Guest Blog

How Will New Steel and Aluminum Tariffs Affect HVAC?

Mon, 28 May 2018 07:26:00 -0400

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.

Employee Development: No. 2 of the Five Initiatives for Contractors

Mon, 21 May 2018 07:29:00 -0400

Like most service industries, our biggest asset is our employees, and we can’t get the job done without them. Because of this, it’s crucial to invest in and develop your employees within the business to increase buy-in, engagement, and retention.

The Art of Balancing Management and Leadership Characteristics

CoachTomW@Gmail.com (Tom Wittman) — Mon, 30 Apr 2018 07:26:00 -0400

Management activities focus on coordinating and developing resources to produce a desired result.

Legendary Attributes Help Create HVAC Legends

Mon, 25 Sep 2017 07:27:00 -0400

I want to sincerely thank Mike Murphy, Kyle Gargaro, and the staff of The NEWS for selecting me as one of three “Legends of the HVAC Industry” presented Sept. 7 at Service World Expo in Las Vegas. I couldn’t be prouder to have been selected for this award. As I looked back on the information provided in my entry form, I noticed a number of things that I felt would be pertinent and worthwhile to share with you.

The Door is Open for Women in the Trades

Mon, 10 Apr 2017 07:28:00 -0400

In my own personal experience, being a woman who has been embraced by the HVAC community, the common devisor is not gender related at all. I believe it to be a perceived lack of opportunity.

The Importance of Mobile in Your Marketing Strategy

Tue, 18 Oct 2016 11:00:00 -0400

You have a sales team that is driven to increase leads and boost sales for your company. However, you can be doing a lot behind the scenes to help increase their effectiveness and cultivate long term loyal customers for your brand.

Beat Your Local Competition with Higher Google Local Ranking

Tue, 11 Oct 2016 11:00:00 -0400

If you are a local business and you're not on Google My Business, also known as Google Local Business, you are losing customers to your competitors. Google Local Business lists your business prominently in the search results when people make location-specific searches for services you offer.

Using Infographics as a Marketing Tool for HVAC Business

Tue, 04 Oct 2016 09:20:00 -0400

Marketing is a crucial aspect of an HVAC business. It is critical to convey important data and information to your customers, but not everyone will have the time and patience to read through large paragraphs and figures. So, what should you do? Make an infographic.

Two Steps to Search Engine Ranking Domination

Tue, 27 Sep 2016 12:00:00 -0400

The Internet has plenty of information about ranking sites high on Google, but unfortunately, a lot of it is wrong or misleading. You will also find information about useful techniques, but on their own, they are not enough. The two-step method that we are going to discuss always works.

The Importance of Having a Mobile Responsive Website

Tue, 06 Sep 2016 10:10:00 -0400

As far as gadgets are concerned, the smartphone has made several others obsolete. If you are a small business owner, the real cause for worry is the way the smartphone is changing the browsing habits of your target market. If your website is not mobile friendly, your sales figures may take a serious hit.

Does Marketing and Advertising Work for HVAC Companies?

Tue, 30 Aug 2016 10:45:00 -0400

This is the age-old question every HVAC business owner has wanted to know (besides how to find a quality service tech). It more than likely repeats itself every single time a bill comes in from the newspaper, Angie's List, radio/TV… the list goes on and on, but you get the point.

Taking Your HVAC Business to the Next Level

Thu, 18 Aug 2016 11:00:00 -0400

Over time you have done a great job of keeping up with an ever-changing industry. How often have you considered advancing your business? Fortunately, there are some steps you can take today to take your HVAC business to the next level and increase your market share.

OSHA’s New Fines in Effect as of August 2016

Thu, 11 Aug 2016 11:00:00 -0400

In an effort to make civil monetary penalties more effective, last year Congress passed the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015. As part of this act, penalties under the Occupation Safety and Health Act (OSH Act), those enforced by OSHA, have been increased beginning Aug. 1, 2016.

Is Your Company’s Biggest Asset Being Overlooked?

Tue, 02 Aug 2016 11:00:00 -0400

One thing I constantly see overlooked or undervalued in our industry is reputation management. Many times I see a contractor get a negative review online and it just sits there.

Making Space: The Challenge of Surplus Inventory

Tue, 26 Jul 2016 11:00:00 -0400

Manufacturers and distributors in the HVAC sector are continually plagued by the problem of surplus inventory. However, recognizing the pitfalls of excess inventory and the available solutions can help HVAC players manage their extra stock.

