THE BIG READ · THE BUSINESSThe Trades Are the New Smart Money: Why Gen Z Is Choosing Repair Over a $30K/Year Degree
College underemployment stays high a decade out while HVAC and appliance repair face a documented tech shortage. Why Gen Z, and smart shop owners, are betting on the trades.
By Dale Resnick · 7 min read
APPLIANCESFreezer Not Freezing But Fridge Is Cold: How to Fix It
A freezer not freezing while the fridge stays cold is unusual, since one coil often cools both. Here's the diagnostic order, from the evaporator fan to the defrost system.
REGULATIONDOE Proposes Rule to 'Permanently End' Future Appliance Efficiency Mandates
A new DOE proposed rule would rewrite how appliance efficiency standards are set, making future tightening for HVAC, water heaters, and more far harder.
Departments
99 news · 87 guides · 7 interviews
The 5 Numbers That Tell You If a Repair Tech Is Actually Making You Money
A five-number technician scorecard for HVAC and appliance repair shops: billable percentage, callback rate, average ticket, upsell conversion, and CSR booking rate.
REPAIR GUIDES
Your General Liability Policy Won't Pay for a Refrigerant Leak: The Pollution Exclusion Gap
Standard general liability policies exclude refrigerant releases as pollution. Contractors Pollution Liability fills the gap. Here's how the exclusion works and what CPL covers.
INDUSTRY NEWS
Your Yelp Rating Is Quietly Setting Your Loan Rate: What SBA Data Reveals for Contractors
New research links a higher Yelp rating to cheaper credit: about 25 basis points lower loan spread and 6% lower collateral per half-star. Why reputation is a cost-of-capital issue.
Your Repair Business Is a Cyber Target: The 3-Layer Security Setup Every Contractor Needs
A practical 3-layer cybersecurity setup for repair and HVAC contractors: physical, network, and people defenses that stop invoice fraud and phishing without an IT department.
Read all 87 repair guides →Guides, news, and business tips for appliance repair and HVAC pros — every other Tuesday.