Welcome to the Rural Energy "C" Glossary Terms!

The ability of a heating or cooling system to heat or cool a given amount of space. For heating, this is usually expressed in BTUs. For cooling, it is usually given in tons.

A safety device that monitors the presence of carbon monoxide gas, a potentially lethal byproduct of incomplete combustion in heating systems.

It’s a temperature scale where water freezes at 0 degrees and boils at 100.

A cooling system that provides air conditioning to an entire building from a central unit, often integrated with heating systems for year-round comfort.

A heating system that provides warmth to the entire interior of a building from one point to multiple rooms or zones.

A valve designed to permit flow in one direction only

This is the structure that provides ventilation for the combustion products / gases / smoke created by a fuel burning appliance. Typically, the chimney is constructed from brickwork and rises from the fireplace up through the house and above the roof. A chimney may be internal or external (on the outside of the house)

A pump used in hydronic heating systems to circulate hot water or other fluids through pipes, radiators, and heat exchangers.

Distance required per UL listing between the single wall liner, or outer shell of the double wall products to combustible material such as a shaft, roof, etc.

Coke refers to the carbonaceous residue that can accumulate on the burner or combustion chamber surfaces of an oil heater over time. This residue is formed from the incomplete combustion of fuel oil and can hinder the efficiency of combustion

A combination boiler that provides both central heating and hot water from a single unit, compact and efficient for residential applications.

The process of burning fuel in a controlled manner to produce heat energy for heating systems.

The enclosed space in which fuel is burned within heating appliances, facilitating controlled combustion and heat production.

A pipe or channel used to remove condensate water from heating equipment, preventing buildup and potential damage.

The process of collecting and reusing condensate water generated by condensing heating systems to improve efficiency and reduce water consumption.

A component in heat pump systems that removes heat from refrigerant vapor, causing it to condense into a liquid state for efficient heat transfer.

Condensing boilers are the most efficient type available. Such boilers help reduce heating bills and carbon emissions. 

The transfer of heat through direct contact between materials, such as when heat passes through solid surfaces in heating systems.

The interface or device used to regulate and adjust settings in heating systems, including temperature, fan speed, and operating modes.

The movement of heat by air flow.

A chemical reaction where metal reacts with moisture and oxygen to form metallic oxides. Eating away of metal due to chemical reaction.

Chimney and stovepipe deposits originating as condensed wood smoke having three stages. 1st stage is soot, 2nd stage is lumpy and crisp, 3rd stage looks like roofing tar and is smooth as glass.