Title: Course Glossary
Course: HET 290 Building Insulation > Section: HET 290 Building Insulation

Course Glossary

Terms

Term | Definitions | Glossary
Air conditioning | The process of altering the properties of air (primarily temperature and humidity) to provide comfort. - Wikipedia.org | Vocabulary Review
Air Diffuser | Air distribution outlet, typically located in the ceiling, which mixes conditioned air with room air. | Vocabulary Review
Air Duct | A hollow conduit or tube (square or round) that circulates air from a forced-air heating and/or cooling system to a room (supply duct) or returns air back to the main system from a room (return du ... | Vocabulary Review
Air Leak | A hole, crack, or gap where air can leak in or out of a house. Air leaks can make a home feel drafty or uncomfortable and waste energy. | Vocabulary Review
Air leakage | The rate of air movement around a window, door, or skylight in the presence of a specific pressure difference across it | Vocabulary Review
Air leakage | The rate of air movement around a window, door, or skylight in the presence of a specific pressure difference across it | Vocabulary Review
Air register | Component of a combustion device that regulates the amount of air entering the combustion chamber. | Vocabulary Review
Appliance back drafting | Depressurization that pulls air and combustion products back down a chimney or flue | Vocabulary Review
Appliance back drafting | Depressurization that pulls air and combustion products back down a chimney or flue | Vocabulary Review
Blower door | A machine used to measure the airtightness of small to medium size buildings | Vocabulary Review
Blower-door | Machine used to measure the airtightness of small to medium size buildings | Vocabulary Review
Blower-door | Machine used to measure the airtightness of small to medium size buildings | Vocabulary Review
Blown in insulation | Insulation product composed of loose fibers or fiber pellets that are blown into building cavities or attics using special pneumatic equipment. | Vocabulary Review
Building envelope | The physical separator between the interior and the exterior environments of a building | Vocabulary Review
Building material | Any material which is used for construction purposes | Vocabulary Review
Building science | The collection of scientific knowledge that focuses on the analysis and control of the physical phenomena affecting buildings. | Vocabulary Review
Building science | The collection of scientific knowledge that focuses on the analysis and control of the physical phenomena affecting buildings | Vocabulary Review
Building science | The collection of scientific knowledge that focuses on the analysis and control of the physical phenomena affecting buildings. | Vocabulary Review
Carbon Dioxide | Tasteless, odorless, colorless and poisonous gas that is a by-product of incomplete combustion of fossil fuels caused by a lack of air to support combustion. | Vocabulary Review
Cellulase | An enzyme complex, produced by fungi and bacteria, capable of decomposing cellulose into small fragments, primarily glucose. | Vocabulary Review
Cellulose insulation | Type of insulation composed of waste newspaper, cardboard, or other forms of waste paper. | Vocabulary Review
Coefficient of heat trasmission | Value that describes the ability of a material to conduct heat. The number of Btu that flow through 1 square foot of material, in one hour. It is the reciprocal of the R-Value (U-Value = 1/R-Value ... | Vocabulary Review
Cold conditions | Working conditions where the ambient air temperature is at or below 50°. This may also include working indoors, such as working in a walking-in freezer. | Vocabulary Review
Combustion Analyzer | Tool used to measure combustion efficiency | Vocabulary Review
Combustion Analyzer | Tool used to measure combustion efficiency | Vocabulary Review
Combustion Appliance Zone (CAZ) | Safety test designed to ensure no leakage of flammable fuels or combustion gases into the living space | Vocabulary Review
Combustion Appliance Zone (CAZ) | Safety test designed to ensure no leakage of flammable fuels or combustion gases into the living space | Vocabulary Review
Condenser | Heat exchanger that rejects heat from a refrigeration cycle. - Wikipedia.org | Vocabulary Review
Conduction | The transfer of heat energy from molecule to molecule | Vocabulary Review
Convection | The transfer of heat from one place to another by the movement of fluids | Vocabulary Review
Duct leakage tester | Diagnostic tool designed to measure the airtightness of forced air heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) ductwork | Vocabulary Review
