March 1, 2010
Cover Story
Holding Down the Fort
Inspiring historical tales can be found everywhere, and they needn't always involve epic battles, treaties, or inventions. The business world is full...
Columns
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,...
Running Service Step Six: Repair vs. Replace
Editor's Note: Charlie Greer is in the midst of a year-long primer designed to teach you what to do when running service calls, and how to maximize each...
What's Wrong with the Younger Generation?
The above is a constant refrain heard today. You also often hear, The young kids of today just don't want to work. They have no work ethic! Or The younger...
Low Pricing: There’s No Virtue in Bankruptcy
Too many contractors set their service pricing by accident. For this reason one contractor out of five closes every year when the economy’s strong, let alone when it’s weak. Service pricing should be set at a level where you can pay your bills, pay yourself, pay your employees, provide training, invest in the growth of your company, and leave a little left over....
Articles
A Cool Breeze Sweeps Into Town
The AHR Expo is the first big HVACR show of the year, and for good reason. How can contractors and other HVACR professionals resist the chance to walk aisle after aisle of innovative products? Nothing like thousands of product ideas to make you feel like getting down to work, and forgetting what people say about the economy. ...
NATE Names Dave Pannier Interim President
North American Technician Excellence (NATE) has recruited former Trane Residential Systems President David R. Pannier to serve as interim president. ...
Focus on Your Future Event Scheduled for Major U.S. Cities
“Focus on Your Future,” a new event for residential HVAC contractors, is coming to three U.S. cities. ...
ACCA Announces Dates for Instructor Certification Training
The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), has announced new dates for its Educational Program for Instructor Certification (EPIC) training. ...
Communication Melts the Ice Between Contractor, Customers
Fry Heating/Coolng/Plumbing keeps customers warm during the hard winters in Sylvania, OH. They also keep customers confident that they'll always provide service, in any season. That's a double blessing for homeowners in uncertain economic times....
EVENTS
NADCA - National Air Duct Cleaners Association, Annual Meeting & Exposition, March 27-30, Tucson, AZ; nadc.com MCAA - Mechanical Contractors Association...
New OEM Test Facilities Verify System Performance and Efficiency
Two major HVACR industry equipment manufacturers have opened state-of-the-art equipment test facilities. ...
Treasury Secretary Geithner Visits Honeywell Automation
Roger Fradin, president/CEO of Honeywell Automation and Control Solutions, hosted U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner on Thursday, January 28, at the Honeywell Golden Valley, MN headquarters site. ...
Nordyne Website Helps Homeowners Get Cash 4 Comfort
Nordyne is providing homeowners with a central location for finding information on state appliance rebate programs: GetCash4Comfort.com. ...
Samsung/Coaire Distributorship Opens in Fort Worth
Just one week after 12 inches of snow blanketed the greater Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, the skies cleared, the sun climbed high, and the temperatures...
Welcome to Water World
Don't be afraid of the water. That's the message from Dave Yates, owner of F.W. Behler, York, PA, and John Barba, contractor training and trade program...
Refrigeration Service Today
On these pages, Contracting Business provides information on products, trends, and business management for today's commercial refrigeration contractor....
Refrigeration Briefs
Emerson Climate Technologies, a business of Emerson, in partnership with the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, recently hosted a visit by active NASA Astronaut Colonel Gregory Johnson. ...
A Toast to Niche Markets
With proper planning, training, and targeted marketing, niche markets — such as wine rooms and ice arenas — can become profitable sidelines....
Ten Tips for Commercial Chiller Maintenance
Chillers often represent a plant's single largest electric load. But factor in fouled tubes, leaking refrigerant, or myriad other factors, and operating...
Thinking Outside the Box in Real Time
Contractors are often under a great deal of pressure to complete jobs faster, and at a lower cost. One case in point was a call we received to repair...
Products
Residential: Ducted/Non-ducted Air Conditioning, Geothermal SystemsCommercial: Chillers, VRF systems, and Applied Equipment
RESIDENTIAL American Standard American Standard's Allegiance 20's two-stage cooling system includes AccuLink, which automatically communicates and coordinates...
COMFORTECH PRODUCT SHOWCASE AWARD
At HVAC Comfortech 2009, 11 products were recognized as Product Showcase Award winners. Judges took into consideration the ease with which HVAC contractors...
Smart Products: March 2010
Take your company to the next level with Contracting Business' Smart Products a section featuring the latest technical and business management tools from...
