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Some rants and raves about the HVAC industry out of the mouth of an editor this Monday morning - RANT: The current high gas prices. RAVE: The repeal of the 1099 reporting requirement.

There are many stereotypes about stodgy old HVAC contractors who completely ignore social media. But there are progressive contractors who are using online social tools to grow their businesses. Here are three contractors I’ve stumbled across who have impressed me with their mad skills in social media.

Over the years, HVACR’s overall approach to heating and cooling has changed. What was once a simple installation of a heating and/or cooling unit is now a complex process that must consider the building envelope and a whole structure approach in order to maintain the energy efficiency many are striving to achieve.

What were the most significant changes you have seen in the HVACR industry? We’re going to be exploring this in more detail in our upcoming 85th anniversary special issues - which is why we want to know: What were the biggest technological or market changes, in your opinion?

Every once in a while, a brief quote within all the presentations and comments at a conference will catch my attention as having potentially significant impact. Such was the case at the most recent annual conference of the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration.

I was in the Houston area visiting with a few people and the discussion all came down to this - finding more people for the industry to continue to prosper. That sounded like a familiar strain, and made me realize that nearly everywhere I go, and with nearly everyone I talk to, the same topic always comes up - attracting young people into this industry.

As contractors, we are pretty far down in the food chain, but we are the ones that have the contact with the actual end user of HVAC products. Since we deal directly with the user, sometimes our point of view will differ from those higher up on the food chain. The higher-ups have adopted a very strong philosophy regarding the importance of being green.

Last month I attended the HVACR Instructor’s Workshop in Lansdowne, Va. For me, the highlight was when I got to present The NEWS’ Instructor of the Year award to Jeff Sweda. Now it’s time once again to recognize the instructors who are deserving of this honor. The NEWS is accepting nominations for the 2011 Instructor of the Year.

Customer education is more important than customer service. Don’t believe it? Ask the contractor who just left a sales call without a signed purchase order. On his way to the truck he scratched his head and asked, “Where did I go wrong?”

Vince Lombardi gets credited with saying a lot of things that he never actually said. He may not have first uttered the words, but, that whole thing about getting going when the going gets tough is close enough, and a great example is the typical day in the life of an HVACR professional.