Duct leakage tester | Diagnostic tool designed to measure the airtightness of forced air heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) ductwork | Vocabulary Review
Duct(s): | Round or rectangular tube(s), generally constructed of sheet metal, fiberglass board, or a flexible plastic-and-wire composite, located within a wall, floor, and ceiling that distributes heated or ... | Vocabulary Review
ENERGY STAR | ENERGY STAR is a government-backed program helping businesses and individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. | Vocabulary Review
ENERGY STAR Home Sealing | A process recommended by the ENERGY STAR Program for improving the envelope of a home to make it more comfortable and energy-efficient. The process includes sealing air leaks and adding insulation ... | Vocabulary Review
Evaporator | Heat exchanger that removes heat from a medium such as air or water. - Wikipedia.org | Vocabulary Review
Fiberglass insulation | Type of insulation, composed of small diameter pink, yellow, or white glass fibers, formed into blankets or batts, or used in loose-fill and blown-in applications. | Vocabulary Review
Foam (insulation) | A high R-value insulation product usually made from urethane that can be injected into wall cavities, or sprayed onto roofs or floors, where it expands and sets quickly. | Vocabulary Review
Foam Board | Plastic foam insulation product, pressed or extruded into board-like forms, used as sheathing and insulation for interior basement or crawl space walls or beneath a basement slab; can also be used ... | Vocabulary Review
Foam core panels | A type of structural, insulated product with foam insulation contained between two facings of drywall, or structural wood composition boards such as plywood, waferboard, and oriented strand board. | Vocabulary Review
Gable Vent | A screened vent installed at or near the peak of a roof gable that allows warm attic air to escape. | Vocabulary Review
Heat Transfer | The transfer of heat through conduction, convection, or radiation | Vocabulary Review
High temperature refrigeration | Air conditioning. - Wikipedia.org | Vocabulary Review
Home Energy Rating | A measurement of a home’s energy efficiency | Vocabulary Review
Hot conditions | Working conditions where the ambient air temperature is at or above 80°. This may also include working indoors, such as working in an attic. | Vocabulary Review
Insulation | A material that is designed to slow down the flow of heat in or out of a building structure. | Vocabulary Review
Joist | A beam used to support floors or roofs. | Vocabulary Review
Kneewall | A short wall in a room with a sloped ceiling. It is usually formed when the room ceiling follows the roof line of a house. | Vocabulary Review
Lock-out-tag-out | Used to secure the power or energy source so work can be performer. | Vocabulary Review
Loose fill insulation | Insulation made from rockwool fibers, fiberglass, cellulose fiber, vermiculite or perlite minerals, and composed of loose fibers or granules can be applied by pouring directly from the bag or with ... | Vocabulary Review
Low temperature refrigeration | Freezing. - Wikipedia.org | Vocabulary Review
Manometer | Instrument that uses a column of liquid to measure low air pressures | Vocabulary Review
Manometer | Instrument that uses a column of liquid to measure low air pressures | Vocabulary Review
Mastic Duct Sealant | Used to seal HVAC ductwork | Vocabulary Review
Medium temperature refrigeration | Fresh food refrigeration. - Wikipedia.org | Vocabulary Review
Metering device | Used to regulate the refrigerant liquid to flow at the proper rate. - Wikipedia.org | Vocabulary Review
Panel taps | Provide temporary power connection to operate small electrical tools or test equipment. | Vocabulary Review
Personal Safety Protection Equipment | Safety equipment such as safety glasses, respirators, and hearing protection used to protect technicians working in hazards conditionings. | Vocabulary Review
Pressure regulator | Device used to control the pressure of gases coming out of a cylinder. | Vocabulary Review
R-Value | A measure of thermal resistance used in the building and construction industry | Vocabulary Review
R-Value | Measure of the capacity of a material to resist heat transfer. This number is the reciprocal of the conductivity of a material (U-Value). The larger the number, the greater its insulating properti ... | Vocabulary Review
Radiation | The process in which heat travels through a vacuum and heats any solid object it comes in contact with | Vocabulary Review
Rafter Vent | A vent leading from the soffit into the attic through the space between the attic rafters. This vent allows air to correctly flow past insulation into the attic space. | Vocabulary Review
