A type of solar thermal collector that has tubes (pipes) that the heat transfer fluid flows through that are connected to a flat absorber plate.

The duct(s) of a forced air heating/cooling system through which heated or cooled air is supplied to rooms by the action of the fan of the central heating or cooling unit.

The actual power rating that is developed by a motor before losses occur.

A term used to describe heat energy lost from a water heater tank.

A fluorescent lamp that has a tubular shape.

This is a positive constant, k, that is a property of a substance and is used in the calculation of heat transfer rates for materials. It is the amount of heat that flows through a specified area and thickness of a material over a specified period of time ...

The difference in electrical pressure (voltage) between any two points in an electrical system or between any point in an electrical system and the earth.

The inner coil in a heat pump that, during the cooling mode, absorbs heat from the inside air and boils the liquid refrigerant to a vapor, which cools the house.

A combustion heating appliance in which heat is captured from the burning of a fuel for distribution, comprised mainly of a combustion chamber and heat exchanger.

An engine in which fuel is burned (or heat is applied) to the outside of a cylinder; a Stirling engine.

The part of a wind energy conversion device blade, or airfoil, that is the last to contact the wind.

Also known as "power towers," these use fields of two-axis tracking mirrors known as heliostats. Each heliostat is individually positioned by a computer control system to reflect the sun's rays to a tower-mounted thermal receiver. The effect of many helio ...

The total amount of electricity produced by a power plant.

The ratio of solar radiation captured and transfered to the collector (heat transfer) fluid.

A computer software program that simulates energy consumption of commercial buildings; used for design and auditing purposes.

The energy liberated in a chemical reaction, as in the combustion of fuels.

The measure of the instantaneous energy efficiency of room air conditioners; the cooling capacity in Btu/hr divided by the watts of power consumed at a specific outdoor temperature (usually 95 degrees Fahrenheit).

A unit of rate of operation. Electrical Hp: a measure of time rate of mechanical energy output; usually applied to electric motors as the maximum output; 1 electrical Hp is equal to 0.746 kilowatts or 2,545 Btu per hour. Shaft Hp: a measure of the actual ...

The low effective temperature of the sky on a clear night.

Conventional turbine generators are used with the dry steam resources. The steam is used directly, eliminating the need for boilers and boiler fuel that characterizes other steam-power-generating technologies. This technology is limited because dry-steam ...