Editor's Blog

Welcome to the First Chapter in My New Book of Life

aa8701@nyu.edu (Amy Al-Katib) — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 03:23:00 -0500

My name is Amy Al-Katib, and I am proud to announce that I am in my first week as the Web Editor for The NEWS!

Snow is a 4-letter Word

Mon, 27 Oct 2014 07:30:00 -0400

With another cold, snowy winter likely coming our way, your customers may be more ready to upgrade than you think.

It’s Snow Big Deal: 10 Winter Driving Tips

Mon, 16 Dec 2013 07:30:00 -0500

As HVAC contractors, you and your techs often spend a lot of time on the road, in all kinds of weather. And as the weather turns colder and hazardous winter driving conditions become the norm, now may be a good time to help your employees brush up on their winter driving skills.

A Veterans Day Thank You

Mon, 11 Nov 2013 07:30:00 -0500

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve struck up a conversation at an industry convention or event, or even during a phone interview, to eventually discover the person I’m talking to had spent time in the military.

Create a Safety Manual, and Nobody Gets Hurt

Mon, 14 Oct 2013 07:28:00 -0400

While safety procedures won’t guarantee that no one will ever get hurt on the job, it lessens the chances of it happening. If they are crafted correctly, they can help keep the company and workers in compliance with the law.

Uh Oh, Here Comes the Debt Ceiling

Mon, 07 Oct 2013 07:30:00 -0400

Congress has until Oct. 17 to raise the debt ceiling, but what happens if they don't?

Back to School, Back to Conferences

Mon, 30 Sep 2013 07:30:00 -0400

Fall is here, and for HVACR professionals, that means it's time for conferences, conventions, and other industry events.

Tradesmen in Demand

Tue, 27 Aug 2013 16:00:00 -0400

In the interest of full disclosure, I am a sucker for an infographic. Sometimes I have the attention span of my six-year-old, so getting good information quickly is an ideal situation.

Making a Change — Little by Little

woerpelh@bnpmedia.com (Herb Woerpel) — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0500

Did you make a New Year's resolution? If not, it's never too late to make a positive change.

The Latest TV Sting Really Stings

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0400

The Today Show on NBC decided the summer heat wave was a great excuse to pull out the old trusty expose of shoddy and dishonest a/c repairmen. The good news is that they asked ACCA and AHRI to participate. If you have the stomach for the bad news, you can click here to read more and find a video link.

Which GOP VP Candidate Would Most Benefit the HVACR Industry?

woerpelh@bnpmedia.com (Herb Woerpel) — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0400

If members of the HVACR industry had the chance to select Mitt Romney’s running mate, who would they choose?

Exactly Why Is There a Worker Shortage?

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Is it really a lack of qualified workers -- or of qualified companies?

Conservation Isn't Hokum? Prove It

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

It may be prudent for contractors to come up with a way to prove to their customers that the financial and environmental conservation techniques being employed are actually successful.

Ask Better Questions, Buy Better Technology

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

When it comes time to purchase new technology, it is possible that you might be asking the wrong questions. Too often, people and companies purchase items with the hopes that the device will solve all their problems, last for a lifetime, and “bring balance to the force.”

Salute a Veteran

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Is there more to celebrating and honoring our veterans than the retail sales that pop up this time of year?

Next Level Contractor Webinar a Smash Hit

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

In a time of dwindling attendance to many national live events, The NEWS' latest webinar series shunned that trend.

Make Time to Innovate

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Driving into the office one morning I saw a work truck with its logo, phone number, and advertising all over it.

Murphy's Law: I Wonder Why...

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400

...the biggest job is always the one you never knew about?

The Great Green Train

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

This year I passed up the options of flying or driving to the Greenbuild event in Toronto, and instead opted to take the train from the Windsor, Ontario, station (10 miles from my home in Detroit) to Toronto and back.

Can Contractors Make HVAC Purchases Exciting?

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Is it possible to change the consumer mindset about purchasing HVAC? Ikea sure changed my mindset about purchasing furniture.