Recessed "Can" Light | A metal light fixture (or can) that is inset into the ceiling. These fixtures can be a big source of air leaks when installed in the upper floor of a home. | Vocabulary Review
Refrigerant | Liquid used in refrigeration systems with a low boiling point and possesses the ability to absorb heat. - Wikipedia.org | Vocabulary Review
Refrigerant compressor | Vapor pump used to pump refrigerant in refrigeration systems. Often considered the heart of the refrigeration cycle. - Wikipedia.org | Vocabulary Review
Refrigeration | The process of transferring heat from one place to a place where it makes little or no difference. | Vocabulary Review
Refrigeration | The process of controlling temperature, humidity, air circulation and ventilation, and cleanse the air in order to provide comfort. Also known as the ability to move heat from a place where it is ... | Vocabulary Review
Refrigeration cycle | Consists of four major components: the compressor, the evaporator, condenser, and metering device. - Wikipedia.org | Vocabulary Review
Ridge Vent | A screened vent installed along the top ridge of a roof that allows warm attic air to escape. | Vocabulary Review
Rigid insulation board | Insulation product made of a fibrous material or plastic foams, pressed, or extruded into board-like forms. It provides thermal and acoustical insulation strength with low weight, and coverage wit ... | Vocabulary Review
Rock wool | Type of insulation made from virgin basalt, an igneous rock, and spun into loose fill or a batt. It is fire resistant and helps with soundproofing. | Vocabulary Review
Rotating parts | Gears, pulleys, or fan sheave used to transfer energy from a motor. | Vocabulary Review
Sill Plate | A wood plank that lays flat on top of a concrete or masonry foundation or wall that supports a floor or ceiling joist. | Vocabulary Review
Soffit | The underside of a building overhang, beam, or arch, especially the underside of a stair or roof overhang. | Vocabulary Review
Soffit Vent | A screened vent in a house soffit that allows air to flow into the attic or the space below the roof sheathing. This helps keep the attic cool in the summer and allows moisture in the attic to eva ... | Vocabulary Review
Stack effect | The upward movement of air inside a building that results from heated air rising and escaping through openings in the building causing an indoor pressure level lower than that of the surrounding b ... | Vocabulary Review
Stack effect | The movement of air into and out of buildings, chimneys, flue gas stacks, or other containers | Vocabulary Review
Stack effect | The upward movement of air inside a building that results from heated air rising and escaping through openings in the building causing an indoor pressure level lower than that of the surrounding b ... | Vocabulary Review
Subcooling | The process by which a saturated liquid refrigerant is cooled below the condensing temperature. - Wikipedia.org | Vocabulary Review
Superheat | The process of adding heat above a refrigerants boiling point. - Wikipedia.org | Vocabulary Review
Thermal Break | An element of low thermal conductivity placed in an assembly to reduce or prevent the flow of thermal energy between conductive materials | Vocabulary Review
Thermal Bridge | A fundamental of heat transfer where a penetration of the insulation layer by a highly conductive or non-insulating material takes place in the separation between the interior (or conditioned spac ... | Vocabulary Review
Thermal Bypass | Air leakage energy losses in most homes | Vocabulary Review
Ton of refrigeration | 12,000 BTUs. - Wikipedia.org | Vocabulary Review
U-Value | (Thermal transmittance): The rate of transfer of heat through one square foot of a structure | Vocabulary Review
U-Value | The reciprocal of R-Value. The lower the number, the greater the heat transfer resistance (insulating) characteristics of the material. | Vocabulary Review
Weatherization | Energy efficiency improvement measures for homes, including a wide variety of measures that encompass the building envelope, its heating and cooling systems, its electrical system, and electricity ... | Vocabulary Review
Weatherization | Energy efficiency improvement measures for homes, including a wide variety of measures that encompass the building envelope, its heating and cooling systems, its electrical system, and electricity ... | Vocabulary Review
Willis Carrier | Invented the world's first modern air conditioning system in 1902 and is considered the grandfather of air conditioning. - Wikipedia.org | Vocabulary Review