When considering new technology for HVACR, cutting edge education tools should not be last on the list of things to invent. In the age of smart phones, Wii, and iPads, a classic textbook with a few extra diagrams isn’t going to be enough to interest the next generation in spending long hours to learn how to repair or replace HVACR units.

Knowing when to let go can be a challenge. As I raced back to Kroger to beat Redbox rental’s 9 p.m. deadline on the fifth day, I thought to myself, it would have been cheaper to cut my losses and return it on the first day and rent the movie later when it was a better time.

Technicians coming out of school can’t find a job. Laid off technicians can’t find a job. Contractors struggling to hire can’t find HVACR technicians. These are three common scenarios currently occurring across the nation. Contradictory at best, the issues bring to light a question that has surfaced again in the HVACR industry, “Is there a technician shortage?”

Facebook has launched its new Open Graph protocol and within less than a month, over 100,000 websites have integrated it into their site layout. Possibly threatening Google’s ranking system and moving the web towards what some call Web 3.0, Open Graph is a curious invention.

It’s a legitimate question that every participant in the HVACR trade should ask themselves and eventually answer. Take entry-level technicians for example.

Statewide smoking bans are becoming more prevalent as local and federal legislators determine that protecting workers and customers against second-hand smoke is essential for increased public safety.

Between 2003 and 2008, it is impossible to know exactly how many homes were built or renovated using inferior Chinese drywall. Homeowners have complained, but many assumed these complaints were isolated incidents. These inferior products have caused compromised IAQ and have corroded metal structures in the homes, including the HVAC systems.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but it’s true. The best effort of an uneducated contractor is less than acceptable. This thought came to me a few weekends ago as I watched a home improvement contractor unearth inches and inches of moldy, standing water from underneath a newly installed shower.

The economy is not the only reason that business as usual is not bringing owners the success it once did. “It’s not just the economy, there has been a paradigm shift in the market,” explained Jim Abrams, president of Retail Services and CEO of Clockwork Home Services Inc., as he kicked off the inaugural Focus on Your Future (FOYF) event.

Huffing isn’t a new idea. Getting high off inhalants found in everything from spray paint to permanent markers has been a pop culture norm for quite some time. A recent resurgence of this topic in the news isn’t really surprising either.