For contractors looking for new business opportunities, offering solar energy might be the wave of the future.

As many residential and commercial contractors learned during the most recent recession, having a battle plan for surviving tough times is an absolute must.

In only a few years, the number of connected “smart” products for the home has increased exponentially as homeowners have shown more and more interest in being able to monitor and control their homes from nearly anywhere.

The home automation market is growing globally at an incredible pace. The prevalence of these products can be seen with a quick trip to the hardware store, where anyone can find an array of Wi-Fi-capable home automation products, including thermostats, door locks, lights, video cameras, and more.

What is a super tech? A super tech is one who eats, sleeps, and breathes HVAC. He may be a contractor, manager, or technician, but, above all, he is a perfectionist. And his greatest enemy is the callback.

In June, Microsoft Corp. and American Family Insurance announced the launch of a business accelerator for tech startup companies that are focused on home automation. The goal of the Microsoft Ventures Accelerator is to provide mentorship, resources, and workspace to startups.

Samsung Electronics America Inc. announced that it has agreed to acquire Quietside Corp., a leading distribution channel for HVAC products. Quietside has been the master distributor for Samsung HVAC products in the United States and Canada since 1997.

Many contractors are reporting issues with parts and equipment availability in their local regions this summer, attributing cooler seasonal temperatures and unpredictable consumer behavior as the likely causes.