With the price of photovoltaic (PV) panels falling rapidly, utilizing solar energy has suddenly become a cost-effective choice for many large retailers, who are now embracing the technology with open arms.

While Nest continues to grow in popularity, contractors across the nation are discovering ways to benefit from that success by becoming certified Nest installers, adding a new breed of tech-savvy clientele to their customer base.

Over two days, attendees participated in panel discussions, attended presentations, and visited roughly 125 different congressional offices to advocate for their respective organizations and industry.

Some worry the Ontario Building Code has gone too far and that the legislation may strip consumers of their options while decreasing profit margins for the HVAC contractors installing the equipment.

The more I speak with HVAC industry leaders at conferences and expos, the more I see how problematic the I-have-to-attend-a-four-year-college-to-be-successful mentality is for young learners and our industry. 

Though the bill has broad support in both the House and Senate, as well as from numerous organizations nationwide, it still faces many hurdles before it reaches President Obama’s desk. 

While some industry leaders and organizations are cooperating with the DOE to develop the standards, others claim fan and blower regulation is unnecessary, redundant, and could negatively impact the industry. 

It seems like Congress can’t agree on much these days — at least not in any timely fashion. And definitely not without a lot of whining, name calling, finger pointing, and foot stomping.

Representatives from many of the industry’s manufacturers recently congregated in Washington, D.C., for two days of networking, lobbying, and discussing industry issues at this year’s annual Air-Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) Public Policy Symposium.