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HVAC Technology and Energy Solutions Glossary

Browse this glossary of energy services, smart building technology, and HVAC terms to learn the definitions, phrases, and acronyms you need to know to make informed decisions for your building's infrastructure.

Commercial HVAC Glossary

    • Glossary

    Air Conditioner

    Discover how a commercial air conditioner removes heat and humidity from indoor spaces.

    • Glossary

    Air Handler

    Learn what a commercial air handler does and how it fits within an HVAC system.

    • Glossary

    ASHRAE

    Learn all about ASHRAE: what ASHRAE is, why the organization is important, and who its members are.

    • Glossary

    Boiler

    Learn what a boiler is and how one fits into a commercial HVAC system. Can modern boilers contribute to energy-efficient systems?

    • Glossary

    Building Automation System

    Discover what a building automation system is and how it can benefit your organization. Let the experts at Trane help you get the most out of your BAS.

    • Glossary

    Building Management System

    Learn what a building management system is and the benefits of using a BMS.

    • Glossary

    Chiller

    Learn what a chiller is, how one works, and the different types you can choose from for your building.

    • Glossary

    Commercial HVAC

    Learn from the experts at Trane what commercial HVAC is, how it differs from residential HVAC, and the recent innovations that can help fight climate change.

  • Coolant Distribution Unit (CDU)

    Looking for a very efficient way to keep your data center cool? Learn how a coolant distribution unit (CDU) Trane works from the experts at Commercial HVAC.

    • Glossary

    Cooling Capacity

    Discover what cooling capacity is and how it's used to determine the best size for HVAC systems.

  • Data Center Infrastructure Efficiency

    Discover what data center infrastructure efficiency is and how to maximize DCiE.

    • Glossary

    Dedicated Outdoor Air System (DOAS)

    Learn the purpose of a dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS), how it works to improve indoor air quality, and its benefits.

  • Direct-to-Chip Cooling

    Learn what direct-to-chip cooling is, how it works, and why it's beneficial for data centers.

    • Glossary

    Electric Heat Pump

    Learn what an electric heat pump is, how it works to cool and heat a building, and its advantages.

    • Glossary

    Energy Storage

    What is energy storage, and how is it used in HVAC systems? Get details from the experts at Trane Commercial HVAC to decide if it's the right solution for you.

    • Glossary

    Fan Coil Wall

    Discover how a fan coil wall works and how Trane's customizable fan coil walls can provide efficient temperature control for data centers.

    • Glossary

    Furnace

    Learn what a furnace does, how it operates, and where it fits in a commercial HVAC system.

    • Glossary

    Geothermal

    What does geothermal mean, and how does it relate to heating and cooling? Learn how a geothermal HVAC system works and its benefits.

    • Glossary

    Heat Pump

    Learn what a heat pump is, how one works, and the many types of commercial heat pumps available.

    • Glossary

    Heat Pump Chiller​

    Discover the reason heat pump chillers are becoming more widely used. Learn about their operation and advantages.

    • Glossary

    HVAC

    What does HVAC stand for, what are the components, and how is a system's efficiency measured? Learn the basics of HVAC from the experts at Trane Commercial.

    • Glossary

    Indoor Air Quality

    Learn what indoor air quality is, contributing factors, and why maintaining good IAQ is important.

    • Glossary

    Indoor Environmental Quality

    Learn about indoor environmental quality (IEQ) from the experts at Trane Commercial HVAC, including its definition, different aspects, and benefits.

    • Glossary

    Infrastructure Resilience

    Discover what infrastructure resilience means for commercial buildings, including how to make your HVAC systems climate- and disaster-resilient.

  • Liquid Cooling

    Learn about liquid cooling and discover why it's an efficient way to cool your buildings, including data centers.

    • Glossary

    Mini-Split HVAC

    Discover the potential benefits of a mini-split HVAC system, how they work, their commercial applications and more.

  • Power Usage Effectiveness

    What is PUE, and why is it important? Learn how power usage effectiveness is measured and how to optimize for it.

  • Refrigerant

    Learn all about refrigerants in Commercial HVAC. Trane Commercial's experts discuss the types of refrigerants and their role in heating and cooling.

    • Glossary

    Refrigeration Cycle

    Learn about the refrigeration cycle in commercial HVAC systems and common issues associated with it.

    • Glossary

    Rooftop Unit

    Learn what a rooftop unit is, how it’s used in commercial HVAC, and its advantages and disadvantages.

    • Glossary

    Smart Thermostat

    Learn what a commercial smart thermostat is and how installing one in your facility could benefit your organization.

    • Glossary

    Thermal Energy

    Learn the definition of thermal energy, how it can be stored, and how it is used in commercial HVAC systems.

    • Glossary

    Variable Air Volume

    Learn the meaning of variable air volume (VAV) and how it can be used to design an efficient HVAC system.

    • Glossary

    Variable Refrigerant Flow

    Why are VRF systems the future of the HVAC industry? Learn how VRF technology can play a role in your organization's sustainability goals.

    • Glossary

    Water-Source Heat Pump

    Learn what a water-source heat pump is, how it works and the benefits of installing one.