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It’s mid-February in central Wisconsin, and Dennis Borchardt, owner of Interstate Heating and Air Conditioning, is having an out-of-body experience.

Hi! My name is Maria Taylor, and I’m the newest addition to the staff at The NEWS. I’ll be working as associate editor until I get my own beat to cover (hot tip: Chances are it will be technology, so I’ll be the tech editor, which sounds awesome, geeky, and hip).

It’s no secret — there’s a shortage of skilled workers in the trades. Here at The NEWS, we’ve heard a lot about it, read a lot about it, and written a lot about it.

The following remarks were made regarding the editorial, “HVAC Contractors Can Warn Consumers About CO Risks in Equipment,” written by Ron Rajecki, refrigeration editor, The NEWS, published Feb. 5

Dominick Guarino, the chairman and CEO of National Comfort Institute has a pretty good saying that all contractors should follow: “If you don’t measure, you’re just guessing.”

I have been in the industry for all of my life — over 35 years. I started as a tech and have held almost every position as a service, installation, construction, and/or mechanical contractor. I can tell you that the customers dictate my opinion of tattoos and piercings. Over the years, I have asked many customers what they thought of these issues.

This is a pretty good time to be an HVAC contractor… at least compared to the recent past. After years of digging out of the Great Recession, homeowners are finally replacing rather than repairing their HVAC equipment.

We all know safety comes first for HVAC contractors. And while you may not be an expert when it comes to cars, you should know the risks posed by CO poisoning.

Like most Americans during this time of year, I’m looking for ways to be healthier and happier in 2018. So, I’ve been scouting different local gyms, shopping around for memberships, and trying to find something that fits my needs and budget.

There is a bit of a boogeyman out there for HVAC contractors. It is people selling equipment online to homeowners and the customers who are purchasing them.