There’s a lot of talk about energy efficiency in the HVAC industry, but not as much talk about energy sources. Perhaps that’s because this is the business of using energy to achieve comfort, and it’s easier to leave the worrying about the source of that energy to someone else.

Last month I attended the HVACR Instructor’s Workshop in Lansdowne, Va. For me, the highlight was when I got to present The NEWS’ Instructor of the Year award to Jeff Sweda. Now it’s time once again to recognize the instructors who are deserving of this honor. The NEWS is accepting nominations for the 2011 Instructor of the Year.

At a time when unitary shipments have fallen, ductless systems have been experiencing impressive growth in the U.S. market in recent years, according to manufacturers interviewed by The NEWS. Ductless manufacturers say there are many reasons for this growth, but one of the main reasons is simply heightened awareness of the technology.

In March 2010, President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) into law. Now, the health care law is beginning to be implemented although it is facing challenges in the court and in Congress. The NEWS asked HVAC contractors if the law has started to affect their businesses, and how they anticipate it will affect the coverage and benefits they offer in the future.

Last week I went to Washington D.C. for AHRI’s annual media roundtable and public policy symposium. I heard a few interesting political tidbits and some good quotes, and thought I’d share some of the more intriguing ones here.

A bill in the Senate aims to update the efficiency standards of appliances and building systems, including furnaces, heat pumps, and central air conditioners. Titled the “Implementation of National Consensus Appliance Agreements Act of 2011,” it divides the nation into three regions with different efficiency standards for each. It also recommends more stringent building codes for new construction.

In the mid-1960s, The NEWS ran a seven-part series on trends in compressor design. The author accurately predicted the future shift that took place in compressor development. So it’s fitting to tune in again to hear what this compressor expert has to say about the history and future trends in compressor design.

As a host of pressures - from demanding consumers to stringent regulations to rising energy costs - continue to bear down on the industry, compressor manufacturers are reiterating that energy efficiency is the best response to these issues.

You’ve all heard that it’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. You’ve also heard that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Well, lately, Congress is proving to small businesses that both of these proverbs still ring true. In fact, you could say that in D.C. everyone asks for forgiveness but is clueless about cures.

As a contractor, it can be tough to branch out from what you know and already do best. But that’s exactly what Rich Imfeld and his father, Dick, have had to do for their company, IC Refrigeration. In this recessionary environment, Rich said, “You either adapt or die.”