment for Baldwin County homes based on a proper load calculation.
Beckett Burner
A Beckett burner is a burner assembly used in oil furnaces that provides reliable combustion of heating oil. Oil furnaces are less common in Baldwin County than gas furnaces or heat pumps, but Boeschen's technicians are equipped to service and repair them when needed.
CFM
CFM stands for Cubic Feet per Minute, a measurement of how much air a system moves — the higher the number, the more air is being forced through your ductwork. Proper CFM matters in Baldwin County's humid climate because too little airflow can leave a home feeling clammy even when the temperature is on target.
Capacity
Capacity describes how much heating or cooling power a system can produce — measured in BTUs for heating and tons for cooling. Coastal Alabama homes generally need higher cooling capacity relative to square footage than homes in drier inland climates, which is why Boeschen's always performs a load calculation rather than guessing based on square footage alone.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, highly poisonous gas produced when fuels like natural gas burn without enough air present. Annual furnace inspections, which Boeschen's includes in our service agreements, check the heat exchanger for cracks that could allow carbon monoxide into your home.
Compressor
The compressor sits in the outdoor unit of a split-system air conditioner or heat pump and pressurizes refrigerant so it can absorb and release heat. Compressors in coastal Baldwin County homes are exposed to salt air, which can accelerate wear — Boeschen's recommends a protective coil coating and annual inspection for homes near the bay or Gulf.
Condenser Coil
The condenser coil is part of the outdoor unit and releases heat absorbed from inside your home by converting refrigerant gas back into liquid. Salt air along Alabama's coastline can corrode unprotected condenser coils faster than in inland areas, so Boeschen's recommends rinsing the coil regularly for homes near Mobile Bay or the Gulf.
DB
Decibels (dB) measure the intensity, or loudness, of sound produced by HVAC equipment. Outdoor units installed close to bedrooms or patios in Baldwin County homes benefit from lower-dB models, since systems here run for long stretches during our extended cooling season.
Damper
A damper is a valve inside ductwork that opens or closes to control airflow, commonly used in zoning systems to direct more or less conditioned air to specific rooms. Dampers are especially useful in larger Baldwin County homes with sun-exposed rooms that need extra cooling during the afternoon.
Downflow
A downflow furnace draws in air from the top and blows warm air out the bottom, typically used when the furnace is installed in a second-floor closet or upper-level utility space. This configuration shows up in some multi-story Baldwin County homes where attic or upstairs installation makes the most sense.
Ductwork
Ductwork is the network of pipes that carries conditioned air from the air handler to vents throughout your home. In Baldwin County's hot, humid climate, leaky or poorly insulated ductwork in attics can lose significant cooling capacity and let in humid outside air, which is why duct sealing is one of Boeschen's most requested services.
EER
Energy Efficiency Rating measures how efficiently a unit converts electricity into cooling, calculated by dividing BTU output by wattage. With Baldwin County's long, humid cooling season, a higher-EER system can produce noticeably lower summer electric bills compared to an older, lower-efficiency unit.
Electronic Air Cleaner (EAC)
An electronic air cleaner filters large particles from indoor air, then electronically charges and captures smaller particles like viruses and bacteria on a collector plate. In Baldwin County's humid climate, an EAC can help manage mold spores and allergens that thrive in moist indoor air, and pairs well with Boeschen's other indoor air quality solutions.
Energy Saver Switch
An energy-saver switch cycles an air conditioner's fan and compressor on and off together, rather than running the fan continuously, which reduces energy use. With Baldwin County's long cooling season, this small feature can add up to noticeable savings over a full summer of near-constant AC use.
Energy Star
Energy Star is a government-backed certification for products that meet strict energy efficiency standards. Choosing Energy Star-certified HVAC equipment can meaningfully lower energy bills in a climate like coastal Alabama's, where systems run for much of the year.
Evaporator Coil
The evaporator coil sits indoors and removes heat and humidity from your home's air by converting liquid refrigerant into gas. Because Gulf Coast air carries so much moisture, the evaporator coil in a properly functioning AC does double duty — cooling and dehumidifying — which is why a dirty or undersized coil shows up quickly as a "clammy" feeling indoors.
Fan Coil
A fan coil is an indoor unit used in place of a furnace and evaporator coil, converting refrigerant between gas and liquid while a fan blows air across the coil to heat or cool your home. Fan coils are common in homes paired with heat pumps, which work especially well in Baldwin County's mild winters.
HSPF
Heating Seasonal Performance Factor measures a heat pump's heating efficiency — the higher the number, the more efficiently it heats your home. Because Baldwin County winters are mild, heat pumps here rarely need backup heat, so a good HSPF rating translates directly into lower winter energy costs.
HVAC
HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning — the systems that keep your home's temperature and air quality comfortable year-round. In Baldwin County, the "AC" side of HVAC typically does far more work than the "heating" side, given our long, humid summers and short, mild winters.
