Glossary
Refrigerant
Definition
Refrigerant is the chemical compound that circulates through an air conditioning or heat pump system to transfer heat. It absorbs heat from indoor air (cooling mode) or outdoor air (heating mode) by changing between liquid and gas states. Common residential refrigerants include R-410A and the newer R-454B, which replaced the ozone-depleting R-22 phased out in 2020.
Understanding Refrigerant
Refrigerant does not get consumed during normal operation — if levels are low, there is a leak that needs repair. A refrigerant leak reduces cooling efficiency by 10-20% and can eventually destroy the compressor (a $1,500-3,000+ repair). Shipshape detects refrigerant issues by monitoring Delta-T and system runtime patterns, often catching leaks weeks before total system failure.
Related Terms
Proactive Home Maintenance
Proactive home maintenance is the practice of monitoring, inspecting, and servicing home systems before they fail, rather than waiting for breakdowns to occur. According to U.S. Department of Energy data, proactive maintenance reduces repair costs by up to 40% compared to reactive approaches.
SEER Rating (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio)
A SEER rating measures the cooling efficiency of air conditioners and heat pumps over a typical cooling season. Higher SEER numbers mean greater efficiency: a SEER 16 unit costs roughly 20% less to operate than a SEER 13 unit. Federal minimums are SEER 14-15 depending on region, while premium units reach SEER 25+.
Delta-T (Temperature Differential)
Delta-T is the difference in temperature between two measurement points in an HVAC system — typically the supply air temperature minus the return air temperature. A healthy AC system typically shows a Delta-T of 15-20°F. Readings outside this range indicate problems such as low refrigerant, dirty coils, or airflow restrictions.
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