Modern HVAC systems are more technologically sophisticated than ever before, requiring a skilled and highly trained workforce to diagnose and fix faulty heaters or air conditioners. Contractor Excellence, a magazine dedicated to news and tips for HVAC professionals, recently published tips for how managers can create the most competitive workforce. There are also benefits for the technicians, as training makes them feel more confident in their abilities, which leads to greater job satisfaction and less desire to look elsewhere for a job. Their advice? MORE >>

That sounds like common sense on the surface, but what’s behind the energetic finance personality’s assertion that the HVAC sector has such a bright future? Cramer points to the need for electricity in developing nations, as well as businesses hoping to cut energy costs with the help of leading HVAC providers. “As regulators around the world continue to push for minimum energy efficiency standards and companies seeks to reduce their electric bills, they are installing more efficient HVAC systems, as made by  Ingersoll-Rand ,  Johnson Controls and  Watsco.&#. MORE >>

The other day I drove by a crane picking an old rooftop HVAC unit from a building’s roof. remember after the job was finished I grabbed a quick burger and drove around town looking for a working pay phone. We had to check in with our service manager after every job and the only way to make the call was to use the customer’s phone or find a pay phone; cell phones weren’t commonplace until around 1997. Arriving at the job, you grabbed your leather tool pouch (nylon tool bags didn’t exist yet), refrigeration gauges, and your electrical meters. Simpler Times. MORE >>

You could try to save some money by buying  a half ton truck with four wheel drive, and it would get the job done for a season or two, but you would end up tearing it apart well before it’s paid off. Field Service HVAC buying test instruments field service Fort F-350 HVAC test instruments test instrumentsIt doesn’t matter if you work on residential, commercial or refrigeration units; today’s equipment is more high-tech than ever and servicing them properly requires sophisticated test instruments.  Buy the wrong instruments and its money wasted.  MORE >>

Tools that get the job done. Field Service HVAC iPad 2 SmartVan ContestSource: 176th Wing, Alaska National Guard. What’s cool in field service? Now there’s an easy way to show off the coolest tool in your van and win the world’s coolest gadget in the process! The SmartVan and  ServiceMax are excited to announce our “Cool Tool&# contest. Got Got a cool tool in your van that you find either absolutely essential or, frankly, just cool? Everything from duct tape to specialty equipment is more than welcome. We want to hear from you! Void where prohibited by law. MORE >>