BTU/h
A rate of heating or cooling output, commonly used to describe air-conditioner capacity.
WATCH-OUTIt is output—not electrical consumption.
Use this in context →COOLCOMPARE JARGON DECODER
Understand the term before the claim.
Plain-English definitions across home energy, heating, solar, EV charging, broadband and insurance.
26ESSENTIAL TERMS26 terms shown
COP
Heat output divided by electrical input at a stated operating condition.
WATCH-OUTA single-point COP is not a seasonal result.
Use this in context →SCOP
A standardised seasonal coefficient of performance for heating.
WATCH-OUTCompare the climate and test basis, plus the proposed system design.
Use this in context →SEER
A standardised seasonal energy-efficiency ratio for cooling.
WATCH-OUTIt does not predict the exact bill in your room.
Use this in context →Heat loss
The rate at which a building or room loses heat under defined indoor and outdoor conditions.
WATCH-OUTWhole-home averages can hide difficult rooms.
Use this in context →Modulation
The ability of heating or cooling equipment to reduce output as demand falls.
WATCH-OUTMinimum output can matter as much as maximum output.
Use this in context →kW
A unit of power—the rate at which energy is produced or consumed.
WATCH-OUTPower is not the same as energy over time.
Use this in context →kWh
A unit of energy used for billing; one kilowatt used for one hour equals one kWh.
WATCH-OUTDo not confuse tariff p/kWh with the appliance kW rating.
Use this in context →Standing charge
A daily tariff charge that applies independently of how much energy is used.
WATCH-OUTInclude every day of the comparison period.
Use this in context →Time-of-use tariff
A tariff with different unit prices at different times.
WATCH-OUTCheap windows can come with higher rates elsewhere.
Use this in context →Exit fee
A charge that may apply when leaving a fixed contract before its end.
WATCH-OUTCheck exemptions and the exact contract wording.
Use this in context →Demand
The amount of power required at a particular time.
WATCH-OUTPeak demand and annual consumption answer different questions.
Use this in context →kWp
The rated peak output of a solar-PV array under standard test conditions.
WATCH-OUTReal generation varies with design, location, shade and weather.
Use this in context →Self-consumption
The share of solar generation used in the home rather than exported.
WATCH-OUTDo not add export value to energy already counted as used at home.
Use this in context →Export tariff
A payment arrangement for eligible electricity exported to the grid.
WATCH-OUTEligibility, metering and rates need separate verification.
Use this in context →Usable capacity
The portion of a battery’s stored energy intended to be available for use.
WATCH-OUTNominal and usable battery capacities may differ.
Use this in context →Tethered charger
A home EV charger with a permanently attached cable.
WATCH-OUTCheck connector, cable reach and parking position.
Use this in context →Load balancing
Control that adjusts charging or other demand to avoid overloading an electrical supply.
WATCH-OUTConfirm the hardware, sensing and installer design.
Use this in context →FTTP
Full fibre where the fibre connection reaches the premises.
WATCH-OUTAvailability and installation route remain address-specific.
Use this in context →Download speed
The rate at which data travels from the internet to the user.
WATCH-OUTAdvertised, estimated, guaranteed and measured speeds are different claims.
Use this in context →Latency
The delay in sending data and receiving a response, commonly measured in milliseconds.
WATCH-OUTHigh speed does not automatically mean low latency.
Use this in context →Mesh Wi-Fi
Multiple coordinated access points intended to extend wireless coverage.
WATCH-OUTIt cannot repair a poor incoming line service.
Use this in context →Excess
The amount a policyholder pays toward an accepted claim before insurer payment.
WATCH-OUTAdd compulsory and voluntary excesses for the relevant claim type.
Use this in context →Rebuild cost
The estimated cost of rebuilding the home, which is different from its market value.
WATCH-OUTUse an appropriate estimate and keep property details current.
Use this in context →Single-item limit
The maximum cover for one individual possession unless separately specified.
WATCH-OUTHigh-value items may need to be listed.
Use this in context →Trace and access
Cover that may help with locating and reaching the source of certain damage, subject to policy terms.
WATCH-OUTIt is not the same as cover for repairing the cause.
Use this in context →COMPARE CLEARLY
Four questions for any technical claim.
What exactly is being measured?
Under which test or contract conditions?
Is it output, input, capacity or consumption?
Can the figure be traced to a dated source?