The HTRC

The Homeowners & Trades Resource Center

Condenser

A condenser is a device or object used to turn a gas or vapor back into a liquid. While long glass tubes were used by scientists for centuries, the most common type found in a home or business is a mechanical one used on refrigerators, freezers, and Air Conditioning units.

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Conduction

Conduction is one of three means of heat transfer which in this case refers to heat flow through an item or items that are touching. For More Conduction can also refer to electricity flowing through an item

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Convection

Convection or convective is the second of three means of heat transfer which occurs in a gas (air) or liquid environment via currents from one region to another. This is generally pictured in a circular format; as an item heats up this warmer air or water rises to the top and as it cools it […]

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COP

COP or Coefficient of Performance is a ratio used to measure the heating performance of the heat pump when it reaches steady state. It is comparable to knowing what your cars MPG is on the highway while not taking into account the hills, construction zones, and in town driving.

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CR

Condensation Resistance (CR) is an optional rating that manufacturers can elect to list on their NFRC label. It is expressed as a number between 1 and 100, and rates the ability of a product to resist the formation of condensation on the interior surface of that product. The higher the CR rating, the better that product […]

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Delta T

The Delta T or ΔT it simply an expression meaning difference in temperature. The most often used case is used for degree days & energy modeling and refers to the difference between the indoor & outside temperatures. In the infrared arena it can refer to the prior example or the difference between the ambient air temperature & […]

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DER

A DER or Deep Energy Retrofit is not about reaching a certain number, using specific products, replacing an item, or slapping a band aid on an issue, but rather it implies a comprehensive inspection being done, a plan being developed, with the culmination of opening &/or accessing the areas needed to properly fix the energy […]

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DET

DET is short for Duct & Envelope Tightness or Duct & Envelope Testing. Based on your munincipality it can require just a simple Duct Leakage Test &/or include a blower door or air leakage test. The “acceptable leakage limits” vary based on the current codes or your munincipality.

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DET Verifier

A Verifier is one who is certified to verify that a Residential building meets the applicable Energy Code requirements for duct & air leakage. Most municipalities accept; RESNET Home Energy Raters RESNET CHER (Comprehensive Home Energy Rater) BPI Heating (Only certification that includes training & testing with both the blower door & duct tester) Specialized & […]

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DHW

DHW stands for Domestic Hot Water – some auditors also use that acronym to describe the water heater 

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