Glossary of Indoor Air Quality Terms

<div class=article-entry><img alt= class=attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image height=1920 loading=lazy sizes=(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px src=https://dcr-apis.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/wp_contents/uploads/2020/07/West-Coast-Mechanical-action-shot-rgb-7-scaled.jpg srcset=https://dcr-apis.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/wp_contents/uploads/2020/07/West-Coast-Mechanical-action-shot-rgb-7-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://dcr-apis.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/wp_contents/uploads/2020/07/West-Coast-Mechanical-action-shot-rgb-7-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dcr-apis.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/wp_contents/uploads/2020/07/West-Coast-Mechanical-action-shot-rgb-7-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://dcr-apis.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/wp_contents/uploads/2020/07/West-Coast-Mechanical-action-shot-rgb-7-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dcr-apis.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/wp_contents/uploads/2020/07/West-Coast-Mechanical-action-shot-rgb-7-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://dcr-apis.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/wp_contents/uploads/2020/07/West-Coast-Mechanical-action-shot-rgb-7-2048x1536.jpg 2048w width=2560/><div class=featured-caption></div><h2>In your quest to perfect your indoor air quality system, you’ll encounter a large volume of extra features and technical specifications.</h2>The following glossary provides definitions and descriptions of terms you need to know:air conditioner The air-cooling unit that is typically located outside the home and provides dehumidification, ventilation, and temperature regulationair handler The part of an air conditioning system that regulates and directs air through ductwork, distributing air throughout the homeairflow volume The measurement of an air conditioner’s air output, typically in cubic feet per minute. This should be sized appropriate to the area of your home.asbestos A naturally occurring mineral that was prevalent in insulation in many homes built before the 1970s. Asbestos is usually found around steam pipes, boilers and furnace ducts, but it can also be used in vinyl flooring, roofing and siding.backdraft When air is drawn into a depressurized environment like a gas-burning appliance, leading to potentially dangerous concentrations of gasesblower The part of an heating system that circulates heated air throughout the homeAlso known as: furnace blowercarbon monoxide A colorless, odorless, poisonous gas produced by burning coal, wood, charcoal or natural gas.Also known as: CO, CO gasCFM (cubic feet per minute) The amount of air that flows through an air conditioning systemcompressor The part of an air conditioner that pumps refrigerant into the systemdehumidifier The equipment or feature that extracts water content from the air by cooling air until water vapor turns to liquid condensation, which is then removeddry bulb temperature A measurement of heat independent of humidity. A measurement of the raw heat content of air.ducts The system of pipes that transports air of the desired temperature from the heating or air conditioning system to the rest of the houseAlso known as: duct work, air ductsenergy-efficient The transfer of energy from one source to another without lossEPA The Environmental Protection Agency is a U.S. federal government agency that promotes energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly equipmentexhaust system A pipe and/or fan system that expels or exhausts gases, directing them outside or away from a combustion environment such as those present in HVAC systemsfiltration system A system that removes airborne particles of varying size from the air by trapping them in layers of various filtration materialsAlso known as: filterflue The part of an HVAC system or fireplace that vents out exhaust gasesAlso known as: flue pipefurnace A heating system that burns fuel to produce heat which is then distributed by air throughout a homehumidifier A device that adds water vapor or moisture to the air. Typically used in dry environments.HVAC Heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Most HVAC contractors perform air quality-related work.ignition system The part of a heating system that starts the combustion process by lighting a gaseous mixtureinfiltrometer A device created by the U.S. Department of Energy to test airtightness and identify air leaks. It is set up in an outside doorway and creates a 15 MPH wind on all sides of your home, using sensors to determine the precise locations of any internal air leaks.insulation A material that blocks the transfer of heat. It’s used in homes to surround hot water pipes and prevent heat from escaping the interior home environment.ionization system A device that purifies air on a microscopic level by using high voltage to electrically charge and “magnetize” airborne particles, causing them to attract to grounded surfaces like walls, floor, and ceilings, or surfaces housed within the purification device.Also known as: ionic air purifiers, air ionizerspressure imbalance A state in which neighboring air environments are not equal in pressure, causing air to flow from an area of higher pressure into one of lower pressure.purification system A system that cleans the air either chemically (usually through ozone) or electrically (through ionization) rather than simply trapping airborne particles in a filter.Also known as: air purification system, home air purifiersreturn vent The part of an air conditioning system that prevents a pressure buildup within an enclosed area by providing an “outlet” for air to counteract the supply vents that blow air into a roomAlso known as: air returnsealant A water-based or putty-like material that provides airtightness within a home environment by sealing porous areas (ducts, garages) and preventing infiltration and loss of heated or cooled airAlso known as: fiber-reinforced elastomeric sealant, duct sealantsupply vent The part of an HVAC system that blows heated or cooled air into an area of the housetemperature distribution Refers to the uniformity of the temperature in different regions of a home. Even distribution occurs when all areas of the home are heated and cooled equally, while uneven distribution occurs when some areas of the home are warmer or cooler than others.thermal bypass An area within exterior walls of the home in which there is no insulation, allowing heat to escapethermostat A device that allows users to monitor and regulate the temperature and settings of an HVAC systemultraviolet purification system A purification system that disinfects and purifies air using ultraviolet light, eliminating mold, bacteria and other harmful airborne substances.Also known as : UV purification, UV air purificationventilation system A system that facilitates the circulation of air into and out of a room or buildingAlso known as: ventilation return, ventilation supply</div>