If you’ve ever stood in front of your furnace and wondered why there are different efficiency ratings, you’re not alone. Most homeowners hear “80%” or “90%+” and assume it’s just a number on a sticker. In reality, that number has a lot to do with how your furnace is built, how much heat you actually

A poorly installed HVAC system can drain a homeowner’s wallet for years. One recent customer spent more than $3,000 replacing a failed compressor, added leak-stop products that didn’t solve the refrigerant loss, and was then quoted another $3,000 in repairs on a nine-year-old system. In the end, the system had to be replaced entirely —