I have come to the conclusion - again - that the more things change, the more they stay the same. I’m referring to the hectic work schedule that HVAC contractors, especially those in my economically-challenged region of southeast Michigan, are trying to keep up with during the very hot summer last year.
There’s a new tekkie product on the market almost every day - or so it seems. And the HVAC trade is certainly not immune to a deluge of new products, be they mobile for field applications or computer software/web portals for office workers. This article offers a glimpse of a potpourri of software and related products.
The HVAC trade has sounded off on its 2011 predictions - and it is overwhelmingly good. That is, according to 140 respondents to a recent poll at Linkedin.com, who were asked what they saw in their crystal ball for 2011. The HVAC trade - in particular, contractors - are very keen on a business uptick in 2011.
One of the technologies that has popped up in recent years is the motion (occupancy) sensor. This technology is designed to save energy costs beyond the traditional options of turning off lights and dialing down a thermostat. But can this technology find a place in the HVAC contracting world? Very likely, if it hasn’t already.
Today, designing, building, and operating have one common thread: energy efficiency. And it begins with a building’s HVAC system. There are many pieces that go into an energy-efficient HVAC system - especially for commercial buildings.
Various products exist to assist a worker at the jobsite. They make work faster, more efficient, and, in some cases, safer. This article describes a few products that can help a technician get the job done.
One of the most interesting and talked about topics in the HVAC trade is technician selling. The question is: Should an HVAC technician be trained to sell HVAC equipment and supplies? That question has sparked debate among the trade for many years. The result is that there is no definitive right or wrong answer to the question.
The HVAC trade show is a time honored tradition bringing people of the HVAC community together. But in this day and age of e-mail, texting, and Twitter, contractors, manufacturers, and distributors still value the handshake and eye-to-eye contact that is available at trade show events.
To an HVAC contractor, there is a lot of gratification in keeping customers away from the big box retail stores who offer competing products and services. Today, HVAC contractors have turned to eCommerce - using their own websites - to sell products to customers, some of whom are former walk-in buyers.
According to Mike Handelsman of BizBuySell.com, “Whether your business has been struggling through the recession or is still going strong, this might be the right time for you to exit. For business owners looking to sell, there are things you can be doing to improve the odds of closing the deal and to ensure you receive a good price for your business.”