Understanding your home’s comfort and plumbing systems starts with knowing the language. At Scott Hale in Salt Lake City, we believe that when you understand the basics, it’s easier to make confident decisions about your home’s care and maintenance.
This glossary highlights the most common HVAC, plumbing, and sewer terms you’ll hear from our technicians and in everyday home discussions around SLC.
Air Handler: The indoor component of a central air conditioning system that circulates cooled air through your home.
Condenser Unit: The outdoor part of your AC system that releases the heat collected from inside your home.
Evaporator Coil: The part of your system where refrigerant absorbs heat and begins the cooling process.
Refrigerant: The chemical compound that cycles through your AC system to absorb and release heat.
SEER Rating (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio): A measure of your air conditioner’s efficiency; the higher the number, the more energy-efficient the system.
Thermostat: A control device that regulates indoor temperature by signaling the AC or heating system to turn on or off.
Zoning System: A comfort system that divides your home into separate areas, each controlled by its own thermostat for customized temperature control.
AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency): A measure of how efficiently your furnace converts fuel into heat.
Blower Motor: Moves heated air through your ductwork and into your living spaces.
Boiler: A heating system that warms water for radiant heat or steam-based heating.
Furnace: The main unit that heats air for distribution throughout your home.
Heat Exchanger: Transfers heat from combustion gases to the air in your furnace system.
Heat Pump: A system that can both heat and cool by transferring heat in or out of your home, depending on the season.
Pilot Light: A small flame that ignites the main burner in older gas furnaces.
Plumbing Terms
Backflow: The unwanted reverse flow of water that can contaminate your clean water supply.
Drain Trap (P-Trap): The curved section of pipe under sinks that prevents sewer gases from entering your home.
Fixture: Any device that uses water, such as faucets, toilets, and showers.
Main Shut-Off Valve: The valve that controls your home’s entire water supply and should be used in case of a major leak.
Pipe Fitting: Connectors that join sections of pipe together or change their direction.
Pressure Regulator: Controls and stabilizes the water pressure entering your home to prevent damage to pipes and appliances.
Water Heater: The appliance that provides hot water for bathing, cooking, and cleaning.
Your sewer system carries wastewater from your home to the municipal system or a septic tank. Knowing a few key terms can help you understand potential issues and how to prevent them.
Cleanout: An accessible opening in your sewer line used for clearing blockages.
Main Sewer Line: The primary pipe that carries all wastewater from your home to the city system.
Sewer Camera Inspection: A diagnostic method that uses a camera to locate and identify blockages or damage inside sewer lines.
Sewer Lateral: The section of sewer pipe that connects your home’s plumbing to the city’s main line.
Tree Root Intrusion: A common cause of sewer blockages when roots grow into underground pipes seeking water.
Trenchless Repair: A modern sewer repair method that fixes pipes with minimal digging or disruption.
Making Sense of HVAC, Plumbing & Sewer Terms
Understanding the key terms used in HVAC, plumbing, and sewer systems can make a big difference when speaking with your technician or planning upgrades to your Salt Lake City home. The team at Scott Hale is always here to help explain, repair, or replace any part of your system with honesty and professionalism.
