If you play golf as poorly as I do, you stay away from golf tournaments. No need to embarrass myself. As the saying goes, “Momma did not raise no fool.”

There are exceptions to this unwritten golf rule, especially when it comes time for the Jedd Paup Memorial Golf Tournament, being held this year on September 24 in York, Pa. Proceeds from the event go into the Jedd Paup Memorial Scholarship Fund, which is spearheaded by Greg Lauer of Spangler and Boyer Mechanical Inc., York, Pa. The fund awards scholarships to York, Pa., county residents who attend an HVACR or plumbing program at any one of the three nearby trade schools: Pennsylvania School of Technology, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, and YTI Career Institute.

The fund is named after the project manager at Spangler and Boyer Mechanical, who tragically passed away at age 49 in June 2004. According to Lauer, Paup would go out of his way to help “the young ones” – and that would include techs from other companies “if they were in a jam.”

“Our goal is to provide as many scholarships as possible to students entering into HVAC/ plumbing courses,” said Lauer. “The heating and air conditioning trade is experiencing a severe decline of technicians and what does this mean to you? Higher service rates and longer waits for service. We are trying to help curb this problem by making these scholarships available to York County residents seeking secondary education at three possible schools in Pennsylvania.”

Thinking of Paup, Lauer added, “Jedd really enjoyed two things: working in the field and golf. So we all wanted to honor his memory with something fitting. We are trying to start the seeds for future techs, something Jedd would appreciate.”

Lauer is looking to have another large turnout, as over 100 local contractors plus wholesale and distributor representatives participated in each of the previous outings. Because of the local support, enough money was raised to award six $1,000 student scholarships in 2005 and seven $1,000 scholarships in 2006.

In addition to participants, organizers are looking for donations, which are tax deductible.

“We are looking for businesses to donate gift cards, merchandise, logoed merchandise [shirts, hats, jackets, etc.] or monetary donations from their establishments for our event,” noted Lauer. “The merchandise will be used as door prizes. All monetary donations go directly into the scholarships.”

To register for, or contribute to, the 2008 golf outing, call 717-792-8854. In this case, it’s OK to embarrass oneself on the golf course for one day, Sept. 24.

In his July 7 commentary, Time’s columnist Joe Klein encouraged Americans to “Kill your air conditioner. Solving the energy crisis requires sacrifice. For the good of the country, we should be sweating.”

Huh?

Maybe Klein was making a few tongue-in-cheek suggestions, but I don’t think so. At least he did admit having a bias in that he loves warm weather, “even when it slouches toward humidity.” He added, “I detest the harsh, slightly metallic quality of the air forced through even the fanciest AC systems. The only air conditioner I own sits, unused, in my car; my home is happier unrefrigerated.”

Hopefully most Americans are not like Klein in that they’d rather sweat than use air conditioning. If they are, then this industry is in deep, deep trouble.

Admittedly, Klein does make a valid point concerning conserving. He quotes Lee Schipper of the University of California-Berkley, who said Americans can get a savings of 4 percent for every degree warmer one pushes the thermostat. “If you’re set at 70˚F now and move it to 78˚ – a comfortable, if slightly chilly number to my mind – you save 20 percent of the cost and energy of your air conditioning bill,” wrote Klein.

Not sure if this suggestion should be backed by this industry or not.

The writer went further, concluding, “I’d like to see both [presidential] candidates call for an immediate 5˚ thermostat adjustment, just to get the conservation ball rolling — and because it would be a personal virtue for each candidate to ask it of us.”

If he can get that accomplished, I’m going to pull him in to help get an HVACR-related TV program on the air.

Let’s all write Arik Hesseldahl, a writer for BusinessWeek.com, and inform him how much the HVACR industry needs employees. We all have to get the attention of the national and local press in order to spread the word of this industry’s labor needs.

I am not picking on Mr. Hesseldahl. It’s just that the headline for his article, which jumped out at me at yahoo.com, pulled me in to find out more. The headline? “Technology: It’s Where the Jobs Are.”

Yep, the guy was pushing high school and college graduates to study computer science or engineering — and noted the importance of moving to a big city. I guess it’s another case of technology being more “sexy” than HVACR…no?

According to Hesseldahl’s article, a new study from AeA, a group formerly known as the American Electronics Association, reports that jobs in the technology industry are growing at a healthy clip, especially in large cities. The AeA’s findings jibe with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics say on the subject of technology jobs: More than 850,000 IT jobs will be added during the 10-year period ending at 2016, which would be a rise of 24 percent. Add all the jobs that will replace retiring workers, and the total increase could be a tidy 1.6 million, wrote Hesseldahl. Bottom line: That means one job in every 19 created over the course of the next decade will be in technology, he said.

In other words, they need workers and this industry needs workers. Guess who will win if we do not paint a solid picture for high school graduates and college students in the national and local media?

Here is something else to think about. According to Hesseldahl’s research, the highest paid salaries are in the Silicon Valley, where the average computer tech worker is paid a reported $144,000 a year. According to Hesseldahl, that’s nearly double the $80,000 national average for tech jobs.

What does this all mean? Answer: There’s still a labor shortage in computer tech — just as there is in HVACR. However, if you took Economics 101, you know the need for workers usually translates into good news for paychecks. Already, computer tech wages are 87 percent higher, on average, than in the rest of the private-sector job market.

