Mike Weil
Home Star: Should It Stay or Go?
Who would’ve ever thought that the title of a British punk band's 1970s anthem could describe a hot topic fomenting in the HVAC Industry? When the Clash wrote, Should I Stay or Should I Go, their intent was to highlight a rocky personal relationship. Apparently, in the HVAC world, the Home Star legislation is rocking the industry with regard to its wording, implementation, and impact on the HVAC contractor ...
It's Hot and Crazy Out There
What a crazy summer. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm exhausted. Yeah, right — like I know what it's like to be working 18-hour days crawling aound in hot attics and dealing with irate customers who don't understand why their broken air conditioners aren't at the top of your repair list....
So What's a Symposium, Anyway?
It's a heady word, this word "symposium" is. Three syllables and as a good friend of mine is fond of saying, "high and mighty sounding." Well that may be, but the word has its basis in the darkest depths of antiquity. For those who know me, you know this is going to lead to a beer reference, and you're absolutely right. ...
Home Star: Welcome to Reality 101
Contractors can all contribute to making the Homestar Act into a real, work¬ing law that benefits all its stakeholders ...
Earth Day As An Every Day Event
It was 40 years ago that environmentalism actually got its own day dedicated to it. Earth Day is a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment. It was founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in held on April 22, 1970, and is celebrated in 175 countries every year. ...
Lessons from History
When I was growing up, in the 1960s and 1970s, there was a lot of social upheaval and change contorting the American landscape. One of the cornerstones of this period was the manned space program — the crowning jewel was landing a man on the moon and bringing him back home safely. Yet, there was a huge backlash because of the billions of dollars spent by NASA. Many people thought this was wasteful and irresponsible because those dollars would be better spent on societal improvements....
Starting In the Plus Column
In January 2010, the HVACR Industry gathered in the sunny climes of Orlando, FL for this year's edition of the International Air-Conditioning, Heating,...
It's All About Jobs
Here we go again. More ink is spent on the topic of climate change than on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The initial spillage of copy was mostly in...
What Will You Do to Gain an Edge?
There's a lot of change afoot. But the fact is, there's always a lot of change afoot. From technology to legislation, to environmental consciousness,...
Happy New Year No, Really!
The close of 2009 is upon us and, perhaps, we can all take a moment to sigh with relief. It was, afterall, a turbulent time — professionally, economically, and socially. ...
Get Ready for the Perfect Storm
In October of 1991, a storm stronger than any in recorded history hit the Atlantic coast off Gloucester, MA. It became known as the Perfect Storm so called...
The Economy: It's All Good, Right?
It's almost official. Apparently our very good friends among the economic thought leadership of the United States have declared that the recession is...
Time for Clear Thinking
Sometimes, as a trade magazine editor focused on the comfort conditioning industry, I get asked for advice by people who are in the market for a new furnace...
Discomfort as a Lifestyle?
Everybody is talking about it the state of the economy, the toughness of the market, the Obama stimulus plan, and its billions of Federal dollars that...
Is the Stimulus Package Working?
Show me the money. That's what Cuba Gooding Jr. said to Tom Cruise in the film, Jerry McGuire, as Cruise's character negotiated to retain his job. It...
Happy Birthday!
June, 1944. That was the month that marked the beginning of the end to the Second World War. It was in June that the Allies began Operations Neptune and...
Social Networking: Is It For You?
Trust me, social networking didn't start in the business world. Just ask your kids. Resentment still runs high that adults are now running amuck on, among...
Downsizing Training Budgets?
It's in the newspapers and trade journals every day sales are down, markets are bad. Everyone is talking about how right-sizing is important to the survival...
The Giants Among Us
In December 2008, we began an editorial series entitled, Green Giants: Leaders in Environmental Stewardship. By way of background, this is a three-part...
Welcome to 2009. Start Your Engines
It's 2009 and time to start revving those engines. In this new year we're faced with many tough issues that range from economics to politics, and includes...
The First Word: Weathering the Storm: You Don’t Have to be Alone
As I write this column, it’s a bleak day here in Cleveland: gusting winds howl around darkened streets, rain and sleet pound the windows, and a dismally gray Erie rollercoasters over the breakwall, throwing gray-white spray onto the shore. Can you spell g-l-o-o-m? ...
The Last Word: It's CO Season Are You Ready?
As the leaves change colors and crisp fall nights descend upon us, the spectre of carbon monoxide (CO) hangs over homes all across the country. The familiar smell of dust burning off heat exchangers is a grim reminder that we’ll soon see more news stories about families severely injured or killed by this silent killer....
Its Only Natural Or Is It?
Mom used to say things like, s only natural that oil and water dont mix, or Common sense tells us that running with a Popsicle in your mouth isnt smart,...
Where Have All the Technicians Gone?
It’s been over a year since I’ve gotten up on my technician shortage soapbox. In that time, there certainly has been a lot of ink spilled in the pages of this magazine and others in the industry on the topic. ...
Leaving Footprints in the Sand
Thirty-nine years ago this month, an Ohio man stepped onto the surface of the moon and uttered these words, “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” At the moment he uttered that famous phrase, it was broadcast to 450 million listeners worldwide....
