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Their focus on culture-first training became the foundation for everything else: technical instruction, soft skills development and long-term career progression.

AHR Expo 2026 made it clear that hybrid systems are no longer an emerging idea; they are the answer to the ongoing balancing act of meeting decarbonization goals while remaining realistic about the grid's capacity for electrification. Manufacturers emphasized systems that combine electric technologies, gas-fired equipment, and advanced controls.

Every job isn't right for every contractor.

In hydronic systems, the circuit usually passes through the boiler, which adds heat. When using a block heater and the boiler is off, it dissipates heat from the circuit. This heat loss must be considered when measuring the circuit's true "net" heating output.

We become comfortable with what we perceive to be best practices and believe they are also safe for all involved. Cupric oxide will always be a concern when brazing copper refrigerant line sets, so purging with nitrogen is the best way to keep your refrigerant lines clean and pristine during brazing.

The event will include several segments of technical training presented by John Siegenthaler, P.E.

With a few intentional steps, you can make sure the work you do in your community not only wins hearts, but also helps you win searches.

In this episode of And So It Flows, Jennifer Harrison and Kaytee Gray from SupplyHouse.com discuss how digital merchandising and fulfillment are evolving to empower contractors with expert product information, simplifying decision-making in the field.

For contractors, taking high-quality photos at jobsites can be highly beneficial.

Trent Leinenbach, VP of customer experience at Stratus, discusses ways that contractors can implement technology into their workflow.