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Contractors are facing two significant challenges to growth today. Supply chain issues are the first. Can you guess the second?

By Charley Cormany | July 27, 2022

We spend a great deal of time talking to contractors. Understanding their challenges helps us focus our efforts as a trade organization. We continue to hear the same two concerns from contractors. One seems to be slowly improving, and the other is much more difficult.

The first is supply chain issues, which are becoming less of a problem in most cases. The other is the lack of an available workforce, a much more significant and daunting challenge.

Why is it so hard to hire new workers, and what can we, as an industry, do to solve the problem?

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Five Reasons Heat Pumps Are Making the News

By Charley Cormany | June 23, 2022

Heat pumps have been making the headlines recently. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has illustrated the security risks related to dependence on fossil fuels. Heat pumps are being promoted as a means for Europe to reduce its dependency on energy sourced from hostile partners.

President Biden recently invoked the Defense Production Act to encourage the domestic manufacturing of clean energy technologies. The Department of Energy (DOE) published a plan in February to build a Clean Energy Sector Industrial Base. These are both significant efforts to bolster the adoption of clean energy technologies. One of the technologies showcased in these plans is heat pumps.

What are heat pumps, and why are they now critical for our national security? Are there other benefits to this technology? Should we all consider installing heat pumps for our homes and business? Why is this technology getting so much attention these days?

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The Continued Value of Efficiency in a Decarbonization World

By Charley Cormany | May 31, 2022
Recording Heat Loss at the House With Infrared Thermal Camera

It’s human nature — everyone wants to find that magic “silver bullet” that will solve all their problems. It’s no different in the energy efficiency space, where the industry is constantly looking to find the latest and greatest technology or product that will fix everything. But while we have a lot of innovative solutions, from…

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The BPA National Conference – How Was Nashville?

By Charley Cormany | April 29, 2022
Nashville sign

In April 2022, the Building Performance Association held its annual National Conference. For the past few years, the planners had to build a contingency for providing the content virtually due to travel restrictions and the global pandemic. This year was no exception, as travel restrictions threatened to make this yet another online event. The good news is this year, the conference was held in person for the first time since 2019.

We attended the conference in Nashville, our first in-person industry gathering, in quite some time. The following blog provides a perspective on attendance, the conference and educational sessions, and Nashville.

We attended the conference in Nashville, our first in-person industry gathering, in quite some time. The following blog provides a perspective on attendance, the conference and educational sessions, and Nashville.

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Still Think Gas Stoves Are Best for Cooking? Think Again

By Charley Cormany | March 31, 2022
Side view, close-up gas stove flame

For years, professional chefs have touted the benefits of natural gas stovetops for cooking. Gas burns clean, burners heat up instantly, and temperature is easy to regulate. High-end kitchens have been combining gas cooktops with electric ovens for years.  Lately, though, a plethora of studies and news stories have warned us that cooking with natural…

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