Hearth abbreviations

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  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
  • Folks on Hearth.com often use shorthand for their forum posts.

    Below are some of the common abbreviations and other confusing terms you might find:

    OAK: Outside Air Kit
    PE: Pacific Energy
    VC: Vermont Castings
    DW: Dutch West
    CB: Central Boiler
    NG: Natural Gas
    SS: Stainless Steel
    ZC: Zero Clearance
    HT: High Temperature (also used to describe a class of chimney)
    FG: Fiberglass Insuation
    EPA: Environmental Protection Agency (USA- makes standards for clean burning)
    DHW: Domestic Hot Water
    OWB: Outside Wood Boiler or Furnace
    CFM: Cubic Foot per Minute - usually of a fan
    NFPA: National Fire Protection Association (sets fire standards)
    UL: Underwriters Laboratories (sets and tests to standards)

    Top down: method of starting a fire, smallest on top to larger on bottom
    Holz Hausen: A method of stacking wood in a circle with air space in the center

    (note: please add your own others!)

    Note: here is a full glossary of Hearth Related Terms:
    http://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/glossary-of-common-hearth-and-heating-terms.147766/