Nicole Krawcke

Livonia

Editor-in-Chief at Contracting Business

Chief Editor @PnMmag and @PMEngineer, social media explorer, bookworm, dog mom. Tweets are my own.

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Articles

Mastering Commercial Sales and Service for HVAC Mechanical Contractors

1 week ago | contractingbusiness.com | Nicole Krawcke

CB: What are the most effective sales strategies for securing commercial contracts? WW: There are several steps — a lot of people think that salespeople are just born. They’re natural to it, and all of that. That's just not the case. It’s like anything else — you have to hone your craft. You have to work at it. The two biggest things, in my opinion, are the ability to reach out and develop relationships with people and be willing to do the hard work. Our biggest job as salespeople is helping people.
ACCA Panel Advises to ‘Stay the Course’ on Refrigerant Rules

2 weeks ago | contractingbusiness.com | Nicole Krawcke

GREATER AUSTIN, Texas — When asked if their companies were rolling with the changes and stocking primarily A2L refrigerants, roughly 78% of attendees said no, they were not primarily stocking A2Ls. This live polling took place during a Codes and Coffee webinar breakout session about the EPA phasedown of HFC refrigerants and the market for A2L products at ACCA 2025. Roughly 15% reported being unsure, and a little over 7% reported they were primarily stocking A2L refrigerants.
Shifting the Focus Away from Price in HVAC Marketing

3 weeks ago | contractingbusiness.com | Nicole Krawcke

Latest from The First WordGraphic purchased from iStockphoto.com97427961 © Convisum | Dreamstime.comColumnsThe First WordShifting the Focus Away from Price in HVAC MarketingLearn how HVAC contractors can move away from competing solely on price and instead focus on communicating the performance and long-term benefits of their services.
Women Breaking Barriers and Building Careers in HVACR

1 month ago | contractingbusiness.com | Nicole Krawcke

Latest from The First WordGraphic purchased from iStockphoto.com197410307 © Auremar | Dreamstime.comColumnsThe First WordWomen Breaking Barriers and Building Careers in HVACR Yes, the industry has changed, and many contractor owners see the benefits of having women employees on their team — they often bring a different mindset and inherent qualities that are different from their male counterparts.
EPA Reconsiders Refrigerant Transition

1 month ago | contractingbusiness.com | Nicole Krawcke

80044529 © W.scott Mcgill | Dreamstime.comRefrigerationEPA Reconsiders Refrigerant TransitionEPA Administrator Lee Zeldin unveils 31 historic deregulation actions, aiming to reduce trillions in regulatory costs. The Refrigerant Transition Rule's impact on the HVACR industry is highlighted.
Maximizing Service Potential: Strategies for HVAC Contractors to Grow and Succeed

1 month ago | contractingbusiness.com | Nicole Krawcke

Residential HVAC service is the backbone of a successful contracting business, providing steady revenue, customer loyalty, and opportunities for long-term growth. Residential service offers consistent demand, as homeowners rely on HVAC professionals for maintenance, repairs, and system upgrades year-round. Contracting Business reached out to some of the best coaches in the industry to learn how HVAC contractors can maximize their full service potential.
HVAC Contractors Adapt to A2L Refrigerant Changes

1 month ago | contractingbusiness.com | Nicole Krawcke

The transition to A2L refrigerants is reshaping the HVAC industry, requiring contractors to adapt to new technologies, safety protocols, and regulatory standards. The industry is moving to A2L refrigerants like R-454B and R-32 to comply with the EPA’s transition rule. As of Jan.
Trump Tariffs Take Effect - What Do They Mean for the HVACR Industry?

1 month ago | contractingbusiness.com | Nicole Krawcke

President Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico took effect first thing Tuesday. Additionally, the 10% tariff that Trump had placed on imports from China in February was doubled to 20%, according to the Associated Press. Canada responded with plans to impose 25% tariffs on nearly $100 billion of U.S imports over the course of 21 days, while China retaliated with tariffs of up to 15% on a wide array of U.S. farm exports.
A2L Refrigerants, Heat Pumps Dominate 2025 AHR Expo

1 month ago | contractingbusiness.com | Nicole Krawcke

ORLANDO, Florida — Tens of thousands of HVACR professionals came together in Orlando to attend the annual AHR Expo, held Feb. 10-12. The industry was abuzz with two main themes: the switch to A2L refrigerants and the continued push toward decarbonization, most notably through heat pump technology.
Contracting Business AHR Expo Product Picks: Day Three

2 months ago | contractingbusiness.com | Nicole Krawcke

Product NewsContracting Business AHR Expo Product Picks: Day ThreeContracting Business is on the floor of the 2025 AHR Expo for its third and final day to find the latest and greatest products. Contracting Business is on the floor of the 2025 AHR Expo for its third and final day to find the latest and greatest products. Check out our product picks from the floor. Nicole KrawckeNicole Krawcke is the Editor-in-Chief of Contracting Business magazine.