Look out; a technical incompetent is on the loose. Yes, this could be referring to me attempting to explain the importance of measuring superheat and subcooling, or it could be referring to a technician who just strapped on a set of gauges with nary a clue.

The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) announced on July 2 a decision to delist mix-match coil-blower combinations, effective July 15, that exceed 6 percent of a system manufacturers’ highest sales volume tested (HSVT) combinations. This left many distributors and contractors wondering about inventory issues and how to support previously quoted system ratings.

My recent experiment with Twitter.com is almost down to its last tweet. Here is a sample from my latest follower: “I'm a shy girl that is looking for a guy to be intimate with me and LOYAL to only me. Please no cheaters. Patti.”

The concept of return on investment (ROI) is fairly simple: everyone wants something back from their investment. The complication begins when you question the customer as to how they measure ROI. Is the return measured in dollars, or design, or bragging rights? It is different for everyone.

The Fourth of July weekend is always one of the most dangerous on the highways, primarily because there are a lot of celebrations involving alcohol. Here’s hoping everyone you know is safe and sound today.

Having been on the phone with commercial contractors the last week or two, there is a little bit of discussion as to how the 2009 stimulus funds will be spent.

A recent opinion on this page (“Tax Credits Tough to Use,” May 25, 2009) received a lot of attention from our vast readership and we received a variety of comments. Since that point in time, The NEWS has spoken to quite a few people and unraveled a bit more of this very large ball of twine.

Have you ever thought about what new information or technologies might influence your future? Sure, while waiting in a city log jam you have thought of jet packs that can fly you across town in rush-hour traffic, but have you given consideration as to what might change your business life?

A recent front page story described an acceleration of the transition from HFC refrigerants to even more environmentally friendly carbon dioxide or hydrocarbon (HC) alternatives. And, this, before many contractors have begun to comprehend the nearing transition of HCFCs to HFCs.

In 2006, the federal government enacted a 3 percent withholding tax on public construction contracts. The good news is that the enactment date is still pending - it won’t go into effect until 2012. The bad news is that it was a bad idea in the first place.