How can or should the HVACR industry counterattack? We have to if this industry is going to thrive. We have to get the word out regarding this industry’s employment needs both nationally and locally.

Floods in the Midwest. Fires in California. Is this Global Warming or what?

OK, we’ll save that discussion for another day. For now, I’d like to know if any HVACR contracting businesses are being affected by the flooding in Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, and elsewhere — and the same due to the fires in Southern California. Please e-mail me directly (markskaer@achrnews.com) or post a comment below.

Intensive flooding has forced thousands to be evacuated from their homes and businesses in a number of cities and towns in Iowa and along the Mississippi River in Illinois and Missouri. Living near St. Louis, Mo., I see where the Mississippi River is inching ever-so-close to the base of the Arch, but has not caused any damage — yet — to the city. It’s not been as fortunate in cities like Des Moines, Iowa.

And, the bad news keeps coming.

Floods: Severe thunderstorms rattled northern Missouri early Thursday (6/26) morning, threatening to add even more rain to the swollen Mississippi River and complicate efforts to keep the river from engulfing Des Moines. Even before the latest storms, crews had long labored to strengthen the earthen levee at Winfield, Mo., from dirt slides and spots where water soaks up through the sandy soil. The 2 1/2-mile-long levee about 45 miles northwest of St. Louis is all that’s protecting 100 houses, a city park, several businesses, and 3,000 acres of agricultural land in east Winfield.

Forecasts showed the Mississippi will crest at Winfield at 37.5 feet on Friday (6/27), more than 11 feet above flood stage. But thunderstorms are forecast over the coming days upstream in Iowa, Minnesota, and Illinois.

At Clarksville, Mo., northwest of St. Louis, a weakened sandbag wall protecting the city’s historic downtown was reinforced and was holding ahead of tomorrow’s (6/27) predicted crest of 36.9 feet. Downstream in Grafton, Ill., the crest forecast for Saturday evening (6/28) was 31 feet, 13 feet above flood stage.

I attended a wedding in Iowa last weekend and saw some of the devastation along the way. It made me wonder if this is causing pain for contractors in the area. Please let me know.

Fires: In California, fire is causing damage. According to an Associated Press report out of Berkley, Calif., hundreds of firefighters were working Thursday (6/26) to protect the scenic community of Big Sur from a lightning-sparked wildfire that inched closer to historic structures after burning 16 homes and threatening another 500 houses. The blaze in the Los Padres National Forest was reported to be only 3 percent contained and had burned nearly 37 square miles near the coast about a mile south of Big Sur.

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service predicted more dry lightning toward the end of the week, although forecasters did not expect as severe an electrical storm as occurred last weekend, when nearly 8,000 lightning strikes sparked about 800 fires across Northern California.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger visited Monterey County to assess the damage and said he has called in the National Guard to help fight the fires.

“The fact is that when you have that many fires — and there are still 700 fires left all over the state of California — you get stretched thin with the resources,” Schwarzenegger told AP.

Looking to help: The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), in coordination with the ACCA Disaster Relief Committee, wants to do all it can to help its members in these affected areas. If you are an ACCA member reading this and are aware of any other ACCA member contractor in your area impacted by this situation, after you e-mail me (markskaer@achrnews.com), please contact Rosemary Graeme (Rosemary.Graeme@acca.org).

As ACCA’s Ken Holland noted in his weekly e-newsletter, ACCA Insider: “Some of our ACCA members who have experienced natural disasters advise us that advanced preparedness planning was essential to helping them get their businesses back up and running as soon as possible. To assist our members who wish to establish advance preparedness planning for their companies, please review the Preparedness Checklist at www.acca.org/disaster/.”

Also available is a copy of the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) provided by Disaster Relief Committee member Ken Bodwell. This plan can be used as an example and adapted for use by each company.

“Recent serious weather events urge us all to maintain a heightened sense of preparedness to have the best possible outcome should a disaster strike,” stated ACCA’s Holland.

Contributions to the ACCA Disaster Relief Fund can be made by e-mailing Graeme.

Skills USA National Conference and competition is this week in Kansas City. Based on the information I have, the student to beat in the HVACR division is Andrew Klein.

OK, I guess I’m putting a lot of pressure on this 18-year-old kid from Muskegon, Mich. (Hopefully this does not jinx him, whereby he finishes dead last, a la Big Brown at Belmont.)

Klein, a recent graduate of Ravenna High School, received a nice write-up recently in the local Muskegon Chronicle newspaper. Klein is the statewide representative at this week’s competition. And, you can bet the Muskegon Area Career Tech Center student will do his best to take home the gold. He beat out 20 other competitors at the state level to take the top prize.

Not very often are HVACR students featured in any newspaper, but there was Klein’s picture, splashed on page 1 of the Local section. And, it was all good news.

As a result of his performance at state competitions this year and last, Klein said he was offered $10,000 scholarships from the University of Northwestern Ohio and a Connecticut institute. He said he chose to accept the offer from Northwestern Ohio to pursue his associate’s degree because his credits will transfer to Ferris State University, which he may attend for a bachelor’s degree.

Depending on his performance at nationals this week, Klein could win a full-ride scholarship. Scholarships will range from $25,000 to the first-place finisher to $6,000 for 10th place.

