Everyone’s heard the old saying that nothing is certain in life except death and taxes. But now the big uncertainty is what kind of taxes you could end up paying after you die. That’s because the estate tax was repealed for 2010 but is slated to come back in a big way in 2011.

If you’ve been living under a rock to avoid the hopeful candidates who were flooding your mailbox and answering machine with political ads, it’s now safe to come out. Take a deep breath and let it out - the midterm elections are over.

I just finished reporting on the winners of this year’s Best Instructor contest, so I’ve recently been reminded about the power and influence of good teachers. For the second year in a row, our overall winner was a high school teacher. So I planned a trip to visit Jeff Sweda, check out his school, and meet his students.

A new study published by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory makes recommendations for how to motivate homeowners to invest in energy-efficiency improvements. The report was created as a guide for government and nonprofit agencies. But the report’s findings are also applicable to HVAC contractors.

When Jeff Sweda, HVAC and plumbing instructor, walks the halls of the Hazleton Area Career Center, he seems to know everyone by name. He nods at many of the students and jokes around with many others. But Sweda also commands their respect. By the time they are seniors, many of them have figured out that Sweda is trying to teach them more than just a trade.

Preparation is the name of the game for Guadalupe Hernandez, an instructor at South Texas College in McAllen, Texas. “The best thing I’ve done is be well prepared for my instruction, not to walk in and start shooting off the hip,” he said.

Most of the contractors The NEWS has interacted with in recent months are still talking about the recession and how they’re handling its effects on their business. One way both small and large contractors are surviving the harsh economic climate is by branching out to offer new product lines and services to current customers.

At Joliet Junior College in Joliet, Ill., Joe Thomas encourages his students to ask questions. He works hard to build a relationship of trust with them so that they feel comfortable enough to talk to him and ask questions.

As new technologies are being developed and applied to the once less-than-glamorous water heater, consumers are becoming more aware of this product. Instead of being an afterthought, the water heater is gaining consumer recognition due to the efficiencies that can be achieved by the newer units.

Energy use - and how to cut back on it - is a hot topic these days. As more consumers seek ways to lower their utility bills and reduce their environmental footprint, contractors need to be prepared to offer them new energy solutions. One solution that is gaining popularity across the commercial market is ice thermal storage.