How a Virtual Receptionist Can Help You Manage Your HVAC Business

Wed, 06 Jul 2016 09:00:00 -0400

There are a number of ways in which a virtual receptionist can help you manage your HVAC business. In this article, find out how you can improve customer service, increase revenue, and make your business more efficient.

Attracting Millennials to HVAC

Thu, 16 Jun 2016 11:30:00 -0400

The pay is good in HVAC and there are always positions open, so why aren’t smart young people lining the sidewalk of your business for an interview? Here a few factors to consider.

How to Expand Your Service Margins

Thu, 26 May 2016 11:00:00 -0400

You hired the best people. You've got the technical know-how. Despite your efforts, you can't seem to break through that ceiling at 3 percent or 4 percent profit. In simplest terms, running an HVAC business comes down to providing a service. Running a successful business is a bit more complicated.

Taming the Internet of Things with the Cloud

Tue, 17 May 2016 10:30:00 -0400

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a concept almost as loose in definition as the two terms that make it up. In short, the Internet of Things is, well, all of the things connected to and by the Internet. The implications, however, are not so simple.

4 Ways HVAC Contractors Can Use Mobile Marketing Well

Tue, 10 May 2016 10:00:00 -0400

In the HVAC world, keeping up with product technology seems to be a larger priority than keeping up with marketing technology. But if you’re serious about attracting new business, you’ll also want to look into how to be efficient with your marketing outreach efforts and get the word out as widely and affordably as possible.

Why Use Email Marketing?

Tue, 03 May 2016 10:00:00 -0400

Email marketing is great way to keep in contact with your current customers. It’s much less expensive to maintain a relationship with a current customer than to acquire a new one. When email marketing campaigns are done correctly, they help retain customers and generate new sales.

Managing Your Online Reviews

Tue, 26 Apr 2016 10:00:00 -0400

The connectivity of the Internet has made owning a small business easier while presenting a new and challenging set of problems. Keeping your online information up-to-date, maximizing your local search engine optimization (SEO) potential, and managing reviews are all basics of owning a business.

Using Video to Find Qualified Techs and Boost Your Website’s Ranking

Tue, 12 Apr 2016 10:30:00 -0400

With the busy season approaching, a common thread in the HVAC world is “Where on earth am I going to find a qualified technician?” Another constant concern in our industry is improving the company ranking on Google. In this article, I will lay out a simple process that HVAC contractors can use to accomplish both of these goals.

A Working Deﬁnition of Working Capital Is Imperative

Tue, 05 Apr 2016 10:00:00 -0400

So you’ve finally made the decision: You’re going to sell your business. Before you start booking your retirement cruise, though, there are a few factors you should be aware of to get a real sense of what your business is worth. Right at the top of that list is working capital.

How to Clean an Ice Machine

Wed, 30 Mar 2016 10:00:00 -0400

Cleaning an ice machine regularly ensures the ice machine will function as efficiently as possible while producing clean and high quality ice. Ice machine manufacturers typically recommend cleaning and sanitizing ice machines at least every 6 months.

Troubleshooting Ice Machines

Tue, 15 Mar 2016 11:00:00 -0400

Ice machines may encounter issues which require troubleshooting to diagnose the exact problem in order to find a solution. Some ice machines may even beep or light up to indicate an issue. Two of the most common issues which may require ice machine troubleshooting include poor ice quality and imperfect ice cube shapes.

Keeping the Opportunity in Connected Products Simple

Wed, 09 Mar 2016 13:30:00 -0500

Smart technology has evolved at a progressive rate. Has your business followed the trend? When smart products first took off they were only found in high-end homes. Now, smart technology is part of Main Street America and lives in many of our everyday household products.

How Predictive Maintenance Will Change the Future for HVAC Technicians

Thu, 04 Feb 2016 10:00:00 -0500

Humans simply can’t absorb new processes as fast as they become available. And newer recruits have even less time to learn old procedures and new techniques at the same time. Machines, however, have that capability.

Technologies That Are Changing the Face of HVAC

Tue, 05 Jan 2016 10:00:00 -0500

When it comes to heating and air conditioning in the home, advancements within the components themselves are making units more energy efficient than ever. HVAC systems are increasingly communicating between the indoor and outdoor controls while also reducing heat loss and maximizing dehumidifying processes.

How Are Private Exchanges Affecting Contractors?

Tue, 22 Dec 2015 10:00:00 -0500

Is your HVAC business looking for a way to reduce employee benefits cost? If so, you’re not alone. Many contractors are seeking ways to continue offering comprehensive health insurance at a lower overall cost to their workers, and many are turning to private exchanges.