Where Do We Go From Here??

Growing up, like a lot of kids, I watched cartoons. And every Saturday morning, along with Johnny Qwest and Superman, I loved Bugs Bunny. There was something about him that was very endearing to me. And often, as we know all too well (especially when Elmer Fudd was around), he made the wrong turn at Albuquerque. Still, no matter what, he eventually found his way onto the right path, avoided becoming someone's rabbit stew, and life was fine.

In the world of HVACR, at least in the United States, we are standing at a "virtual" Albuquerque if you will. The tax credits that have enabled Americans to save $1,500 on more energy-efficient equipment are about to expire, and there is no word on whether those benefits will find their way into an extension before the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve. And if those credits go away, there is no telling what might happen to an industry that, while seeing some growth, certainly is not seeing sales gains that one would term as overwhelming.

Other tax credits and benefits remain, to be sure. The $1,500 geothermal tax credit is still in place through 2016, and there is much talk about other programs at state and even local levels that could help boost sales for contractors and industry professionals. But the reality is that many in our industry are just now beginning to see the profitability of specifying geothermal, solar and other alternative products as part of the customer's comfort solution. By and large, most still work in the world of packaged units and systems (and a growing number of ductless mini-splits, I might add).

So what does it mean when the clock strikes 12 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2011? No one, at this point, really seems to know. I was at the Comfortech 2010 HVACR conference/trade show the past two days, and the overwhelming word from those I spoke with was just that: "We don't know what is going to happen." That's a scary premise when the leaders of our industry have just as much of an idea about those tax incentives as those servicing equipment on the street do. But that doesn't mean we still can't do something about it.

HARDI has recently launched a new website, www.savehvacjobs.com, that is focused on helping HVACR professionals voice their opinions to elected officials about the need to retain these tax credits and continue to bolster a recovering - albeit slowly - economy and industry. Visitors can go to the site and grab a form letter or use one as the basis for their own; search and find the elected officials from their area, as well as those involved in committee's that have some involvement in the issue; and then send that letter to those that need to see it. I encourage all of you out there to get involved and voice your opinion on this issue to our elected officials. It's a simple, easy way to make your feelings know - and your voice heard. In all honesty, no task you do this year may be more important.

As I write this, I'm in Philadelphia getting ready to meet with some industry partners tomorrow. Driving in today, I saw the statue of William Penn, the signs to get to Independence Hall and huge ships from the U.S. Navy being repaired in the Navy Yards. All of these are visible signs of why we still live in the greatest nation on Earth. And we do so because we have the ability to elect our own officials, tell them what issues are important to us, and implore them to do what's best for us, our families and our communities. Take five minutes of your time to make a world of difference for your career, your friends' livelihoods and our industry.

Labor of Love

Labor Day is always one of those bittersweet holidays for me. On the one hand, it's wonderful to get an extra day away from the office, spend time with friends and family, and hopefully enjoy an extra plate of chicken and red-skin potato salad. On the other hand, there is the part of me that has some angst over the fact that when I walk back in to work, I'll only have four days to get five (plus) days worth of work done. Isn't Labor Day supposed to be a celebration of the worker?

The unfortunate truth is that many folks out there in the working world DON'T like what they do. It's a paycheck. It's a job they took "short-term" and five or ten years later, they are still doing it. And in this turbulent economy, more than a few of my friends have commented to me that their "just happy to have a job and a paycheck right now." And all I can say when I hear that is "I'm sorry. That's really sad."

Don't get me wrong. There are times when I wake up and just wish I could hit the snooze button for, oh, another two DAYS. But on most days, the opportunity to learn and share new things, work with others to develop unique content and programs that help industry profesionals out there in the world of HVACR, and come up with creative ideas that help keep RSES out there as the leading training organization in our trade makes things interesting-and fun.

Look, no one dreams about climbing that 20-foot ladder for the 15th time on a 90-degree day to figure out why a rooftop unit keeps shutting off. And I'm sure that more than a few of you could tell me where to stick it after you share with me a story about working out on ventilator or heat pump when snow and sleet are coming down into your eyes from angles you never thought possible. But I'd also wager that you do enjoy seeing a mother of two thank you for figuring out how to safely and quickly get her furnace back on so that her kids are comfortable. Or feel the honesty behind the handshake of the local grocer who appreciates how you've been able to save him from losing $8,000 worth of merchandise because his compressor died.

When those things happen, it's not a laborious day at all. It's a day that all of us out here can thank HVACR service professionals for the hard work they put in from sunrise to sunset - and oftentimes, much later than that.