Heat Exchanger
The heat exchanger is the part of a furnace that transfers heat from burning fuel to the air moving through your home, without letting combustion gases mix with your indoor air. A cracked heat exchanger is a safety concern because it can allow carbon monoxide into the home, which is why Boeschen's checks this component during every furnace inspection.
Heat Pump
A heat pump works like an air conditioner when cooling, but reverses refrigerant flow in heating mode to pull warmth from outside air into your home. Baldwin County's mild winters make heat pumps especially efficient here, since the system rarely needs to fall back on supplemental electric heat.
Horizontal Flow
A horizontal flow furnace is installed on its side and draws in air from one end, heats it, and sends warm air out the other end — most often used in attic or crawl space installations. This setup is common in Baldwin County homes where space constraints rule out a standard upright furnace.
Humidifier
A humidifier adds moisture to heated air to protect furnishings and reduce static electricity. Humidifiers are far less commonly needed in Baldwin County than in drier climates, since Gulf Coast air is naturally humid most of the year — homeowners here are more likely to need a dehumidifier than a humidifier.
Hybrid Heat
Hybrid Heat systems pair a heat pump with a gas furnace, automatically switching to whichever is more cost-effective for the outdoor temperature. Because Baldwin County winters are mild, a hybrid system here will run almost entirely on the efficient heat pump side, only calling on the furnace during rare cold snaps.
Indoor Coil
See Evaporator Coil. The indoor coil removes heat and humidity from your home's air — a job that's especially important in Baldwin County's humid Gulf Coast climate.
Load Estimate
A load estimate (or Manual J calculation) determines the exact heating and cooling capacity a home needs, based on square footage, insulation, windows, and local climate. Boeschen's performs a load estimate on every new installation, since Baldwin County's heat and humidity make accurate sizing especially important — an oversized unit short-cycles and leaves a home feeling damp.
Low Boy
A Low Boy is a furnace configuration that sits lower to the ground and takes up more floor space than a standard upright unit. This style is less common in newer Baldwin County installations but may still be found in older homes Boeschen's services throughout the area.
MERV
Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value rates an air filter's ability to capture particles, on a scale from 1 (least efficient) to 16 (most efficient). Coastal Alabama's pollen and humidity can clog filters faster than in drier climates, so Boeschen's often recommends a higher-MERV filter paired with more frequent changes for Baldwin County homes.
Matched System
A matched system uses indoor and outdoor components certified to work together at their rated efficiency and comfort levels. Mismatched components are one of the most common causes of poor humidity control in Gulf Coast homes, which is why Boeschen's always installs full matched Trane systems rather than mixing components.
Non-Thermal plasma (cold plasma)
Non-thermal plasma technology uses a high voltage applied to a sharp point to generate naturally occurring ions, which break down airborne contaminants into harmless compounds like oxygen, nitrogen, and water vapor when injected into your air stream. This can be a helpful addition for Baldwin County homeowners dealing with mold spores or odors tied to our humid coastal air.
Operating Cost
Operating cost is the day-to-day expense of running your HVAC system, based on energy use. Because Baldwin County's cooling season runs most of the year, operating cost is often the single biggest factor in choosing between HVAC systems here, which is why Boeschen's discusses SEER and efficiency ratings with every estimate.
Outdoor Coil
See Condenser Coil. The outdoor coil is exposed to Baldwin County's salt air and humidity year-round, making periodic cleaning and inspection especially important for homes near the bay or Gulf.
Payback Analysis
A payback analysis combines a system's purchase price and ongoing operating costs to estimate how many years it takes for energy savings to offset the upfront investment. In Baldwin County's long cooling climate, higher-efficiency systems often pay back faster than they would in regions with shorter summers, since the system runs — and saves — more days of the year.
Puron Refrigerant
Puron® is an environmentally sound refrigerant designed to avoid harming the earth's ozone layer, and serves as an EPA-approved replacement for older R-22 refrigerant. Most newer systems Boeschen's installs in Baldwin County use Puron or similar modern refrigerants rather than the phased-out R-22.
QuieTech
QuieTech™ is a noise reduction system built into certain Trane equipment that delivers comfortable heating and cooling with very little operating noise. This is a popular feature for Baldwin County homeowners whose outdoor units sit near patios, pools, or bedroom windows, since systems here run for long stretches throughout the year.
R-22 refrigerant
R-22 is an older refrigerant once standard in air conditioning and refrigeration systems, but production ceased under the Montreal Protocol due to its ozone-depletion potential. Many older Baldwin County homes still have R-22 systems, and Boeschen's can advise whether to service the existing unit or upgrade to a system using modern refrigerant.
Reciprocating Compressor
A reciprocating compressor uses a piston-like action to compress refrigerant in many air conditioning systems. It's one of several compressor types Boeschen's technicians service throughout Baldwin County, alongside newer scroll and two-stage designs.
Reclaiming
Reclaiming refers to returning used refrigerant to the manufacturer for proper disposal or reuse, which keeps it out of the environment. Boeschen's follows EPA-compliant refrigerant handling procedures on every service call in Baldwin County.
