There’s a new book out called “Losing Our Cool: Uncomfortable Truths About Our Air-Conditioned World (and Finding New Ways to Get Through the Summer)” by Stan Cox. Cox is trying to hype up his proposal to reduce American dependence on a/c, so he recently wrote an editorial in the Washington Post.

Nowadays it seems that everyone only uses the term “green” to mean eco-conscious or environmentally sustainable. What’s becoming increasingly evident, though, is that people only choose to be environmentally green when it’s good for the green in their pocketbook.

On June 3, the Department of Energy (DOE) issued a notice of noncompliance for three manufacturers of evaporative coils. In response, all three companies stated that there were errors in the data used to evaluate their compliance with federal energy conservation standards, and that they did not distribute any noncompliant models.

Just this week I came across an article that told me how to start my own HVAC company in seven easy steps. Yep, seven steps were all it was going to take me to become a pro business owner in the industry.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), more than 1 million children in the United States are affected by lead paint poisoning. In an effort to preserve the health of children and others who may come into contact with lead paint, the EPA issued a rule that requires contractors to become certified in lead-safe practices for certain types of work.

The NEWS is accepting nominations for our annual Best Instructor contest, and we’ve made it easy for you to nominate your instructor.

Since the House of Representatives passed the Home Star Retrofit Rebate Program (H.R. 5019) in early May, many industry members have voiced their concern about certain aspects of the legislation. Chief among the concerns raised about the bill are the restrictions it places on contractors who perform the rebate work.

With the unemployment rate currently hovering just under 10 percent, it may be relatively easy to find workers right now. But, considering the aging national demographics, you may want to evaluate your company’s readiness for a tight labor market. Here are some questions to consider.

If the Senate does, in fact, pass the Home Star bill, do you think it’s got enough cash to make an impact on your business? Right now, the bill says it will provide $6 billion in rebates for homeowners who make energy efficiency upgrades to their homes.

In my last blog I commented that it feels like the current Congress is going into overdrive. The House and the Senate have had a lot on their legislative plate, but they seem to keep gobbling up everything that comes their way.