Common Abbreviations in HVAC Systems

In the field of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), professionals frequently use a variety of abbreviations to streamline communication and documentation. Familiarity with these terms is essential for engineers, technicians, and anyone involved in HVAC system design, installation, or maintenance. Here is HVAC Abbreviations Guide:
Essential HVAC Abbreviations
HVAC: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
AHU: Air Handling Unit
FCU: Fan Coil Unit
VAV: Variable Air Volume
CFM: Cubic Feet per Minute
FPM: Feet per Minute
BTU: British Thermal Unit
EER: Energy Efficiency Ratio
COP: Coefficient of Performance
SEER: Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio
AFUE: Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency
ACH: Air Changes per Hour
RTU: Rooftop Unit
MAU: Makeup Air Unit
DX: Direct Expansion
CHW: Chilled Water
HW: Hot Water
OAT: Outside Air Temperature
SAT: Supply Air Temperature
RAT: Return Air Temperature
Tstat: Thermostat
DPT: Differential Pressure Transmitter
VFD: Variable Frequency Drive
TEV: Thermostatic Expansion Valve
TXV: Thermostatic Expansion Valve
HSPF: Heating Seasonal Performance Factor
IAQ: Indoor Air Quality
LEED: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
ASHRAE: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers