Residential Equipment & Services
Win1 + Win2 = Win3
When you first enter the Estes Heating and Air Conditioning building, you find yourself in a plush reception area equipped with a smiling receptionist...
2010 Residential Construction Outlook: A Split Decision
There's some good news for residential HVAC contractors: residential construction markets are poised for a partial recovery in 2010. Single-family construction and improvements to existing properties should finally turn higher, while multi-family work continues to slump....
Oil-to-Gas Boiler Conversions
Converting an oil-fired boiler to a water-based system is a major home comfort project. A job well-done provides more livable space, and eliminates higher heating bills in times of skyrocketing oil prices. ...
Staying Positive in a Negative World, Part 13
51. Remember, Bad News Outsells Good News. For nearly 75 years Pensacola, Florida dodged all hurricanes. Then, Erin struck. We were staying at my family’s condo on Pensacola Beach at the time. Everyone was evacuated from the island and for two days we couldn’t return. ...
IAQ for Homes
At Atlas Butler Heating & Cooling, we believe a key component of good residential IAQ is education. So, on all of our service calls, our technicians ask the homeowners a number of questions to see if indoor air quality products would be right for them. We educate ourselves about our customers' needs, then we educate them about how our products and services can help them....
Morris-Jenkins Charlotte, NC
Each month, Contracting Business picks a leading contractor and takes a look at the products, tools, and services that they've chosen to help make the company successful....
Extreme Dedication Trumps Extreme Makeover
The term has come to be applied to everything from golf balls to chewing gum. There are extreme sports, extreme cars, extreme pizza even extreme pumpkin...
The Philosophy of Comfort
The Greek philosopher Socrates said, The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing. As their multiple Quality Home Comfort Awards over the years...
Pioneer Spirit Meets Modern Comfort
Early American settlers lived off the land, building their homes from the materials supplied by the rich wilderness. However, it's highly unlikely that...
Solutions for Four Seasons
The rolling mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania make a beautiful setting for a home. The area is deep green in the summer, ablaze with color in the...
How to Stay Positive in a Negative World, Part 7
This is the seventh in a series of articles by Matt Michel about how to stay positive when we’re surrounded by bad news and negativity. If you missed the previous article, click here to read it. ...
Contractor/OEM Collaborations Leads to Improved Efficiency
Jerry Korte, president of Korte Does it All, a leading Carrier contractor in New Haven, IN, has faced many challenges over the course of 44 years of up...
Refreshing Your Brand and Why It Matters
As an HVACR contractor, you face major challenges in differentiating yourself from your competition and making yourself recognizable to your customers and prospects. Historically, HVAC contractors have done a poor job of communicating how they’re different from their competition. More importantly, they haven’t explained why their customers should care. That’s why the commitment of your organization--from the top down--to a strong brand strategy and brand message is crucial. ...
Unpacking the Stimulus
Residential HVAC contractors say energy tax credits in the Federal stimulus package will help energize system sales. There's also some relief for commercial HVAC contractors willing to dig for federal dollars....
From The Ground Up, Part 1: I'm Fired?
HVAC business owner, Gene Slade Jr. shares challenges, successes, failures, and fears that he encounters while starting his own HVAC service company in a down economy. ...
Staying Positive in a Negative World, part 3
This is the third in a series of articles by Matt Michel about how to stay positive when we’re surrounded by bad news and negativity. If you missed the previous article, click here to read it....
The Psychology of Buying
Our nature as consumers and human beings is that we will willingly buy something as long as it’s not being sold to us. ...
How's Your Personal Economy?
I watched the news the other night, a practice I try not to do often. The economic picture that was presented wasn’t too inspiring. As a matter of fact, I’d classify it as down right depressing. A few minutes later after I’d shaken off the hopelessness, I remembered an event that happened to me over 30 years ago that fashioned the way I process economic news. Perhaps it can benefit you....
87 Ways to Get More Out of Your Next Home Show, Part 8
This is the eighth of nine articles written by Matt Michel. This article can be read in its entirety on the Service Roundtable website. The article gives advice of what to do and what not to do at home shows. ...
Tech Update: A Time for Cooling
Amana Amana brand 18 SEER heating and cooling systems feature high energy efficiencies, low operating sound levels, and strong warranties. Backed by a...
How To Make a Sale Without Using High Pressure Tactics
Nobody likes high pressure sales people. Have you ever heard anyone say, “Gee, I feel like going out to the local car lot and trying to match wits with the sales force?” To quote Dennis Miller, “I think I would rather have Edward Scissorhands perform my tonsillectomy,” than to subject myself to such a process. ...
87 Ways To Get More Out of Your Next Home Show, Part 6
This is the sixth of nine articles written by Matt Michel. This article can be read in its entirety on the Service Roundtable website. The article gives advice of what to do and what not to do at home shows....
Tools of the Trade: Peaden Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing Panama City, FL
Founded in 1969, Peaden strives to provide customers with the finest value in home and business comfort for service, maintenance, and replacement systems....
Seller Beware: Put Your Financial House in Order
Are you planning to sell your business for top dollars in the near future? If so, your business must be in top financial shape. Attempting to sell a business without first putting your financial house in order will limit your chances of a truly successful sale....
Cast iron boilers are being replaced with more energy-efficient mod-cons
I was very busy this summer. The golf clubs didn't see much action, but the sales order pad did, and the trend was quite specific. Increasingly, cast...