“He’s got a bright future ahead of him working in this industry,” instructor Tom Skipper told the Muskegon paper. “People in this industry make very good money. And there’s a demand for them, not only locally but across the country. Good service techs are hard to come by.”

It’s also good to see that Klein has a full-time job working for Hurst Mechanical this summer, making a reported $12 an hour. Let’s say it out loud: That sure beats the long hours working for minimum wage that many of his friends will be doing this summer.

At this point in his young life, Klein said he feels his future is “pretty well set” in a career he enjoys because of the problem-solving involved, the variety, and the chance to work indoors and outdoors.

“Everybody needs heating and cooling,” he said. “It’s a job that's not going to Mexico or anywhere else.”

Hmmmm…maybe he should be the technician we get on camera to spread the word regarding a career in HVACR. Think?

John McCain or Barrack Obama? Those are the choices. Who are you voting for in the next presidential election and why?

Is one candidate better for the HVACR industry than the other? Or, is your decision based solely on a different issue or issues?

Just as it will be interesting to see how this economy shakes down over the summer months and beyond, it will be interesting to see and hear how these two candidates plan to tackle the current economic conditions, which may get worse before it gets better. My boss may call that being negative, but I see it as being a realist.

Look at the facts. The jobless rate continues to soar. In fact, the unemployment rate shot skyward to 5.5 percent, the biggest leap in 22 years. Meanwhile, over the weekend, we experienced an unprecedented jump in oil prices. Crude oil prices leaped up $10.75 a barrel, sending the stock markets tumbling. The Dow Jones plunged 394.64 points, or 3.13 percent, its sharpest decline since Feb. 27 last year. And, the U.S. dollar continues to be sliding in the world market.

Looking at the very latest statistics from the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), shipments of central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps dropped 6 percent in April 2008 from the same month a year ago. For the year-to-date, combined shipments totaled 1.8 million, a 7 percent drop compared with the same period in 2007. Meanwhile, heat pump shipments for April totaled 149,287, down 6 percent from the same month a year ago. For year-to-date, heat pump shipments are down 5 percent compared with the same period last year.

Obama says it is time for a change, but can a U.S. president swiftly change the economic train rolling down the track? Because a Republican is in office, does this mean one votes for the other side in 2008? What are McCain’s valid points?

Let’s not be shy. A lot is on the line here. Post your comments and thoughts accordingly.

I received an e-mail recently from Warren Lupson, director of education for AHRI.

It seems applications for the Clifford H. “Ted” Rees, Jr. Scholarship Foundation are low. For those not familiar, this foundation was established to assist with the recruitment and competency of future HVACR technicians by awarding scholarships to students who are enrolled in an institutionally accredited school.

To date, the Rees Scholarship Foundation has awarded nearly $52,000 to 26 students between 2003 and 2007. Each year, prior to the spring and fall academic semesters, the foundation awards 10 scholarships in the amount of $2,000 each to qualified students who are enrolled, or plan to enroll, in an HVACR program at an accredited institution. The deadline for the fall 2008 semester scholarship application is July 1. You can apply by visiting www.ahrinet.org.

Hard to believe, but there is “free” money to be had, but the foundation cannot even get 10 applicants.

I received another e-mail the same day. The writer had two reasons why the industry is having a difficult time getting more to join this field: “Bad pay for a horrible job.”

This person went on to say, “I fear that the HVACR trade is fast becoming another one of those trades that will be done by people that we now see doing our gardening and crop picking. Why? Because our young people do not want to get their hands dirty for a small salary in a job that could disappear tomorrow if the weather so dictates.”

When you get less than 10 applicants for a possible $2,000 scholarship, one begins to wonder.

Material shortages and price escalations plague the construction industry. As many as two-thirds of general contractors and subcontractors, which include HVACR contractors, said that shortages and price increases eroded their bottom line, according to the 2006 Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) study.

The study showed that steel and cement materials in particular were in short supply, creating a high demand. As material price volatility becomes persistent and more normal rather than an exception, members of the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) are calling for support in addressing ways to equitably share the risk of hyper-volatility in construction contracts.

Members can go to www.mcaa.org/private/procurement for new information, including a succinct analysis of the issues, material price volatility, and contract clauses allowing cost adjustments in cases of extreme volatility.

More and more contractors are putting a material price escalation provision in their contracts. The premise of the material price escalation clause, of course, is the risk that a significant change in the cost of the material would be borne by the customer, not the contractor.

These clauses simply state that if a contractor must pay more for the materials than originally specified in the contract, the customer will absorb the additional cost. Typically, escalation clauses require proof that the increase is due to a price increase instead of pricing error on the part of the contractor.

It is clear that the price volatility of construction material will be a continuing challenge. The contractor’s best defense is to be informed and to negotiate contracts wisely. If you have any suggestions on beating the system, we’re all ears.

For many years, the HVAC cleaning industry has been driven by concerns about IAQ. Now, through a two-year research project with the University of Colorado, the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) is on the path to confirm and define the relationship between HVAC cleaning and energy savings.

In February of this year, NADCA entered into an agreement with the University of Colorado for a $250,000 research project that is designed to provide members with a tool for estimating the energy savings associated with HVAC cleaning and restoration projects. The research project was also commissioned to develop a field-testing protocol for NADCA members that will facilitate collection of data to provide broader support for linking HVAC cleaning and restoration to energy savings. This project will encompass residential and low-rise commercial buildings.

Rather than go into full details of the research project, let’s just say a computer-based energy simulation for typical residential and low-rise commercial buildings will be used by the researches. An in-depth study will be conducted to show how HVAC pressure drop affects energy consumption in these settings. The research team is also to develop an energy simulation to represent typical usage for a standard housing construction located in Denver.

Upcoming stages for the research project include the development of a light commercial-base case model and a parametric study of how HVAC system pressure drop is related to energy consumption in that environment. The research team will also begin developing a laboratory experiment, based on the findings of the energy simulation studies. The results from the simulation studies will serve as the basis for all experiments during the following phases of the project.

NADCA believes this research will provide members with the credibility needed to establish the connection between HVAC cleaning/restoration and energy savings. The association is already happy with the U.S. Department of Energy, which called attention to the link between HVAC cleaning and energy savings through its advocacy of cleaning condenser and evaporative coils. According to DOE’s Website, when this cleaning is performed by a trained and competent technician, the result is energy savings of up to 30 percent. That is a remarkable testimonial from a government agency that sets energy policies for the United States.

OK, so we were a little off.

Almost exactly a year ago (June 4, 2007, to be exact), The NEWS had this headline on page 1: “Gas Prices Predicted to Hit $4 per Gallon.”

What can I say? It took nearly a year for it to happen, but it’s here – at least in Alaska and Connecticut, at last look. As of May 16, these two states passed the $4 threshold, but you know it’s coming to every state sooner or later. According to the AAA, the average price for a gallon in Alaska is $4.02, while it is $4.08 in Connecticut. (You have something to brag about in Arizona, where a gallon of regular unleaded is $3.65, well below the national average of $3.87. Geez, sun and “cheap” gas. Lucky you, Arizonians.)

For the record, one year ago when that article appeared, self-serve regular gasoline hit a then-record-high $3.18. Now we crave for the days of $3.18-a-gallon gas.

I am afraid to ask when this all will end. The economy will continue to go down the dumper with each price hike. Contractors will have to charge more in order to make up for the difference – which is not going to make customers happy one bit. With more bills on their plate, I suspect more customers will not be calling an a/c contractor for service or a maintenance check. Many, I fear, will be opening windows (if possible) for fresh air or use an individual fan to keep cool.

More bad news from the Midwest, too. In the St. Louis area, at least, they are predicting a below-normal temperature for the month of June and an above-average rainfall. It’s just not a good mix for local contractors.

How do you plan to overcome these obstacles, folks? I am afraid there is no silver bullet, is there?

I have said it here before and I will say it here again: Since the average child watches 1,680 minutes of TV per week, we need to get an HVACR-related TV show on the boob tube. The idea here is to capture the attention of young ones to this industry.

[I asked for some input before, but no one responded. Unfortunately, this is par for the course in this industry: Not enough people take an active role in getting things accomplished. But more on that another time.]

Unless I am completely overlooking something here, the only TV show that came close to addressing HVACR was “Home Improvement,” which aired on ABC, 1991-1999. You can still catch reruns on cable.

I liked the show. Who could not like Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor (played by Tim Allen)?

He was always accident-prone and loved teasing his co-host, Al Borland (played by Richard Karn). (And, yes, I did like Tool Time girl Heidi Keppert!)

However, I am not so sure if having a situation comedy series on the air would be the best way to show what HVACR is all about.

I think it has to be more of a serious show, something like “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”

Funny, but this show tells of all that goes into the building of a home, but not much time is spent, if at all, telling the details of the HVACR system. Again, since air is not visible, it is not given its due.

Maybe we can get host Ty Pennington to do a spin-off with an HVACR-only show. Know of any contacts in Hollywood?

Where does the time go?

It seems like just yesterday I presented my boss with a story idea: Why not follow an HVACR student on his way to an associate’s degree? Is it tough? What are some of the obstacles, if any? What goes on in the head of a student pursuing HVACR as a career?

Getting the OK from Mr. Murphy, I contacted the reputable local trade school in St. Louis, Ranken Technical College. I told officials of my intent to follow a student through classes and provide periodic reports in The NEWS. The powers-that-be selected Brad Bartz for me to shadow.

I must say, I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.

Maybe you have read some of my reports concerning Bartz. Just in case you have not, Bartz is a 25-year-old resident of Maryville, Ill. He lives with his mother Irene and his stepfather Joseph Mullenschlader. His father, Jerry Bartz, lives near San Francisco. For the past two years, the energetic youth has been attending classes while working full-time at the deli department of a grocery store.

May 8 it all ends. Bartz is to get his diploma and move on to the real world. It’s been a long time coming for Bartz, who before earning his high school cap and gown, plunged into the labor force full-time and lived on his own.

“I was still living paycheck to paycheck, even though I was making [$14 an hour]. My rent was pretty high for where I was at,” he told me.

One reason he opted to go to Ranken: “Because my Mom always wanted me to go to college…for something. Like nowadays, you have to have a college degree.”

Even though Bartz had not officially landed full-time employment with a local contractor as of this writing, I expect him to land one soon – maybe even before May 8. He has a lot going for him and will work hard for his boss.

