If you’ve ever heard your HVAC installer say things like “we brazed it,” “pulled it under 500 microns,” or “it passed the vacuum test,” you’re not alone if it all sounded a little technical. The good news? Those steps are a very big deal for the long-term health, efficiency, and reliability of your heating and

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 —