Recycling
Recycling, in HVAC terms, means removing, cleaning, and reusing refrigerant rather than releasing or discarding it. This is standard practice during repairs and system replacements that Boeschen's performs across Baldwin County.
Refrigerant Lines
Refrigerant lines are the two copper lines connecting the outdoor condenser coil to the indoor evaporator coil, carrying refrigerant between them. In coastal Baldwin County, exposed refrigerant lines can be subject to corrosion over time, so Boeschen's checks line condition and insulation during routine maintenance visits.
Riello Burner
A Riello burner is a burner assembly used in oil furnaces that provides cleaner, higher-quality combustion to improve energy efficiency. Boeschen's technicians are equipped to service Riello burners for the smaller number of Baldwin County homes still using oil heat.
SEER
Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio measures an air conditioner or heat pump's cooling efficiency — the higher the number, the more efficiently it converts electricity into cooling. Because Baldwin County's cooling season runs most of the year, a higher-SEER system pays for itself faster here than in regions with shorter summers.
Scroll Compressor
A scroll compressor compresses refrigerant using a circular motion rather than the up-and-down action of a piston, generally resulting in quieter operation and improved reliability. Scroll compressors are common in newer systems Boeschen's installs throughout Baldwin County.
Setback Thermostat
A setback thermostat is a programmable electronic thermostat with built-in memory that can run different temperature settings at different times of day. In Baldwin County's long cooling season, setting the AC back during work hours and recovering it before you're home can add up to meaningful energy savings over a full summer.
Single Package Product
A single package product combines both heating and cooling components into one outdoor unit, rather than splitting them between indoor and outdoor components. These units are often used in Baldwin County homes without space for an indoor air handler, such as homes with rooftop or slab-mounted equipment.
SmartRecovery
SmartRecovery starts a system running ahead of a scheduled temperature change so each zone reaches the target setting exactly when needed, rather than after a delay. This feature helps Baldwin County homeowners avoid the lag of waiting for a hot, humid home to catch up after a thermostat setback.
Split System
A split system has components in two locations — typically an evaporator coil indoors and a condenser coil outdoors. This is the most common HVAC configuration in Baldwin County homes, and Boeschen's recommends choosing coastal-rated outdoor components for homes near the bay or Gulf to resist salt-air corrosion.
Thermidistat
A Thermidistat™ control monitors both indoor and outdoor temperature as well as indoor humidity, adjusting system operation to maintain comfort on both fronts. Because humidity control matters as much as temperature in Baldwin County, a Thermidistat can noticeably improve comfort over a standard thermostat.
Thermostat
A thermostat monitors and controls your HVAC system's operation to maintain your set temperature. Smart and programmable thermostats are especially useful in Baldwin County, where setting back the AC during work hours can meaningfully reduce energy costs across our long cooling season.
Thermostatic Expansion Valve
A thermostatic expansion valve (TXV) is a precision device that meters the flow of liquid refrigerant into the evaporator coil to match the rate it's boiling off, helping the system run efficiently across changing conditions. TXVs help Baldwin County systems maintain consistent performance through our wide range of summer humidity levels.
Ton
A ton is a unit of cooling capacity equal to 12,000 BTUs per hour. Most Baldwin County homes need 3–5 tons of cooling capacity depending on size and construction, which is why Boeschen's performs a proper load calculation rather than sizing by square footage alone.
Total Home Comfort System
A total home comfort system combines heating, cooling, humidity control, and air quality equipment into one coordinated solution for consistent comfort regardless of outdoor weather. For Baldwin County homes dealing with both intense summer humidity and occasional winter cold snaps, a total home comfort approach often performs better than addressing each issue separately.
TrueSense Dirty Filter Detection
TrueSense™ dirty filter detection alerts you when it's time to change your media filter, rather than relying on a fixed schedule. This is especially useful in Baldwin County, where humidity and pollen can clog filters faster than the standard 90-day guideline used in drier climates.
Two Stage Compressor
A two-stage compressor can run at a low stage for most operation and a high stage when extra capacity is needed, improving efficiency, humidity control, and quietness compared to single-stage equipment. Two-stage systems are a popular upgrade for Baldwin County homeowners looking to better manage our long, humid cooling season.
UL
UL (Underwriters Laboratories) is an independent, non-profit organization that tests and certifies electrical products for public safety. Boeschen's installs UL-listed equipment and components on every job throughout Baldwin County.
Upflow
An upflow furnace draws in cool air from the bottom and sends heated air out the top into the ductwork, typically installed in a basement or closet. While basements are uncommon in coastal Alabama, upflow furnaces are still used in many closet and utility-room installations across Baldwin County.
Ventilator
A ventilator captures energy from stale indoor air being exhausted and transfers it to fresh incoming air, improving efficiency while bringing in outside air. This can help balance indoor air quality in tightly sealed Baldwin County homes without forcing the HVAC system to work harder against humid outside air.
Zoning
Zoning divides a home into separate areas with independent temperature control, using dampers and multiple thermostats. Zoning can be especially useful in larger Baldwin County homes with sun-exposed rooms that run hotter than the rest of the house during our long, intense summer afternoons.