“I want to be a tech,” Bartz told me. “That’s what I want to do. Further down the line, I might change it to something else, but as of right now, that is what I want to do.”

Congratulations, Brad. You made it. Keep in touch.

This industry is going about reaching today’s youth in the wrong way. Since the average child watches 1,680 minutes of TV per week, let’s set our focus on getting exposure on the “boob tube.”

Sure, today’s youth may be engrossed with cell phone use, playing video games (both portable and otherwise), eating, and not exercising, but TV plays a big part in their life. Thanks to cable, dish network, satellite, digital video recorders, and TiVo, there are more shows to watch as well as record.

(I have to admit the invention of the DVR is the best invention of this century. One can now skip over the Viagra commercials and get straight to watching “Deal or No Deal.” How great is that?)

Skip the nationwide TV commercial blitz. If ads are being zipped aside, what good would it do to have one if kids are skipping commercials.

Let’s shoot for a weekly TV program, be it an hour, or just a half-hour, show. Let’s get one of the main three — CBS, NBC, or ABC — simply because not all households have cable or satellite.

If we are to make our pitch, let’s all be on the same page as to what type of program it should be. Weekly comedy? Documentary? Reality TV? Drama? Talk show? … what?

After the type of program is determined, we can turn our attention as to what the content should be, how we can pitch it to the networks, vote on who should participate, etc.

I’m dead serious. Let’s get the suggestions rolling.

I was recently invited to take a tour of the headquarters of a firm in St. Louis that provides solutions for mission critical facilities throughout the United States. Rather than spill all of the beans here, my visit will be featured in an upcoming issue of The NEWS. This firm was proud of its new office surroundings, which was originally built in 1967 and was a printing press and warehouse. Among other things, company officials touted its underfloor air distribution system.

In the eyes of these folks, such system in the design of new construction and renovation projects can contribute significantly to the LEED points earned on a project and greatly enhance the overall owner/occupant experience — but only if it is designed and constructed correctly, they stressed.

Apparently, not all underfloor systems are put together correctly. Surprise! The same can be said of any HVAC system, right?

After seeing this building, it makes sense to me that, at the very least, more office buildings should incorporate this type of system. It takes advantage of air’s natural tendency to rise as it warms. Air distributed from the floor is introduced at a lower velocity and, according to these folks, requires less heating/cooling than air from overhead systems, which usually reduces energy consumption and operating units. Such a system is normally lower in cost to install, as there is no overhead ductwork but only very little underfloor ductwork. Distribution components — diffusers, underfloor volume air volume units — can be easily reconfigured and reused, reducing costs associated with moving people around in an office. Incoming fresh air is not mixed with the warm, spent air at the ceiling, so occupants can get first benefit of the air. For employees, this means they can adjust diffusers in their work areas for individual comfort.

In truth, I’ve never heard anything bad about underfloor air distribution systems. For office building owners, it makes total sense to have such a system as it is far easier to reconfigure an office space floor to meet occupant demand than it is to reconfigure ductwork above or tearing down walls to make sure the heating/cooling needs of occupants are met.

If you have tried and installed an underfloor air distribution system, let me know how it went. Of course, let me know your opinion regarding the system. If you have never installed or speced such a system, why not? What are your fears, if any?

I’d like to start a dialogue on this subject. With input, this could generate another feature in The NEWS, detailing the pros and cons of air distribution systems.

After meeting Kadir Isa, I’ll never call anyone a “turkey” (in a negative way) anymore.

Isa, an HVACR training specialist from Istanbul, Turkey, attended the recent HVACR & Plumbing Instructor Workshop, which was sponsored, in part, by The NEWS.

He gave the annual event an international flavor. He was present and thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie among his U.S. associates. He bummed around with Robert Bates, instructor from Delaware Tech, Georgetown, Del., while at the three-day event held in Lansdowne, Va.

“It’s a good experience,” said Isa, struggling to find the right word in English. “As teachers, we need to know the latest advancements. I am open to learn.”

The Society of HVACR Training, Consulting, and Research (ISEDA) helped Isa get to the States. He is international relations coordinator for the Turkish association. It also helped that he was able to save money on room and board as his younger brother Selim lives in nearby Sterling, Va. Selim is an authorized Carrier dealer.

During his stay, Isa learned more about ECM products and technologies, screw compressor applications, and what’s new with industry design and installation tools and standards. He was even looking into becoming a proctor for North American Technician Excellence (NATE) in Turkey.

In his home country, Isa said study is more on facts and theory. He also said community colleges are better connected to colleges in Turkey. Education is stressed and pushed.

“Life learning is the key,” he said. “That’s one reason why I’m here. I’m here to learn.”

No turkey. No, indeed.

AirTime 500 members found out they can have actor Alan Thicke as their personal spokesperson.

Well, kind of.

Thanks to the efforts of Terry Nicholson and other association big wigs, AirTime 500 members can now buy into a program that will put Thicke on their company’s Website.

Yep, Thicke will be right there, talking about the values of HVAC to those who click on the video. Thicke will be used to expound on other topics, ranging from the need for furnace tune-ups in the fall to IAQ matters in the spring.

