I was talking to a contractor who'd like to attend an out-of-town seminar or training program, but he's concerned that too many things could go wrong in his absence. He's not alone in that thinking. A lot of contractors share that fear.
Sean Smith was wrapping up a no heat call. He had just replaced the thermocouple and decided to check for spillage from the draft diverter - a sure sign that the draft from combustion products was not going up the chimney, its intended path. It was a routine checklist item. Smith determined that the chimney was completely blocked.
A contractor may choose to switch when a distributor sells or merges his or her business, or makes changes with key personnel. The News asked its panel of Contractor Consultants if there is any way to cushion the blow of a business breakup.
An online poll conducted by The Henry Ford historical institution and America Online (AOL) has revealed that the most influential innovation in the past 75 years is residential air conditioning. More than 2.5 million votes were cast during the two-week survey in early October.
It was billed as the Air Conditioning Contractors of America's (ACCA's) Commercial Contracting Roundtable: "Opportunities Unlimited for Commercial Contractors." A total of 131 contractors and manufacturers gathered at Baltimore's Sheraton Inner Harbor hotel for two days of workshops and discussions.
I was glad to see so many HVACR students at the ABCO Refrigeration trade show this year. In the future I would like to see all trade shows in this industry open up to the general media and general public.
Not only does the price of raw materials have an impact on the cost of HVAC equipment, but the increasing cost of fuel and restrictions on the number of hours that over-the-road drivers can work continuously may also affect the marketplace.
The News went to some leading HVAC manufacturers to find out how they are coping with rising steel costs, how they are preparing their dealers and customers for price increases, and how the market has reacted to increased costs for raw materials and transportation.