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Notifying replacement customers about the 13 SEER change that is coming and the differences in current and future systems is an excellent opportunity for first-class contractors who want to differentiate themselves from the majority of the competition.

Technicians skilled in refrigeration technology and in search of more challenges may want to look at the supermarket sector if they are not already there. Change - and change on the cutting edge - is almost a constant in the supermarket arena.

Internet Reverse Auctions Can Make Things Worse I just read Mike Murphy's column, from the June 27 issue, about reverse auctions ["If It Walks Like A Duck..."]. From a contractor's

A lot of finicky customers seem to believe contractors aren't supposed to make a profit. But those customers need a reality check. Contractors are in the business of providing quality service to their customers, but they don't have to go broke doing it.

Salting is a labor union tactic that should die a quick death. Congress has been looking into this practice for several years now, but - to date - nothing has come of it.

The broken windows theory states that, by repairing broken windows immediately, crimes against a building by vandals can be reduced or prevented. The founders of Habitat for Humanity use that same strategy in attempting to revitalize neighborhoods.

According to a recent survey, less than 30 percent of contractors are fully prepared to enter the new world of 13 SEER. The rest will need help selling higher efficiency equipment. When new skills are needed, most contractors look to their distributor for training.

I think it's fair to say that our industry has an image problem. Granted, many have been working hard to correct that issue, but it still exists.

Do you ever think that there has been way too much discussion on the topic of 13 SEER efficiency standards? Then, along comes a reminder that not nearly enough is being done regarding the changes that 13 SEER efficiency will bring to the industry.

When a manufacturer comes out with a new product, it is often the result of efforts by the R&D department along with the folks in sales and marketing. Often the creation of the product is done with input from wholesalers, contractors, and technicians.