From the government to the Disney Channel, an overall message of energy efficiency is being pounded through the airwaves and television sets of the standard American consumer. It has reached a level that echoes the greenwashing epidemic from which Americans have yet to recover.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is predicting continued recovery for 2011. So is Ben Bernanke, chairman of the board of governors of the Federal Reserve System, and so are many of the contractors with whom The NEWS discussed 2011 predictions late last year. These contractors offer economic and industry predictions, as well as business tips for first quarter 2011.

Forget resolutions, behavior changes, and the things you stress about on a consistent basis. It is time to relax and refocus. I am not talking about lazing on a beach with a self-help book and an umbrella drink.

“We thought of the name and the message to the public before we ever started the organization.” These are the words of 2010 NEWSmaker Jim Abrams, CEO of Clockwork Home Services®. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, Abrams has stood steady at the helm of Clockwork through 2010’s game-changing achievements.

Have you been on YouTube yet? Why not? For quite a few reasons it is one of my favorite sites. One, I find that I am no longer required to read instruction manuals; someone has already made an instructional video for me.

No longer satisfied with consumption of traditional media alone, the sight and sound consumer is now looking to simultaneously be educated and entertained, with an emphasis on entertainment. Thus, video marketing has emerged. As an HVACR contractor, you should be working on a video strategy right now.

Flipping channels late one night, I found the solution to all my heating problems; at least that is what Richard Karn, a.k.a. Al Borland, and Bob Vila wanted me to think. Together the two took me on a 20 minute adventure as to why I should invest in an EdenPure Heater.

The votes are in and it’s decided; a majority of the nation is not too happy with the changes made by the White House thus far and they are hoping the large number of Republicans recently voted in will make them happier.

Halloween has passed, Thanksgiving is on the horizon, and midterm elections have shaken up the political playing field. What is an HVACR contractor to do? Have a sale. Admittedly, the HVACR industry does not operate in the retail realm, but this year of economic ups and downs could warrant a change in marketing tactics.

Jobs are still hard to find in many regions of the nation, but according to CNNMoney.com, “enrollment at for-profit schools - a category that includes most trade schools - has jumped dramatically during the recession, to nearly 1.8 million students from about 365,000 in the last several years.”