Summer is my favorite season. I love summer BBQ’s, swimming, boating, and yes, even the summer heat. Well, I love it up to a point. I love knowing if I’m enjoying the warmth outside and I get overheated that I can go inside and be comfortable in my air conditioning. Well, Michigan’s experiencing a hot streak right now. There was a heat advisory yesterday, we have one in effect today, and there’s no relief in sight, with temperatures predicted to hit 95°F on Saturday. As I said, I love summer. One thing I don’t love is seasonal allergies. With the temperature spike this week, my allergies have made me miserable these past few days. Itchy eyes, a runny nose, and incessant sneezing — you get my drift. According to my trusty weather app, outdoor mold spores are high in my area — joy. Now, I know I’m not the only one suffering. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, more than 50 million Americans suffer allergies each year. Fifty million. That’s a lot. And it’s also a perfect way for HVAC contractors to increase their profit margins simply by asking a few questions in each home they visit. Whether it’s during an installation or service/repair visit, have your technicians ask questions of the homeowner. Ask if anyone in the home suffers allergies. It’s a perfect opportunity to sell indoor air quality (IAQ) products like whole-home ventilation systems, air purifiers, humidifiers, or even dehumidifiers. It opens the door to a discussion about the benefits such products have on the home environment. I’ve even heard of one contractor who installed the product and left it in the home for a week or two at no cost, just to give the customer a taste of what they are missing. The tactic met with fantastic results. How are you trying to increase your profits this year? Think about adding more IAQ offerings to your product line. Just some food for thought as I make my way to the doctor for my prescription of Flonase.