Guest Column

Scaling Service in a Technician Shortage

Sun, 14 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Only about 20% of homeowners enroll in maintenance plans, but contractors who scale memberships with connected systems are turning retention into higher productivity and stronger valuations.

The Hidden Threat to Your HVAC Business: Is Your Subcontractor Supply Chain Safe?

Sat, 13 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

With strict new EPA rules around the low-GWP transition, a single subcontractor’s expired certification or missing insurance form can trigger heavy fines or halt a job entirely.

Missed Calls, Lost Jobs: Why HVAC Companies Are Adopting Voice AI Agents

Sun, 07 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Here’s how to get started with Voice AI, helping your business capture work that could otherwise go to competitors

Heat Pump Hype to Hands-On Reality: The HVAC Skills Gap Contractors Can’t Ignore

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

As heat pumps and other advanced systems become more common, the gap between what’s possible and what’s practical will depend largely on workforce readiness.

Could Today's HFC Relief Lead to Tomorrow's Refrigerant Shortages?

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 13:00:00 -0400

Short-term relief or long-term disruption? Revised EPA refrigerant ruling introduces potential challenges for HVACR equipment supply chain.

The Exit Landscape: Why Timing is Everything

Sun, 31 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Selling a business is complex. It’s not just a transaction — it’s a life transition.

Save an Hour on Every Install: The Case for EIM + Smart Thermostats

Sun, 24 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

No contractor wants to discover mid-install that a quoted system upgrade requires opening walls or pulling new wires. EIM technology can help.

How is AI Generative Search Impacting HVAC Companies in 2026?

Sat, 23 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

The rise of AI search does not mean HVAC websites are going away, but it does mean contractors need content that is easier for search engines and consumers to understand.

Love Your Numbers

Sun, 17 May 2026 07:00:18 -0400

Your numbers reveal problems long before they show up in your bank account, and they give you the confidence to make tough business decisions with clarity.

3 Ways for HVAC Contractors to Drive Growth in 2026

Sat, 16 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

BDR’s study showed that regularly reviewing financial statements and KPIs is closely tied to optimism, both about business growth and the broader economy.

How HVAC Contractors Can Reduce Fleet Downtime and Keep Technicians Productive

Sun, 10 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Fleet downtime can cost HVAC contractors more than missed appointments — it can disrupt schedules, delay service, and cut into peak-season revenue.

The Role of Non-Toxic Maintenance Chemicals in Food Service & Refrigeration Environments

Sat, 09 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Aggressive cleaners can introduce unnecessary risk when used around food prep areas or storage spaces.

The Gap Between 4.0× and 10.93× Is Not a Size Story

Fri, 08 May 2026 13:00:00 -0400

Higher revenue doesn’t guarantee a higher value. HVAC buyers are prioritizing margin quality, service mix, and risk over sheer size.

20 Surges a Day: The Hidden Risk Facing Inverter HVAC

Sun, 03 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Your next compressor failure might start at the electrical panel.

How to Keep Growth From Breaking the Business

Sat, 02 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Preserving company culture during a season of growth requires leaders to remember what made the business successful in the first place.

What Bitcoin Taught Me About Financial Control

scott@indoortemp.com (Scott Merritt) — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Over time, I stopped seeing Bitcoin as “tech” and started seeing it as financial plumbing — a resilient layer beneath the banking system.

Managing Supplier Compliance During the Low-GWP Refrigerant Transition

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0400

The shift to low-GWP refrigerants is raising the stakes on vendor oversight, making compliance documentation more important than ever for HVACR contractors.

An HVAC Technician’s Guide to Humidity

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:00:00 -0400

Moisture problems show up everywhere in HVAC systems. Knowing how humidity behaves in air can make troubleshooting condensation and comfort issues far easier.

Why Summer HVAC Failures Start in Spring — and How Contractors Can Help Customers Get Ahead of Them

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Emergency calls may spike in summer, but the causes often trace back to spring. Proactive inspections and early planning can make the difference between disruption and control.

Navigating the Squeeze: How Data and Incentives Protect HVAC Margins Amid Rising Input Costs

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Higher costs for ductwork, coils, and transportation ripple through every stage of a project — here’s how HVAC distributors can help

Before You Chase AI Leads, Fix Your Google Business Profile

mailto:chris@reputationigniter.com (Chris Lollini) — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 15:00:00 -0400

Despite the hype around AI search, Google Business Profiles still drive 67% of total contractor revenue

The Trust-First HVAC Sales Strategy

jjones@violand.com (Jeff Jones) — Sun, 15 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0400

If 92% of the public doesn’t trust salespeople, how do you still win the sale?

From $700K to $7 Million: How Roy White Built a Servant-Led HVAC Company That Scales Without Breaking Culture

mailto:chris@reputationigniter.com (Chris Lollini) — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Roy White’s leadership approach helped guide Fixed Right and Guaranteed from a fragile $700,000 business to $7.3 million in revenue.

How to Turn One Service Call Into Two Revenue Streams

mailto:chris@reputationigniter.com (Chris Lollini) — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0400

“More leads” isn’t always the real bottleneck.

The Most Undervalued Role in HVAC: Why Dispatchers Are the Ones Who Actually Keep the Company Running

Sat, 07 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0500

The person who controls the schedule often controls the success of the business.

What HVAC Owners Get Wrong About Employee Feedback

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 17:00:00 -0500

HVAC leaders can use these three steps to turn feedback into better decisions.

How Contractors Can Stop Losing Orders to Texts, Sticky Notes, and Guesswork

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 13:00:00 -0500

Tiny, everyday errors like missed texts or unconfirmed orders can lead to massive losses. Learn how to optimize your operations to keep those hard-earned profits.

When Heating Systems Fail Midwinter, Everyone Notices

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0500

An HVAC system failure during peak heating season can lead to lost revenue for businesses.

When Distributors Underperform, Contractors Move On

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 07:00:00 -0500

Trust, communication, and shared planning are the keys to good distributor-contractor relationships. Those relationships have been tested lately.

Profit Lives in the Margins: A Smarter Seasonal Marketing Blueprint for HVAC Contractors

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 13:00:00 -0500

The first 18 months of a customer relationship generate most of its lifetime value.