The HVAC Jerks

In episode 36 The Jerks debate the age old question of what is more important, a formal education in a trade school, or years of field experience?  Naturally, there are a few strong opinions with this group.  Oh, and, Anonymous Joe gets recognized for a fourth time!

The HVAC Jerks open up a sore subject with warranties this week.  The contractor needs to protect his reputation, but that means sometimes he's footing the bill; is that fair? And, Anonymous Joe takes a phone call and relives lunchtime from his childhood. 

In episode 34 The HVAC Jerks talk about improving YOUR personal situation in the industry and in life. Investing in your education, in your career, and in your financial well-being should be as important as eating that bowl of Cheerios.  After all, if you're going to do it, you might as well be good at it!  Live life like you mean it!

Episode 33 has the boys battling it out in the studio over the pros and cons of flat rate pricing vs. time and material.  Are flat rate prices too high?  Do you understand where those prices come from?  Does Anonymous Joe really communicate with the animal kingdom?  Listen now and find out!

This week The HVAC Jerks talk about having to go back and do it again; that is, call-backs.  Nobody likes them, and you can never get rid of them completely, but you can eliminate a lot of them.  They're profit killers, and anything you can do to help the situation is worth while, so, download it now!

In episode 31 The HVAC Jerks talk about some of the new technology in the trades.  Not just software and apps, but how things are changing in the trenches, too; and, of course, Anonymous Joes gets a fresh alias for the week.

In episode 30 Rich quizzes the boys with some industry trivia; they did ok.  Think you can do better? Give it try, then send them an email.  Good luck!

This week The HVAC Jerks get into the popularity of ductless mini-splits for heat and air conditioning, then a little Texas pizza, and one Big Tuna; Yellow fin.

In this episode, The Jerks revisit the process of closing a deal in the home, but Kevin's feeling feisty and keeps tossing out roadblocks.  Conflict and craziness rule this week's discussion!

From fire and burns, to falls to you death, the HVAC world is not one for softies.  This week The Jerks relive some of their own close calls in the field with a laugh and the hope that you'll learn something the easy way.  Make your commute fun with The HVAC Jerks, then share your own stories with them at  theboys@thehvacjerks.com. 

If you work at all on the planet Earth, you are likely to either have a manager, or be a manager; and that doesn't mean a good one. There are different management styles, including some that are to soft, and some that micro-manage people to death.  The Jerks take a stab at identifying different styles and what works or doesn't.  And, of course, Anonymous Joe gets assigned another stupid name.

So, which is it?  Can you close the deal?  Find out when The Jerks get in to how to close the sale.  Rich says that most techs and sales people never even try to close the sale; Kevin and Anonymous Joe may have a different take, as usual.  Find out in episode 25!  

This week The Jerks take a deep look at why service companies charge as much as they do, and more importantly, why it matters to you.  Whether you're a technician or an owner, you need to know what it costs to do business.  Without a clear understanding of the company's expenses, it's hard to justify the price to the customer, and harder to feel good about it.  This is an extremely important topic...

Find out! This episode was originally released on 3/3, accidentally deleted and reloaded on 3/9.  Jerks will be Jerks.

In this episode the boys attempt to discuss what technicians can do in the industry when they're tired of turning wrenches.  

Anonymous Joe takes the lead in this week's discussion on professionalism with the Jerks.  Perception is reality, especially in the customers' homes, and Fancy Joe knows how to do it right!

In episode 20 The Jerks discuss some of the ins and outs of heat pumps, and continue to abuse Anonymous Joe.  

Episode 19 finds The Jerks trying to uncover the best ways to organize an HVAC installation.  They discuss how to make sure the customer gets what they were promised and paid for, and that it is efficient and profitable for the company. 

In episode 18 The HVAC Jerks talk about their trip to Atlanta for the AHR show.  While they discuss the fans, fellow podcasters, and new products, it's still unclear as to whether Anonymous Joe went, or not; was he really in disguise and walking 15 feet behind Rich and Kevin the whole time?  Could be...

Most of us understand how a bad duct system can create many problems in an HVAC system, regardless of how well the equipment was installed.  In Episode 17 The Jerks talk about common duct problems and how new technologies may minimize some of their effects.

This week the Jerks tackle the fundamentals of load calculations; what they are, why we do them, and how they can help us.  

In episode 15 The Jerks begin the discussion on what it really takes to start and run your own business.  Rich, Kevin, and Joe go through the challenges and rewards of giving up the steady paycheck in exchange for being the boss with their unique (read, dopey) flair.  Join them and learn something!

No matter what you call it, adding-on, enhancing the sale, or just plain upselling, sales are an important part of an HVAC technician's job.  It can be done with the customer's best interest in mind, or with the worst of intensions.  Listen to what The HVAC Jerks have to say and make sure that you know the difference.

Most of us have had mixed experiences with supply houses; some really good, some horribly bad.  The Jerks discuss why contractors get so frustrated with some counter people, and also why the problem is so difficult to fix.  Listen to what they have to say, and then tell them why they're wrong!  

This battle has been going on for a long, long time people. Are you selling an equipment brand, or are you selling your brand? Listen to what The HVAC Jerks have to say, then let them know what you think at theboys@thehvacjerks.com ! And, they've got new music this week, too!