THE BIG READ · REGULATIONThe 2030 Repair Business: 5 Trends Appliance & HVAC Owners Should Bet On Now
Five trends reshaping the appliance and HVAC repair business by 2030: smart diagnostics, heat pumps and A2L refrigerants, the labor shortage, AI dispatch, and right to repair.
By Dale Resnick · 7 min read
THE BUSINESSIf Your Truck Gets Broken Into Tonight, Which Policy Pays? Tools & Equipment Coverage for Contractors
General liability won't replace your stolen tools. Inland marine tools and equipment coverage does, even out of the shop and in the van. Here's how it works and what it costs.
INDUSTRY NEWSOwners Recover Less Than Their Employees Do: What Actually Reduces Contractor Burnout
Research on small-business owners finds they recover less off-work than employees do. Which recovery experiences actually cut contractor burnout, and which don't.
Departments
104 news · 91 guides · 7 interviews
Homeowners Underestimate Repair Costs by $269K — Here's How Repair Pros Should Use That
A Synchrony study found homeowners underestimate lifetime home maintenance by about $269,000. Here's how HVAC and appliance repair pros turn that gap into financing and plan sales.
DIAGNOSTICS
Samsung Dishwasher Not Draining: 5C and 5E Error Codes Explained
A Samsung dishwasher not draining often shows a 5C or 5E error, Samsung's drainage code. Here's what it means and the fix order, from the filter to the drain pump.
APPLIANCES
Whirlpool Refrigerator Wire-Harness Settlement Heads to Final Approval
A class-action settlement over an alleged broken wire-harness defect in side-by-side Whirlpool-made refrigerators reached final-approval stage. What owners should know.
6 Money Lessons I Wish I'd Known Before Starting a Repair Business
Six hard-won money lessons for HVAC and appliance repair owners: collect fast, keep a cash reserve, negotiate everything, sell relentlessly, know your job costs, and pay yourself.
Read all 91 repair guides →Guides, news, and business tips for appliance repair and HVAC pros — every other Tuesday.