First and foremost, let me tell you what an honor it is to serve as your HARDI president. I have watched for years as men have taken on this esteemed role with pride and I am now lucky enough to share that privilege. Like so many of you, I come from an established family business and I am particularly proud to give back to the industry that has been such a focal point of Meier Supply and my family’s history.

We often talk about the exceptional educational sessions and robust networking opportunities at HARDI’s annual conference.

WASHINGTON — In the year since the new regional energy conservation standards for split-system and single package central air conditioners took effect Jan. 1, 2015, the HVACR industry has adapted as best it can to the new energy conservation standards in the absence of any enforcement guidance from the DOE.

If an editor receives an incendiary headline for a proposed article like the one above, it is almost guaranteed to get their attention.

Here are my predictions on what will happen to and in the HVACR industry in 2016. Please toss this article away immediately after reading so I will not be held accountable for these proclamations.

The macroeconomic indicators for the U.S. economy are decidedly mixed. U.S. industrial production is growing at a slowing rate, as is U.S. gross domestic product, but the sluggishness in industrial production is more pronounced and thus makes the news cycle and impacts perception.

Forecasters are generally optimistic sorts. We are naturally bright-siders and more likely to err on the border of being too optimistic. Our kids are always the most talented ones on the field and, our dog is the best, but to tell you the truth, not really the smartest.

Before I dig into my thoughts this month, I want to thank my wife Jen for bearing with me through my many commitments this year as HARDI’s president. She didn’t sign up for months of jet lag or weeks away from our home, but she has stood by my side through it all because she knows it’s important to me.