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The First Word

Monthly editorial by Bob Mader or Terry McIver

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ACCA is Here For You, HVAC Contractors!

April 4, 2019

AHR Expo Overcomes, for Another Great Event

Feb. 4, 2019

Are Smart Homes Ready for Prime Time in the HVAC Industry?

July 1, 2014

This montage represents many of the cover and name changes that Contracting Business.com has undergone since it began publishing in June 1944.

Celebrating 70 Years of Service to the HVACR Industry

June 10, 2014

This photo taken on July 1, 2012 shows the large-scale solar power plant in Kyoto, Japan. Even as Japan begins cranking up its nuclear reactors again, Tokyo has launched a scheme it hopes will spark a green-energy revolution and put the country at the leading edge of renewables. New rules oblige utilities to buy all electricity produced from renewable sources, including solar, wind and geothermal power, at above-market rates for the next two decades, in a bid to stoke 'green' power investment. Photo Credit: KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/GettyImages)

What Energy Revolution?

May 5, 2014

Quantum computing uses strange subatomic behavior to exponentially speed up processing. It could be a revolution, or it could be wishful thinking. I like to think of it as revolutionary. It could change everything.

Quantum Changes Could Be on the HVAC Industry Horizon

April 3, 2014

Highlights

Thank You, Charlie Greer. Welcome, New Voices

Dec. 1, 2023

The Contracting Business Team of Influencers for 2024 will share "what works" for HVAC businesses.

Cyber Security and the HVACR Contracting Community

March 10, 2014

The Target hack is just one example of cyber thieves riding on HVACR contractor credentials to steal consumer data Contractors take heed: remote monitoring could put you and ...

Where do you stand on Obamacare and it's impact on your business? Please let us know if your health insurance costs have gone up, stayed the same, or gone down. Also, we're interested in the quality of that health care. Please share your thoughts with me here, on Facebook, or Twitter.

Does the Affordable Care Act Save HVAC Contractors Money?

Feb. 11, 2014

Dinner with friends who own their own small business leads me to believe that HVACR contractors are facing increased health care costs instead of the promised lower costs by President...

The 2014 edition of the AHR Exposition wil be held at the Javob Javits Center in New York City from January 21-23. This graphic was used on the cover of the January 2014 issue of Contracting Business.com magazine.

In an Optimistic World, 2014 Should be a Good Year for the HVACR Industry

Jan. 3, 2014

With the AHR Expo right around the corner, you've already begun to hear and read the annual cascade of glowing predictions about the year ahead. Well time to get real. The...

Singing, Ringing, and Bringing in the HVAC Industry New Year

Dec. 6, 2013

From the government sequester to efficiency standards, home performance, union pension issues, and much more, 2013 was a year of continued change and evolution. These are my thoughts...

With expectations for the geothermal market to reach $146.6 million in sales by 2017, you could say that a new gold rush is on in the U.S.

Geothermal Technology: There’s Gold in Them Hills

Nov. 12, 2013

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To Our HVACR Contractor Readers: A Penny for Your Thoughts

Oct. 10, 2013

Fourth Quarter Fury in the World of HVACR

Sept. 10, 2013

Climate Change Strikes the HVACR Industry Again

July 2, 2013

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HVAC Comfort: Living With Technology

June 4, 2013

There is a lot of innovation out there, but the key for continued success and growth of HVACR contractors is to not become so enamoured of the new technology itself, but to focus...

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For Union HVAC Contractors: The Truth About "Unfunded Liabilities"

May 1, 2013

The unfunded liability in commercial HVAC is viewed as a debt owed by the contractor, even if the business is healthy and will be in business for decades. If that contractor sells...

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Home Performance and the HVAC Contractor

April 3, 2013

Home performance is a key part of President Obama's energy strategy. The Department of Energy is itching to get standards in place to show that they are complying with the president...

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Efficiency? A Question for Ages

Feb. 11, 2013

Editorial Director Mike Weil writes that, despite positive developments in the drafting of energy policy, there's still a great need for a simpler approach to efficiency,...