According to a recent AHR Expo survey sent to more than 1,000 HVACR manufacturers worldwide, 70 percent of the respondents expect the economy to be better in 2013 than in 2012. In fact, 15 percent of the manufacturers expect a “much better year.”

Most HVAC contractors selling, installing, and maintaining furnaces are hopeful that this winter will be a lot cooler than last year’s. However, as meteorologists forecast dipping seasonal temperatures, energy experts are projecting rising costs.

Weakened demand for HVAC services in the United States during the recession intensified price-based competition and put pressure on profit margins. According to a new industry report from IBISWorld, the HVAC industry is forecast to return to growth this year and continue to grow for the next five years.

Upon occasion, I have been wrong about things, and when that occurs, I am quick to point out what that really means: I thought I was wrong about something but actually turned out to be right.

The Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) arrived at the Disney Resorts in Orlando recently for some networking, education, and fun. The high-energy, four-day convention began with a look back at the last 12 months for the MCAA and all it has accomplished.

Many commercial HVAC equipment manufacturers are expecting to see modest growth this year, although the data so far are not encouraging. The good news is that many economists expect the U.S. economy to continue to expand moderately in the months ahead, and that should result in modest gains in construction spending.

At the 2012 Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) annual conference, attendees had the opportunity to hear top executives from five major industry manufacturers discuss some of the hottest topics in HVAC. Some of the topics included regional standards, dry-charged unit sales, the R-22 price spike, and more.

America’s economy will continue its recovery this year and next as it adds nearly 5 million jobs and unemployment falls below 8 percent, according to University of Michigan economists.