The production of an electric current in a conductor by the variation of a magnetic field in its vicinity.

The maximum possible voltage across a photovoltaic cell; the voltage across the cell in sunlight when no current is flowing.

A light source composed of a metal base, a glass tube filled with an inert gas or a vapor, and base pins to attach to a fixture.

Gasoline fuel additives such as ethanol, ETBE, or MTBE that add extra oxygen to gasoline to reduce carbon monoxide pollution produced by vehicles.

A naturally occurring radioactive gas found in the U.S. in nearly all types of soil, rock, and water. It can migrate into most buildings. Studies have linked high concentrations of radon to lung cancer.

The grilled opening into a room by which the amount of warm air from a furnace can be directed or controlled; may include a damper.

A unit of heat containing 100,000 British thermal units (Btu).

Ratio of useful energy output of a device to the energy input, averaged over an entire heating season.

The housing around a motor that supports the active parts and protects them. They come in different varieties (open, protected) depending on the degree of protection required.

A unit of electrical capacitance; the capacitance of a capacitor between the plates of which there appears a difference of 1 Volt when it is charged by one coulomb of electricity.

A drag-type wind machine that can react to wind from any direction.

A type of heat pump that transfers heat from outdoor air to indoor air during the heating season, and works in reverse during the cooling season.

A total life cycle cost divided into equal amounts.

The prescribed level of pollutants allowed in outside or indoor air as established by legislation.

see Peak Power

Generation of energy at the location where all or most of it will be used.

The pressure of the steam or water in a boiler as measured; usually expressed in pounds per square inch gauge (psig).

A type of municipal solid waste (MSW) incineration facility in which MSW is burned with only minor presorting to remove oversize, hazardous, or explosive materials. Mass burn facilities can be large, with capacities of 3000 tons (2.7 million kg) of MSW pe ...

A device that measures the intensity of direct beam solar radiation.

A type of (geothermal) heat pump that uses well (ground) or surface water as a heat source. Water has a more stable seasonal temperature than air thus making for a more efficient heat source.