Resources
Plumbing & HVAC glossary
What does that word actually mean? Here are plain-English definitions for the plumbing, heating, and cooling terms you're most likely to hear — so you can make decisions with confidence.
Heating & Cooling
- AFUE
- Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency — how much of a furnace's fuel becomes usable heat. A 95% AFUE furnace turns 95% of its gas into heat and sends 5% out the flue.
- Condenser (outdoor unit)
- The outdoor part of a split system that releases heat removed from your home. When it's blocked by debris or a failed fan, cooling suffers and the system can overheat.
- Ductwork
- The network of channels that distributes heated and cooled air through your home. Leaky or undersized ducts waste energy and create rooms that never feel comfortable.
- Evaporator coil
- The indoor coil that absorbs heat and humidity from your air. A frozen or dirty evaporator coil is a common cause of weak airflow and poor cooling.
- Heat pump
- A system that both heats and cools by moving heat rather than burning fuel. In cooling mode it works like an AC; in heating mode it reverses to pull heat into the home — efficient in the Lubbock climate.
- Indoor air quality (IAQ)
- How clean and healthy the air inside your home is. IAQ equipment — better filters, air purifiers, and humidity control — targets dust, allergens, and dryness common to West Texas.
- MERV rating
- A scale that measures how much a filter captures. Higher MERV traps finer particles, but the filter must be matched to your system so it doesn't restrict airflow.
- Refrigerant
- The fluid that carries heat through your AC or heat pump. Low refrigerant almost always means a leak — simply 'adding more' without finding the leak is a temporary fix.
- SEER2
- The current efficiency rating for air conditioners and heat pumps. A higher SEER2 number means the system delivers more cooling per unit of electricity, which usually lowers your summer energy bills.
- Thermostat (smart vs. programmable)
- The control for your system. A programmable thermostat follows a set schedule; a smart thermostat learns your habits and can be adjusted from your phone to help manage energy use.
- Tonnage
- The cooling capacity of an AC or heat pump, measured in 'tons.' One ton equals 12,000 BTUs per hour. Correct tonnage for your home's size and layout matters more than simply buying the biggest unit.
Plumbing
- Anode rod
- A sacrificial metal rod inside a tank water heater that corrodes so the tank doesn't. Replacing a worn anode rod during maintenance can extend the life of the heater.
- Backflow prevention
- A device or valve that keeps used or contaminated water from flowing backward into your clean water supply. Often required by code for irrigation systems and certain fixtures.
- Hydro jetting
- Drain cleaning that uses high-pressure water to scour grease, scale, and roots from the inside of a pipe — more thorough than a basic cable snaking for stubborn or recurring clogs.
- P-trap
- The curved section of pipe under a sink or fixture that holds a little water to block sewer gas from entering your home. A dry or missing P-trap is a common source of bad smells.
- Pipe insulation
- Sleeves or wrap that protect pipes from freezing and reduce heat loss. In Lubbock winters, insulating exposed and exterior-wall pipes is a key step to prevent freeze-related bursts.
- Sewer camera inspection
- Running a small waterproof camera through your drain or sewer line to see the actual condition inside — clogs, breaks, root intrusion — instead of guessing.
- Shut-off valve
- A valve that stops water flow to a fixture or to the whole house. Knowing where your main shut-off is — and that it works — is the single best way to limit damage during a leak or burst pipe.
- Tankless water heater
- A water heater that heats water on demand instead of storing it in a tank. Benefits can include endless hot water and space savings; it suits homes with high or space-limited hot-water needs.
- Trenchless repair
- Methods to repair or replace underground pipe with little or no digging, using access points instead of trenching across your whole yard. Often used for damaged sewer or water lines.
- Water hammer
- The banging noise in pipes when fast-moving water stops suddenly. It can stress joints over time and is usually fixed with arrestors or pressure adjustments.
General & Money
- Emergency service
- Same-day or after-hours help for urgent problems like no heat, no cooling in extreme weather, or active leaks. Joe Rushing offers 24/7 emergency plumbing and HVAC service in the Lubbock area.
- Financing
- Paying for a larger repair or replacement over time in monthly payments instead of all at once. Subject to credit approval; terms and offers vary.
- Load calculation (Manual J)
- An industry method for sizing heating and cooling equipment based on your home's size, insulation, windows, and layout — not a rule of thumb. Proper sizing improves comfort and efficiency.
- Maintenance agreement
- A plan for scheduled tune-ups of your plumbing or HVAC equipment. Regular maintenance can catch small problems early, support efficiency, and help equipment reach its expected lifespan.
- Repair vs. replace
- The decision of whether to fix aging equipment or invest in new. It weighs the repair cost, the unit's age and efficiency, and how often it's been breaking down — not just the cheapest option today.
Still have a question about a term?
Our team is happy to explain anything in plain English before you decide on a repair or replacement. Call us anytime — we offer 24/7 service in the Lubbock area.