It’s not a novelty idea, but certainly an impressive one. After all, if you have a celebrity talking about your service, that could pull in some customers. AirTime 500 members who buy into this program could possibly have a leg up on the competition.

Don’t know who Alan Thicke is? He is best known as the psychiatrist and father Jason Seaver from ABC’s “Growing Pains.” He also had his own show from 1980 to 1983, which became (and apparently remains) the biggest hit in the history of Canadian daytime television. He’s responsible for the creation of “Facts of Life” and “Diff’rent Strokes.”

Thinking about this, I was wondering which celebrity would you like to represent your company and why would you choose that celebrity? If you select Pee-Wee Herman, we’re going to have to have a talk.

(By the way, Carmen Electra is already taken. She’s going to be on my Website. Should I ever put one together. And if her agent ever calls me back.)

U.S. Airways recently announced, beginning May 5, it is going to charge $25 for a second checked bag. “We’re making these changes to offset record fuel prices and rising airline-related expenses,” the airline stated in a release. “With this policy change, we’re able to give you the choice to avoid the fee and pack fewer items. With fewer bags to process, we save both money and fuel and can pass that savings on to you.”

Funny, but the airline is blaming the high cost of fuel, but, in truth, it just wants passengers to travel with less crap. Bring more and it will simply cost you. Airlines continue to find ways to screw…err…get more of our money, but justifying each change (or so they believe). They charge $20 (or more) for issuing a paper ticket. If you want to fly standby, it will cost $50. Some charge $100 on standby travel with a nonrefundable ticket.

And, to think, many contractors struggle over the idea of adding a fuel surcharge. Maybe contractors should charge $20 for shoe covers. A tech can come in a home with or without them. It’s up to the customer.

That said, there has to be more legitimate charges a contractor can justify in passing along. Let me know. I’d like to collect these ideas and present in a future editorial. All I know is this: When the airlines begin charging to go to the restroom — or for toilet paper — while in flight, we are all in trouble.

Not sure about you, but I receive a ton of e-mails a day. Of course, 99.8 percent are worthless. I still have yet to find out why Dr. Mikel Georth would leave me funds in a secret bank in Chicken, Alaska, or why a person named Janet Luhrs would want me to buy a Germ Guardian™ Digital Ultrasonic Humidifier.

In regard to the last offer, this humidifier offers nano-silver technology that is supposed to sanitize the water for germ-free humidification, has ultrasonic technology designed to create a fine humidity mist, and does not require cleaning or filters to replace. There is also a table top version, which is (they say) great for travel.

Of course, I am sure airline security would certainly question a person traveling with a humidifier. This is not a common practice, is it? I am tempted to buy one, especially since I can try one for 30 days absolutely free. But, why should I? Why should I listen to what Janet Luhrs has to say?

After all, this woman is the editor and publisher of Simple Living (www.simpleliving.com) and the author of two best-selling books. While I do not doubt she can help people, I’m not sure how endorsing a humidifier fits the equation.

Note to self: Begin deleting 99.9 percent of e-mails from here on out.

I have to admit, the full-page ad is attractive, and especially with the headline “Amish man’s new miracle idea helps home heat bills hit rock bottom.”

Another draw is a smaller headline within the ad: “How to get 2 free heaters.”

Don’t buy it.

Free is never free.

Did your local newspaper have this same full-page ad, touting the Heat Surge ™ miracle heater? If you want to find out more about this Heat Surge roll-n-Glow™ Amish Fireplace, go to www.amishfireplaces.com. Not sure about all of the company’s claims, but from a marketing standpoint, these people inspired a curious editor.

These “miracle” fireplaces have what’s being called the “Fireless Flame” technology, designed to give homeowners, as it states in the ad, “the peaceful flicker of a real fire but without any flames, fumes, smells, ashes, or mess.” And, all you have to do is plug in the thing.

The biggest claim it makes is that this piece of equipment uses about the same energy as a coffee maker — and how in the heck they can prove that, I’ll never know. Anyway, it is supposed to kick out an amazing 5,119 Btus. In the ad, it states “an onboard powerful hi-tech turbine silently forces hot air out into the room so you feel the bone-soothing heat instantly.”

Here’s a plus: It is UL-listed and comes with a full year money back guarantee.

What hit me most was the fact it said you could get two free heaters. Well, I called the national toll free hotline, but the kicker was that you had to pay $249 to cover the cost of the mantles for each “free” heater!

Huh?

I was not about to argue with the person on the other line, but let’s just say the wording in the ad is very deceiving! It exactly states: “All those who beat the 48 hour order deadline to cover the Amish made Fireplace Mantles and shipping get the Heat Surge miracle heaters free.”

Translation: You get the guts free. However, you have to pay for the material that covers the guts.

I’m just wondering if anyone out there saw this same ad — and, again, it was a full-page ad — in your local newspaper? Better yet, I’m wondering if anyone out there got sucked in and paid for one of these “free miracle” heaters that can, apparently, save on heating bills, roll anywhere, and is soft to the touch (meaning it won’t burn your hand when you touch it, unlike most portable heaters). I want to hear from you.

If enough of you got burned by this ad, legal action could be taken.

As an HVACR contractor, you are crazy if you do not set foot in the green building movement. There are many, many outlets to become educated on the subject. You can start with two sources: Ferris State University (FSU) and the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA).

