Welcome to the Rural Energy "N" Glossary Terms!

A heat transfer process in heating systems where warmer air rises and cooler air sinks, creating circulation without the need for mechanical fans or pumps.

a flammable gas made up of mostly methane and other hydrocarbons occurring naturally underground.

In heating systems, negative pressure refers to a condition where the pressure inside a space is lower than the pressure outside. Negative pressure can affect the efficiency and operation of heating appliances and may require corrective measures to balance airflow.

A ventilation strategy in heating systems that creates negative pressure indoors relative to outdoors, exhausting stale air and improving indoor air quality.

The amount of heat energy produced by burning a unit of fuel, accounting for the energy released minus the energy required to vaporize moisture in the fuel.

The outdoor temperature at which a building's heat loss equals its heat gain, resulting in no net heating or cooling demand.

Techniques used in heating systems to minimize noise generated by equipment, airflow, or vibrations, improving indoor comfort and system operation.

A non-condensing hot water heater heats water directly through combustion, without recovering additional heat from combustion gases. While less efficient than condensing models, they are often more affordable and simpler to install, commonly used where high-efficiency isn't a priority.

Heating systems that do not rely on electricity, such as gas, oil, or biomass heaters, providing heat through combustion or other means.

Insulation materials used in heating systems that do not support combustion, reducing fire risks and improving safety in buildings.

A heating system that operates without pressurized components, such as open-loop hydronic systems or gravity-fed boilers.

A basic thermostat in heating systems that allows users to set a fixed temperature without programming schedule changes.

A valve in heating systems that allows fluid flow in one direction only, preventing backflow and maintaining system efficiency.

A component in heating systems, such as oil burners or spray nozzles, that atomizes fuel or fluid into a fine mist for combustion or heat transfer.

A type of temperature sensor used in heating systems to measure temperature changes based on the resistance of a semiconductor material.