There are certainly a lot of known results to worry about when it comes to the aftereffects of the BP oil spill in the Gulf - the effects of crude on marine life are sadly well known. What hasn’t hit the radar yet, it seems, is the effect the oil spill could have on air quality.
According to Larry Waters, service manager, trainer, and comfort advisor for A-1 Guaranteed Heating and Air Inc., 2009 “was our best year ever, breaking the $2.7 million mark.” This was chiefly due to the company making “a true green commitment,” Waters said.
It’s not just the major home mechanical systems that impact overall building efficiency. The accessories, like IAQ and controls products, can have a major impact on both comfort and efficiency - things that the contractors of 2010 are eager to address for their customers - due to their interaction with the main system.
HVAC contractors have already been accustomed to adding a new season to heating and cooling seasons. Allergy season often refers to spring’s pollen season, which can bring increased calls for IAQ-related service and sales. The 2010 pollen season has been getting publicity in many consumer publications because of its off-the-charts pollen counts.
Lately I have wondered if something is missing in the education some business owners receive. Let’s call it Accountability 101. The training should have started in childhood, the first time you made a mistake and Mom, Dad, or another authority figure asked if you did it.
Nelson Mechanical Design (NMD) has a long-standing reputation for being a green contractor, and it goes beyond the steps many HVAC contractors are taking now, well intentioned though they may be. That’s because NMD has been a trailblazer, pushed in part by the progressive customers on Martha’s Vineyard.
Don’t assume that because you know how to work with residential or even light commercial HVAC systems that you will know how to create a well-operating HVAC system for use in an indoor pool environment, or natatorium.
Some very strong and familiar trends are driving sales of zoning products. According to the manufacturers who responded to our request for information, the market is being driven by a combination of consumer needs, energy costs, and the expanding wireless technology scene. They also agreed that the biggest mistake HVAC contractors could make would be not to offer the systems.
As more people look for ways to be ecologically responsible, and maybe save a few dollars, it’s no surprise members of the business community are doing the same. HVACR contractors are not only recycling metal, paper, and plastic; they are using less water, applying green technologies to their buildings, and encouraging employees to follow the example.
The Unified Group’s 2010 Sales Forum provided contractors with a chance to share their experiences and learn more about topics ranging from company image and marketing, to networking and best practices for customer retention.