Planning glossary
HVAC
Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems and controls; early planning reserves space but does not size equipment.
Example
Two homes with the same floor area can require different loads because enclosure and climate differ.
Related concepts
Conditioned area
Area inside the thermal and air-control boundary that is intentionally heated or cooled under a defined method.
Read definitionEnclosure
The connected layers that separate indoor and outdoor conditions, including water, air, vapor, and thermal control decisions.
Read definitionR-value
A measure of thermal resistance under stated conditions; a product label is not the same as whole-assembly performance.
Read definitionUse the term in context
Definition boundaryThis planning definition is not a substitute for the definition in an adopted code, standard, contract, manufacturer instruction, or professional document. Confirm the controlling meaning for the project.