Amid icebreakers, sponsor booths, and roundtables, attendees listened to five primary speakers who each addressed a specific aspect of women in the business world.

Ductwork is a mandatory comfort delivery system. In fact, the only thing optional about it is whether or not HVAC contractors make their own fittings and duct runs.

These actions have increased the prices of sheet metal and aluminum, among other items, and they seem to be having a trickle-down effect for commercial HVACR contractors.

Although ductwork doesn’t require quite as much maintenance as other HVAC equipment does, there are steps to be taken to ensure its longevity, safety, and efficient operation.

According to the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute’s (AHRI’s) historical data, the year of 2005 marked the height of the past 20 years (since 1998) for combined air conditioning and heat pump shipments.

Trends in home-performance contracting are shifting, and changed market behaviors are having an effect on comfort demand, energy efficiency, and HVAC contractors’ bottom lines.

Where DeLeo works, pushing the envelope of HVAC contracting is the way of business. He is currently working with a group of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and construction employees in an effort to advance the home services division of the company.

With trends in home-performance contracting shifting to performance as opposed to simply higher-efficiency equipment, contractors are left with the challenge of breaking the hodgepodge cycle of heating and cooling.

While driving into work after rejoining The NEWS team, I was formulating story ideas when suddenly I noticed an HVAC truck in front of me — basically white with simple information. I snapped a photo and continued driving to the office. (Please don’t send me letters about distracted driving; I was stopped at a light.)