At the 2007 National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) convention, held earlier this year in Nashville, Tenn., one familiar topic surfaced at the annual meeting. It seems to pop up year after year: How do we deal with the “blow-and-go” contractors in the duct cleaning industry?

The NEWS wanted to know if thieves have been stealing or vandalizing air conditioning units. Readers responded with a resounding “Yes.”

Thirteen years ago, the HVACR program at the Upper Valley Joint Vocational School (UVJVS) in Piqua, Ohio, had only 12 students - and that’s junior and senior classes combined. It was in grave danger of being closed. Instructors Scott Naill and Tony Trapp have been instrumental in turning the program around.

With gasoline prices at record highs, experts say $4-a-gallon gasoline is just around the corner. “I think it’s going to happen,” said Phil Flynn, a senior market analyst at Alaron Trading in Chicago. “Unless things change dramatically, I think we’re going to see $4 a gallon.”

Even though copper prices have not necessarily risen to alarming heights, theft of air conditioners appears to be on the rise - again. As a result, it could be a long, hot summer - in more ways than one - for many homeowners and building owners across the United States. “It’s a problem,” assured Frank Spivey, owner of Spivey Construction, located in Indianapolis.

“It continues to amaze me how the world is accepting zoning in so many ways, yet the residential and light commercial world of HVAC continues to ignore the many advantages forced-air zoning provides,” said the president of ZoneFirst.

I've been informing a 19-year-old son of a friend of mine that the HVACR industry could use his services. He's now decided to attend Ranken Technical College, and I'm sure he'll need encouragement along the way. Maybe Hilary Clinton is right: It does take a village to raise an HVACR technician.

It all depends upon whom you talk to, but many industry insiders believe zoning is catching on with contractors across the country. At the same time, dealers who are building their businesses with zoning are enjoying the higher profit margins that can come along with it.

How do contractors get the business for installing zoning systems? Breaking it down, it’s rather simple. It’s a matter of show-and-tell.

It’s 10 p.m. Do you know where your technician is? In the case of Matthew Boden, the apprentice at Pioneer Heating and Air Conditioning, Twin Falls, Idaho, he may just be reviewing HVACR course material on his computer - until who-knows-when. It’s the best option for the single father of two small children.