When it comes to the green building movement, MCAA is all business. It put together a series of live green building webinars, all designed to help members compete in this expanding market. A copy of each presentation will be archived for viewing after the presentation at MCAA’s green building Website, www.greencontractors.us. The first webinar – “Commissioning” by Chuck Gaziano of McKenney’s Inc., Atlanta – is now available for download (http://mcaa.webex.com). It was first presented during the 2007 Green Opportunities Conference.

The first webinar for 2008 will take place on March 27, and will feature Jerry Yudelson of Yudelson Associates. He will lead a session during MCAA 2008 on “Branding and Positioning Your Green Building Offering.”

The association is pushing for members to become a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional (AP). In the association’s National Update newsletter, it states: “If you want your company to compete in the growing green building market, LEED AP certification is a must.”

Meanwhile, FSU is working with HVAC Excellence in putting together training modules to address the green educational needs of the industry. The first project, “Green Mechanical Awareness,” is complete, having been pilot tested at the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices annual instructors’ workshop last year and through workforce development in Louisiana. The program is designed to provide a basic understanding of green concepts, terminologies, systems, and the latest technologies. The program components include a text book, instructor’s guide, Powerpoint presentation with speaker notes, and certification exam.

The two are also working to develop additional technical training modules covering an array of green mechanical issues. The first technical module, “Combustion Analysis,” covers the maximization of furnace and boiler energy efficiency.

For additional information, contact HVAC Excellence at 800-394-5268 or FSU at 866-880-7674. Of course, if you have come across a strong source that is currently helping you in your green endeavors, post your information accordingly. I’d love to hear from you.

Never met Dr. Patricia Stanley, but I will be crossing paths with the deputy assistant secretary in the Office of Vocational and Adult Education twice next month. Dr. Stanley is the scheduled keynote speaker for both the HVACR & Plumbing Instructor Workshop (March 5-7 at the National Conference Center in Lansdowne, Va.) and the HVACR Educators & Trainers Conference (March 16-19 at the Imperial Palace Hotel in Las Vegas).

At both places, Dr. Stanley is to discuss, among other items, the new federal accountability requirements for secondary and post secondary HVACR programs, plus what each should be doing to comply with the new requirements. She is also expected to update attendees regarding the Perkins Act, industry certification, professional development, and career pathways.

“Pat Stanley is a leader in the field of vocational and adult education and her expertise and professional experiences are tailor-made for our audience,” said Gerry Kennedy, chair of the 2008 Instructor Workshop Steering Committee. “Dr. Stanley has set a standard of excellence in her career and we look forward to hearing her commentary on the state of American adult education and the future challenges.”

As a contractor, what would you want to ask Dr. Stanley? I’d like to know since I will have the opportunity to talk and interview the woman who was sworn into her new post in mid December 2006. So, by all means, do not hesitate to post some good questions that I can ask Dr. Stanley, who was president of Frederick Community College (FCC) from January 1998 to August 2005, becoming FCC’s sixth and first female president. Prior to joining FCC, Dr. Stanley was executive vice president of Cypress College in Cypress, Calif.

Word is that Dr. Stanley was selected for her present employment because of her comprehensive knowledge of community colleges and experience with workforce and adult education. Her primary responsibilities are for all initiatives and policies affecting community colleges and post-secondary education.

What should I ask her for the HVACR contractor community? Help me out.

I should have given these to you earlier. However, here are just a few headlines you will not see in The NEWS this year:

21. One Thousand-Year-Old Boiler Finally Dies

20. Solar Power Takes Off in Seattle

19. No New Developments in Thermostats

18. Entire State of Texas Goes Ductless

17. Trane Purchases Carrier Dome

16. Burgers Now Sold at One Hour Heating & Air Franchises

15. Jimmy Hoffa Discovered in Duct Cleaning Job

14. R-123456789 Improved; Good for Washing Uniforms, Too

13. Virtual Contractor Gets Virtual Pay Increase

12. Astronaut-Turned-HVACR Contractor Out of This World

11. China Fails to Copy Anything; USA Still in Shock

10. Al Gore Abandons Global Warming Theory

9. HVAC Licensing Now Mandatory in All 50 States

8. California Bans Air Conditioning, Permits Smoking

7. Summer Months End With No Copper Thefts

6. NATE Runs Out of Certification Exams

5. Contractor Wins Nobel Peace Prize

4. New TV Show Glorifies Technician

3. Millions Sign Up for HVACR Training

2. Golfing, Drinking Banned at Industry Meeting

1. Green Building Movement Dies

While at the 2008 Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition, I was invited to visit the booth of the National Environmental Balancing Bureau (NEEB). It had some information to pass along.

Ever hear of NEEB? Ever hear of retro-commissioning? Maybe each has been under your radar, too.

Established in 1971, the NEBB is an international certification association for, as it put it, “firms that deliver high performance building systems.” Its members perform testing, adjusting, and balancing (otherwise known as “TAB”) of HVAC systems. Members also perform commissioning and retro-commission building systems commissioning.

Huh?

I’ll let Gerald Bauers, president of NEBB, explain.

