None of us can possibly have any idea what this industry will look like or where it will be in 125 years, but you can take incremental steps to stay in front of the competition, get out ahead of changes to the marketplace, and decide which trends to follow.
We asked a few members of The NEWS’ Advisory Panel to highlight some of the tools they deem essential and to explain what makes them so important. This is what they had to say.
Crude oil, from which heating oil is refined, is set to average $34.60 per barrel in 2016, representing a steep drop from the $93.17-per-barrel average of 2014.
Many technicians have utilized certain products for decades, and manufacturers are tasked with giving techs quantifiable reasons to upgrade to their newest offerings.
This technology allows technicians to enhance their skills and abilities while, at the same time, granting customers an easier understanding of the work being done inside their homes or commercial spaces.
The average price for a gallon of gas in 2012 was $3.68, per the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Prices averaged $2.43 in 2015 and are expected to maintain similar or lower prices throughout 2016 and into 2017.
Dozens of major manufacturers are now offering a variety of training options ranging from short online offerings to extensive on-location training in hopes of making ductless HVAC a worthwhile investment for consumers and contractors.
According to Navigant Research, annual revenue from energy-efficient HVAC systems will grow from $17.2 billion in 2013 to $33.2 billion by 2020. With ductless systems set to account for nearly 30 percent of all North American energy-efficient HVAC system revenue by 2020, the market for both single- and multi-zone ductless systems is booming.
Simply ensuring techs attend these industry events isn’t enough. It is also vitally important to make sure they are active participants in whatever discussions, activities, or thought-provoking exercises are taking place once they arrive.
Through the contest, student teams currently enrolled in two- and four-year colleges, universities, trade/tech schools, and apprenticeship programs tested their — and Fluke Connect software’s — skills, innovation, and business applications.