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In the process of trying to help a future HVACR tech, I recently discovered that there is a lack of available scholarships for students seeking to attend, or who are attending, HVACR vocational schools. So, where are this industry’s scholarships for students enrolled at vocational schools? Let me know.

A big part of the attraction for this 60th Annual AHR Expo is the city. It is a show in itself. But if you’ve never been to NYC, let me reassure you - it is a fantastic city. New York, the largest city in the United States, has a little bit of everything for everybody. And this week, it has a lot for people with an interest in all things HVAC.

Well, one New Year’s resolution for 2008 is clear cut for contractors: to recover, recycle, and reclaim more R-22. It has been a recurring call for many years, but it recently took on a greater sense of urgency because of a recent study from DuPont Refrigerants.

It appears that the further up the chain one goes, the more options exist for selling directly to a variety of buyers. Contractors, who reside nearer the bottom of the chain, only have one buyer. Contractors don’t sell product back to wholesalers, distributors, or manufacturers. They only sell one step down the chain - to end users.

As 2008 unfolds, a number of challenges face the HVAC trade. Some are obvious and some are subtle. And some are just plain invisible. The latter is what I am interested in. How many times have you heard the phrase, “I was blindsided by …”?

The last time you read this page, you might have been laughing because I don’t know how to count to 10. I had only listed four of 10 simple things to do to grow your business. What better way to start the New Year than by picking up where we left off. Here are a few more simple things you can do.

The comeback of the high school technical courses. SEER standards and real conditions.

Already we have come to the close of another year. Is it just me or do the years seem to go by quicker for all of you as well? It has been a year with mixed results.

The next 10 things you read are not guaranteed to increase your sales, but I’ve met people who swore to me that all of them will work - if you execute effectively. Maybe they will work for you. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!

Don’t be surprised if your customers inquire about ground source heat pumps. Based on a recent conversation at the Skaer family’s Thanksgiving dinner, it appears the general public is becoming more and more educated concerning air source heat pumps and geothermal heat pumps.