U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced a $50 million program that will encourage the installation of geothermal heating and cooling systems. Chu made the announcement in Fort Wayne, Ind., while visiting WaterFurnace International Inc., a manufacturer of residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional geothermal and water source heat pumps.
As HVAC contractors get into the busy cooling season, many are hoping to gain financial ground. True professionals know that doesn’t always mean running as many calls as you can; rather, it means running as many calls as you can without creating callbacks, which can eat up profits quickly.
As a two-time recipient of Carrier’s President’s Award and a Contractor of the Year for QSC, “It gives our customers peace of mind, knowing that they’re dealing with a company that’s really trying to be the best that we can be,” said Roger Fouche, president, Schall Heating & Cooling.
Some heating and cooling contractors don’t buy into the current green trend, which frequently promises clear skies and verdant plains to anyone who buys the right products. But the truth is, many contractors are already a little green, even if they don’t want to admit it.
Every contractor loves the routine maintenance call that ends in a significant sale. It recently happened to Chad and Randall Scott, owners, Scott Brothers Heating and Air, Fleetwood, N.C. The difference in their situation is that comfort consultant Chris Young first sat down and explained several different heating and cooling options.
It is no surprise that swimming pools are popular in Phoenix. While cooling off and relaxing are the main advantages to owning a pool, there is now potentially another benefit to having that hole in the ground: Energy savings achieved through a renewable energy source.
Since the dawn of time, salespeople have been trying to figure out what factors make consumers part with their cash and actually buy a particular product. Is it special features? Is it price? Is it need? Is it because their next-door neighbors have it, and they want it, too? The same is true in the HVAC industry.
We all know someone who recently lost a job or is struggling with his or her business. The economy is tough today. The only thing we can control is how we react to what’s going on. As my friend and wingman John Harrington of OTR Consultants says, when adversity strikes, “we either fear or we lead.”
After new equipment is installed, I make sure the system is operating as efficiently as designed. This process has gone a long way in reducing the number of warranty performance complaints, improving our pricing structures, almost eliminating overdue account receivables, and enhancing our reputation.
Credit conditions have been far from ideal for the last year or so, as both borrowing and lending have decreased due to the ailing economy. The credit crunch has been of particular concern to the HVAC industry, which relies heavily on financing in order to sell new heating and cooling systems.
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