GLOSSARY
The operator's glossary.
Plain-English definitions of the terms owner-operators of 5–30-truck HVAC contractors actually run into. Free reference, no signup.
Gross margin
Revenue minus direct job cost (parts, loaded labor, overhead allocation), expressed as a percentage of the quote — the number to check before an estimate goes out.
Loaded labor rate
A technician's fully-burdened cost per hour — wage plus taxes, benefits, and truck/tool overhead — not the raw wage. The right number for job costing.
Break-even price
The quote at which a job neither makes nor loses money. Pricing below it means paying the customer to do the work.
Dispatch
Assigning and scheduling technicians to jobs. Efficient dispatch clusters work geographically to cut windshield time.
Speed to lead
Time from an inbound call/form to first contact. In home services, minutes decide whether the customer books you or the next shop.
Maintenance agreement
A recurring service plan (seasonal tune-ups) that smooths revenue and builds a callable customer base — a core retention asset.
Truck stock / par level
The inventory a truck should carry; par level is the reorder threshold. Below-par flags prevent a second trip for a common part.
Callback
A return visit to fix an incomplete or failed repair. Callback rate is a key crew-quality metric that erodes margin.
A2L refrigerant
The class of lower-GWP refrigerants (e.g. R-454B) phased in under EPA rules; handling and equipment requirements differ from legacy refrigerants.
EPA 608
Federal certification required to handle refrigerants. Compliance references are informational; authoritative logs live with the licensed shop.
Effective hourly rate
Gross profit on a job divided by labor hours — a fast reality check on whether a job is worth the truck roll.
Estimate / quote
A priced proposal for work. Getting a reviewed, margin-checked estimate out fast is often what wins the job.
TCPA compliance
Rules governing automated customer texts/calls — messages must identify the company and offer one-tap opt-out (STOP).
Permit / AHJ
The Authority Having Jurisdiction issues permits; permit-status tools point to the board and never substitute for it.
Know the terms? Run the system.
HVAC OS turns this vocabulary into a working operating layer for owner-operators of 5–30-truck HVAC contractors.