Category: Tips

4 Easy Steps to Clean a Mini-Split System

Spray Cleaning Indoor Ductless

Ductless mini-split systems are growing in popularity as homeowners and businesses alike value their benefits. Just like any other HVAC system, regular preventive maintenance and cleaning is key in order to keep this investment running effectively, and efficiently, for as long as possible.

HVAC contractors must be careful when cleaning to ensure that any cleaning solution is not spilled on walls or flooring. Just follow these simple maintenance and cleaning steps to easily service a ductless system.

Step 1: Protect the Cleaning Area

Use a mini-split cleaning bag indoors to prevent leakage, chemicals over-spray, and to keep a clean, mess-free work area. Reusable maintenance bags are designed specifically for HVAC contractors to clean wall-mounted mini-splits and ceiling cassette systems. Continue reading “4 Easy Steps to Clean a Mini-Split System”

Is “Good, Better, Best” Always…Best?

When it comes to HVAC replacement sales, there’s no shortage of opinion and advice about the best way to win the job. For decades, the conventional wisdom has centered around the “good-better-best” sales process.

There are certainly good reasons for the popularity of this technique — and we will explore some of those reasons below. But, sometimes there is much more to a sales strategy beyond the conventional industry wisdom.

Adapt your HVAC sales technique to your customers’ unique situation.

Let’s take a look at a few alternative ways to think about your sales techniques. Spoiler alert: you won’t hear us say, “This is the best way to sell!” We have worked with many successful HVAC contractors who have many different ways of closing sales.

Rather, our goal is to help you learn tips that you can apply in a variety of scenarios to help you grow your business.

Blame it on Beer

The Best Beer

Selling by offering good-better-best options is not unique to HVAC. In fact, the concept gained popularity after an experiment conducted by an MIT professor who spent time at a bar in the Boston area.
Continue reading “Is “Good, Better, Best” Always…Best?”

Causes of Poor Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

Pollutants, moisture, and ventilation can all impact the quality of air within, and surrounding homes, buildings, and structures. Understanding the causes of poor indoor air quality (IAQ) is the first step in identifying the best IAQ solutions for your customers.

Continue reading “Causes of Poor Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)”

Power Up Your HVAC Pricing Strategy

Man looking at paper surprised

As an HVAC contractor, managing your pricing has always been an important part of your business, but this past year had made it more critical than ever. Many contractors we have spoken to recently have described the perfect storm of challenges facing their businesses:

  • Strong demand for services, but continued lack of skilled labor
  • Equipment shortages creating delays and disruptions
  • Inflationary pressures increasing the cost of doing business

If you don’t play close attention to your pricing strategy, these factors can damage your profits and growth prospects.

Dial in Your Pricing Strategy

When your costs increase, whether it’s equipment or labor, it’s critical to have a strategy for how you incorporate those costs into your business. HVAC businesses are not alone in dealing with this problem. We’ve scanned the web for some expert advice, and found a few that are worth your time.

Continue reading “Power Up Your HVAC Pricing Strategy”

Get Personal with Digital HVAC Sales Techniques

Selling with digital tools does not have to be impersonal.

People looking at their mobile devices

It’s true: there is something special about a firm handshake and looking your customer in the eye. Especially when you’re discussing a large investment in a new HVAC system for their home.

But it’s also a misconception that going digital with your customer communications translates to being less personal. In fact, digital tools can help you further personalize your customer interactions in surprising ways!

Why Personalize?

A. Differentiate from the Competition

Your customers are often reviewing multiple proposals, and some may have lower prices than yours. By adding a personal touch, like a customized message to your customer, you set yourself apart from the other proposals your customer received. Continue reading “Get Personal with Digital HVAC Sales Techniques”

Series: Learn How To Use Our Website Like A Pro – Tip #12 Creating an Online Account

East Coast Metal Distributors customers can follow our self-service online account linking process to create an online account.

Go to www.ecmdi.com to create and account and gain access to valuable HVAC digital tools for ordering, product info, warranty look up, and more…available 24/7 on the mobile app or website.

If you do not have an online account follow the below steps to create one to gain access to ordering, inventory, invoices, and more!

Continue reading “Series: Learn How To Use Our Website Like A Pro – Tip #12 Creating an Online Account”

Tech Tips: What Every New HVAC Technician Should Know

Three simple tips for anyone who wants to be an HVAC tech

Haller Enterprises

Being new in any industry is daunting — but especially in the trades, where experience is invaluable. Many skills must be learned first-hand on the job and can take years to develop. However, experienced HVAC professionals have a wealth of industry knowledge and skill to share for the benefit of new technicians entering the field.

Seasoned technicians recently shared some trade skills and unique insights into how apprentices can set themselves up for success. Let’s look at three tips every new technician needs to consider before heading out on the job.

While more advanced tools are typically provided by employers few reliable everyday essentials in your tool kit will ensure you’re always prepared on the job.

Continue reading “Tech Tips: What Every New HVAC Technician Should Know”

Series: Learn How to Use the Website Like A Pro – Tip #11 Specials and Promotions

Top four ways to stay up to date with ECMD Promotions

East Coast Metal Distributors is dedicated to bringing you the best products and promotions. However, we know that staying up to date with each promotion can be a tedious task. Every month we feature something different; be it tools, parts, equipment, or other categories; and we encourage you to take advantage of these sales while they last. We work hard to highlight each promotion on multiple channels to ensure that all of our customers hear about our promotions.  Below, we list the top four ways you can stay up to date with our promotions:

Continue reading “Series: Learn How to Use the Website Like A Pro – Tip #11 Specials and Promotions”

Series: Learn How to Use the Website Like A Pro – Tip #9 Parts List

Do you repair or replace equipment? We know that when you are repairing equipment it is imperative you have the correct parts. Our parts look up tool has always been available on our mobile app but now you can look up parts on the website. Easily search and order parts for whatever repair or replacement you are working on. Want to get started today…. Easy. Login to your East Coast Metal Distributors account and follow these steps!




How to find parts list and look up parts:

  1. Search and find the item you are looking for a part for
  2. Once on the product page scroll down to the bottom of the page (you will find a section with description, specs, and parts list)
  3. Click on the parts list tab
  4. Click the drop down arrow and select the model number
  5. A list of parts for that model number will expand out
  6. If available for ordering you can add these items directly to your cart
  7. If not available for online ordering, no worries! Contact your local branch and they will look into ordering that part for you.

Still have questions? Contact your local salesperson or branch for additional assistance.