Amidst all the talk about refrigerants such as HCs, HFOs, and CO2, the vast majority of contractors are still working on HFC and HCFC systems. With that in mind, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, contractor Brian Baker of Custom Vac Ltd., offers some perspectives on the familiar refrigerants of R-410A and R-22.
The latest regulatory merry-go-round with the Department of Energy (DOE) could be considered a prime example of what is wrong with Washington. It’s not the conservatives, the progressives, the gridlock in Congress, or the lack of bi-partisanship. It is the endless expansion of regulatory agencies.
A minor change in wording by our bureaucratic friends at the DOE means manufacturers, distributors, and dealers in specific regions must start making supply and inventory decisions now.
When you arrive home after your 12-hour work day, take a moment with your young child or grandchild. While bouncing that child on your lap, explain to them the power of hard work and the American dream. Tell them if they work hard, are innovative, and have the intestinal fortitude to take a risk they could one day be the owner of a multimillion dollar business that helps employ hundreds of grateful people. I would wait until the child is older to explain that if they want to pass that business on to the next generation, the United States government will grab 55 percent of the pie.
Members of Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) strongly believe Congress should repeal the current estate tax. To get their message across, more than 80 HARDI members used their annual Fly-In event to conduct nearly 200 meetings with congressional leaders, sharing that an increase in the estate tax could jeopardize the future of their businesses. What were the results?
Since January 2011, there has been a subtle shift in Washington, D.C., that has had a big impact on the HVAC industry. The slowdown in legislation has led to increased activity elsewhere. Since the 2010 elections, there has been a flurry of activity at federal departments, agencies, boards, and commissions.
