In the 1990s, consolidation swept across the HVAC industry. Contractors were rolled up into large publicly traded companies like American Residential Services, Group Maintenance America Corp., Service Experts, and the utility-owned Blue Dot.

Like other professions, there are certain truths that apply to the field of contracting. Here are 24 of them.

Without mechanical refrigeration and air conditioning, the nation is fundamentally different.

If the right business model is deployed, a connected home division can be extremely lucrative. It offers the equivalent of mailbox money or insurance residual income for HVAC contractors. Even better, the revenue will only grow over time and is unrelated to seasonal demand.

The HVAC industry faces a shortage of skilled labor. There is no question about it. However, the industry’s problem does not need to be your problem.

The new U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs are, at best, unsettling for the HVAC industry, nation, and world economy. Here is how the tariffs can be expected to impact the HVAC industry.

A shortage of skilled labor is an industry problem, a specialty trade problem, and a national problem. It does not need to be your problem if you effectively utilize the manpower mix.

It seems obvious that profit is desirable, maybe even virtuous. If society at large fails to understand the essential goodness of profit, certainly a capitalistic HVAC industry should acknowledge it.

Of all of the possible conferences and shows, including general small business shows, nothing matches the Service World Expo. Here are seven reasons why it is the show to attend.

Even contractors who are diligent about training their teams often overlook their own personal training needs. Make sure you look for personal training opportunities to become a better business person, manager, and leader. Shore up your areas of weakness, whether it’s marketing or finance.