Air Conditioning & HVAC Glossary for Texas Homeowners

At Absolute Air, we believe informed customers make better decisions about their comfort. Whether you’re shopping for a new system or just want to understand the terms your HVAC technician uses, this glossary of air conditioning terms will help break it all down in plain English.

Use this guide to learn more about how your HVAC system works and what to expect when choosing or servicing an AC unit in Kaufman, TX or surrounding communities.

The SEER rating tells you how efficiently your air conditioner uses electricity to cool your home over a season. A higher SEER means lower energy bills.
Most modern systems fall between 14 and 21 SEER. In Texas, higher SEER systems are especially valuable in the hot summer months.

A BTU measures the amount of heat an air conditioner can remove per hour. The higher the BTU, the more powerful the cooling. Example: A 24,000 BTU unit can cool a large open-concept living room, while a 9,000 BTU system is best for bedrooms or offices.

Tonnage is how we size an AC unit. One ton = 12,000 BTUs/hour. So a 3-ton system removes 36,000 BTUs of heat each hour.
It’s important to size your system properly—too big wastes energy, too small won’t keep up with demand.

This is the indoor unit of your HVAC system. It contains the blower fan and evaporator coil and is responsible for moving cooled air through your home’s ducts.

The condenser is the big metal unit outside your house. It expels the heat collected inside and works with your air handler to cool the home. Keeping this unit clean and well-maintained is key to system efficiency.

Refrigerant is the chemical that cools the air inside your home. It circulates between the indoor and outdoor units.
If your AC isn’t cooling properly, low refrigerant could be the issue. R-410A is the current standard; older systems may use R-22 (now phased out).

These are the air tunnels that distribute cooled air throughout your home. Leaky or uninsulated ducts can cause major energy loss.
Ask Absolute Air about duct sealing and cleaning to improve airflow and indoor air quality.

Your thermostat tells your HVAC system when to turn on and off. Smart thermostats allow remote control, energy tracking, and more.
We install and service models from Honeywell, Ecobee, and Nest.

This number shows how effective your air filter is at capturing particles like dust, pollen, and mold.
Residential filters usually range from MERV 8–13. Higher MERV = better filtration, which is important for allergy sufferers.

Short for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning, this is the entire climate control system for your home.
From AC installation to furnace repair, Absolute Air provides full-service HVAC solutions across Kaufman County and East Texas.

Trust Kaufman’s AC Experts

Understanding basic air conditioning and HVAC terms empowers you as a homeowner. When you know what terms like SEER, BTU, and tonnage actually mean, you can make more confident decisions about system upgrades, energy efficiency, and repair options. It also helps you communicate clearly with your technician, ask the right questions, and avoid overpaying for something you don’t need. At Absolute Air, we believe knowledge builds trust—and we’re here to make heating and cooling easier to understand for every homeowner in Kaufman and East Texas.

Whether you’re exploring a new air conditioner, scheduling an AC tune-up, or just want to understand your system better, Absolute Air is here to help. We’ve served Kaufman and East Texas for over 20 years with honest, expert service.

📞 Call us today at (972) 932-5373

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