“Retro-commissioning is a holistic approach to correcting the deficiencies in a building’s HVAC and control systems,” he answered. “NEBB-certified firms work with building owners to ensure that a building not only has properly sized equipment, ductwork, piping, and electrical service, but also to correct problems, such as leaking windows, inadequate insulation in roof and wall connections and unsealed air penetrations in walls and slabs.”

As Bauers is quick to note, the U.S. Dept. of Energy (DOE) estimates that buildings account for nearly 40 percent of all energy consumed in this country. In addition, HVAC and water heating account for 64 percent of all energy consumed by the average commercial building. Therefore, Bauer contends that the owners of nearly five million commercial buildings in the United States can reduce their impact on the environment by as much as 30 percent through retro-commissioning, a process designed to ensure that all HVAC and integrated building controls are operating at peak performance.

“Retro-commissioning not only saves energy and lowers operating costs for building owners, but also greatly enhances occupant comfort by reducing fluctuations in air temperature and improving indoor air quality,” said Bauer.

In the big picture, NEEB has more than 600 certified firms that are working closely with building owners, architects, engineers, and construction contractors to reduce the environmental impact of heating and cooling systems on the environment while cutting building operating costs at the same time.

It’s worth looking into the four separate certification programs offered by NEEB: sound & vibration measurement (S&V); cleanroom performance testing (CPT); building systems commissioning for HVAC and plumbing systems; and retro-commissioning. A fifth certification – fume hood testing – will be available later this year.

For more information regarding NEBB, go to their Web site at www.nebb.org. If you have a NEBB certification, feel free to let everyone know here how it has helped you and your business. Doubters would like to see and hear from a real, live contractor.

For those who attended the 2008 International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition in New York City Jan. 22-24, I want to hear from you. What did you think of the three-day walkfest at the Jacob Javits Convention Center?

In my humble opinion, it was one of the better shows in a long, long time. And, yes, the fact it was held in never-a-dull-moment NYC, which was a definite plus. No denying it was bitter cold the Sunday and Monday leading up to the opening day of the expo. However, it was far better than experiencing snow or sleet, which makes a fast town go super slow.

The show itself was filled with manufacturers who were more than willing to demonstrate their new products. With more than 1,800 companies exhibiting, there was certainly plenty to see, do, and report on. The NEWS will provide its full report from NYC in the Feb. 18 issue. (You can also get a short rundown of what it was like by clicking on to the AHR Expo section on this Website.)

Going into the Big Apple, all I heard about was how nasty — weather-wise — the last expo stop was in Manhattan. And, that was 17 years ago! More than a few remembered the snowstorm that hit the city and caused flight delays, travel headaches, and show chaos. It was not pretty.

But that was then. The 2008 show went about, in my mind, without a hitch. And for those who could not find a thing to do after the expo doors closed each evening … well, get a life. All one had to do was take a few steps out of one’s hotel and you could definitely find a close-by bar, restaurant, comedy club … you name it.

At the press room at the expo, show management handed out sheets containing quotes from exhibitors and attendees. Each one quoted had nothing but good words to say about their respective experience inside Javits Center. That is not surprising, especially since show management collected the quotes.

I must confess, most of the people I talked to were happy with the turnout and with the leads and sales generated at the industry’s annual gathering. Of course, the last day was much slower traffic-wise than the first two days, but that is par for the AHR Expo course. If someone were to complain, it would have been the lack of attendees on Jan. 24.

Still, I say it was a great show. But I want to hear from you. If you were part of the thousands upon thousands who came, saw, and conquered, what did you think of the 2008 expo? I want to know.

Good to know that the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Association (PHCC), along with the PHCC National Educational Foundation, is looking into the worker shortage, specifically in hurricane-ravaged Louisiana.

The group is putting on a Workforce Development Summit in New Orleans on Jan. 23, 2008. The purpose is to focus attention on the critical shortage of skilled workers for the plumbing and HVACR industry in that state. The goal is to develop a plan of action to train the workers that are needed to build and maintain the infrastructure needed in Louisiana and regions within the state.

It’s a tough task, especially post-Hurricane Katrina.

The effect of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans was catastrophic and long-lasting. The disaster had major implications for a large segment of the population, economy, and politics of the entire United States. It has prompted a Congressional review of the Army Corps of Engineers and the failure of the federally built flood protection system which experts agree should have protected the city's inhabitants from Katrina’s surge.

Repopulating the city, as well as the state, has been steady, but gradual. Though reports differ, it appears’s the city’s population will only be a little more than half of what it was before the storm hit. (Then again, one report stated the city’s population was estimated at about two-thirds – or close to 300,000 residents – of that before the disaster.)

Bottom line: New Orleans and the state of Louisiana continnues to be hit hard from Katrina, which is why PHCC wants to address the problem. While many have abandoned the state, it still needs help in getting back on its feet – and it needs the workers to help rebuild it.

I was invited to attend the summit, but I will be occupied in New York City that day, reporting on the new equipment being introduced at the 2008 Air Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition, to be held at the Javitz Center. I did request to get meeting notes and asked the organizers to keep me informed of future developments.

Those invited to the upcoming gathering include state and local elected officials, educators, members of the national trade press, and leading plumbing and HVACR business owners. What the outcome will be is anyone’s guess.

If you have any suggestions, I am sure PHCC and PHCC Educational Foundation would love to hear from you. I’d like to hear from you. Post your suggestions right here.