Reportable Business Segments (Details 3) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Summary of capital expenditures by business segment
Total capital expenditures	$ 43.2	$ 45.8	$ 58.8
Residential Heating & Cooling [Member]
Summary of capital expenditures by business segment
Total capital expenditures	12.1	19.4	31.7
Commercial Heating & Cooling [Member]
Summary of capital expenditures by business segment
Total capital expenditures	6.5	6.2	6.8
Service Experts [Member]
Summary of capital expenditures by business segment
Total capital expenditures	0.8	0.8	0.7
Refrigeration [Member]
Summary of capital expenditures by business segment
Total capital expenditures	13.2	6.9	7.4
Corporate and Other [Member]
Summary of capital expenditures by business segment
Total capital expenditures	$ 10.6	$ 12.5	$ 12.2