It's obvious that home automation is now ubiquitous. But, do we really want to have all those gadgets intertwined in a computerized home reminiscent of "The Jetsons," a 1960s-era Saturday morning cartoon series?

At perhaps the most important meeting in the history of International Comfort Products (ICP), several hundred people gathered for a distributor meeting in November 2005. The purpose was to unveil a new product line of split, package, furnace, and indoor air quality (IAQ) equipment.

McCormick Place, site of the 2006 International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition (AHR Expo), should be under extreme positive pressure from the tens of thousands of salespeople, engineers, contractors, and reps blowing their own hot air at the show.

The Blue Man Group may have been one of the first to exploit the color blue with its renowned Las Vegas act. But the HVAC industry is not to be outdone. White-Rodgers got in on the act with its new 90 Seriesâ„¢ Blue thermostat.

The Hilton Scottsdale Resort and Villas was the site of the second annual Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) Commercial Contracting Roundtable meeting. The theme of the meeting was "Expect Success," and it attracted nearly 150 contractors from North America.

One week The NEWS tells you to watch out for product shortages, the next week it tells you that record shipments are underway. So what's up?

The new year usually brings with it an assortment of personal resolutions for some people. Occasionally, some business resolutions find their way into the annual ritual. Goal-setting is a different animal, though.

The year has only two weeks left, and I have only one more opinion column left in the bag. I think of a few claims and predictions of years past. They are a bit like New Year's resolutions - some came true, some didn't.

We're closing in on what is going to be another record year for A/C and heat pump shipments. Why is business so good? William Sutton, ARI president, said one reason is new home construction. Another might be the hurricanes. Still another may be the 13 SEER transition.

Nearly 200 HVACR manufacturing companies met for the 52nd Annual Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) Meeting. The fall meeting is one of two annual ARI gatherings where members discuss mutual concerns related to certification standards and regulations affecting the industry.