Glossary

Btu/hr
British thermal unit per hour, also abbreviated Btu/h. One Btu equals the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit. Used for measuring heating and cooling equipment output.

Building Envelope
The Building Envelope is made up of the elements of a building that enclose conditioned spaces and through which thermal energy may be transferred to or from the exterior.

Climate Zone
The Energy Commission established 16 climate zones that represent a geographic area for which an energy budget is established. These energy budgets are the basis for the energy standards for Title 24.

Coefficient of Performance, Cooling (COP)
The coefficient of performance for cooling is "...the ratio of the rate of net heat removal to the rate of total energy input, calculated under designated operating conditions and expressed in consistent units, as determined using the applicable test method in the Appliance Efficiency Regulations or § 112."

Coefficient of Performance, Heating (COP)
The coefficient of performance for heating is "...the ratio of the rate of net heat output to the rate of total energy input, calculated under designated operating conditions and expressed in consistent units, as determined using the applicable test method in the Appliance Efficiency Regulations or §112." For residential buildings, the COP is used for large heat pumps, those with a capacity greater than 65,000 Btu/h.

Btu/hr
British thermal unit per hour, also abbreviated Btu/h. One Btu equals the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit. Used for measuring heating and cooling equipment output.

Building Envelope
The Building Envelope is made up of the elements of a building that enclose conditioned spaces and through which thermal energy may be transferred to or from the exterior.

Climate Zone
The Energy Commission established 16 climate zones that represent a geographic area for which an energy budget is established. These energy budgets are the basis for the energy standards for Title 24.

Coefficient of Performance, Cooling (COP)
The coefficient of performance for cooling is "...the ratio of the rate of net heat removal to the rate of total energy input, calculated under designated operating conditions and expressed in consistent units, as determined using the applicable test method in the Appliance Efficiency Regulations or § 112."

Coefficient of Performance, Heating (COP)
The coefficient of performance for heating is "...the ratio of the rate of net heat output to the rate of total energy input, calculated under designated operating conditions and expressed in consistent units, as determined using the applicable test method in the Appliance Efficiency Regulations or §112." For residential buildings, the COP is used for large heat pumps, those with a capacity greater than 65,000 Btu/h.

Btu/hr
British thermal unit per hour, also abbreviated Btu/h. One Btu equals the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit. Used for measuring heating and cooling equipment output.

Building Envelope
The Building Envelope is made up of the elements of a building that enclose conditioned spaces and through which thermal energy may be transferred to or from the exterior.

Climate Zone
The Energy Commission established 16 climate zones that represent a geographic area for which an energy budget is established. These energy budgets are the basis for the energy standards for Title 24.

Coefficient of Performance, Cooling (COP)
The coefficient of performance for cooling is "...the ratio of the rate of net heat removal to the rate of total energy input, calculated under designated operating conditions and expressed in consistent units, as determined using the applicable test method in the Appliance Efficiency Regulations or § 112."

Coefficient of Performance, Heating (COP)
The coefficient of performance for heating is "...the ratio of the rate of net heat output to the rate of total energy input, calculated under designated operating conditions and expressed in consistent units, as determined using the applicable test method in the Appliance Efficiency Regulations or §112." For residential buildings, the COP is used for large heat pumps, those with a capacity greater than 65,000 Btu/h.