This letter is in response to Kimberly Schwartz’s editorial “Don’t Let That Talent Slip Away,” Nov. 21.

Every time I walk through a supermarket I take a look at the refrigeration and freezer cases. I want to see how well they are holding the temperature they should be holding. But from time to time, I realize that aspect of refrigeration is but a small part of how important it is to keep cold things cold.

These comments are on how sales of HVAC equipment on the Internet affects the industry.

Regis Philbin retired. Who’s the next Regis? It really doesn’t matter. The bottom line is that this man’s experience, wisdom, and expertise go with him and the young buck they will likely replace him with has a lot to learn. Sadly, this replacement of the older generation with younger counterparts seems to be happening at a quicker rate than in the past.

These remarks concern how to start an HVACR distribution business.

A speaker who had my complete attention at the MSCA educational conference was business author Tim Sanders. Sanders said a future war for talented workers is brewing. When I heard him say that, I perked up because the first editorial I wrote for The NEWS a year and a half ago was about the coming labor shortage.

These comments all concern applicants disqualifying themselves by not following simple instructions.

Home performance contracting is taking the country by storm. Well, maybe not yet a thunderstorm, but in every meeting of HVAC contractors that I have attended in the last 18 months, at least some mention of measuring systems — testing in and testing out — has been on the agenda.

Comments on the Nest thermostat, which was designed by the creator of the iPod, and has been offered for presale through Best Buy and www.nest.com.

How does your business look now, compared to five years ago? What is the staff size? Work loads? Staff satisfaction? This may be an interesting year for The NEWS’ Best Contractor to Work For (BCTWF) contest.