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HRAI report
July 23, 2021

HRAI Research Project Explores Role for HVAC Contractors in Whole Home Energy Retrofits

HVACR contractors have long been in the business of helping customers solve problems relating to comfort, managing costs and managing health risks.  Going forward, the new challenge contractors will face – driven by Canada’s commitment to transition to a net zero carbon economy by 2050 – will be how to help their customers lower carbon emissions in their homes and buildings.  To meet this challenge will require some training, entrepreneurial know-how, business diversification and, most importantly, a shift in business culture.

A recent research project undertaken by HRAI with funding from The Atmospheric Fund (TAF) concludes that HRAI members are ready to embrace the opportunities that will come with de-carbonization, but they are not entirely sure how to act on these opportunities. Led by Climate Action Services Inc. (Lenard Hart), the research project included a survey of almost 100 contractors, a dozen in-depth interviews and a series of focus groups/workshops. The goal was to hear from contractors about the real and perceived barriers that block them from expanding their product and service offerings to include envelope (insulation) upgrades and other home energy upgrades, to better align their businesses to the emerging market that is being fostered through energy efficiency and carbon reduction programs.

Two key findings stood out from these discussions with contractors: 1) contractors are far more prepared to move into this space than was expected and, by their own admission, the barriers they point to are mostly psychological; and 2) the path to recognizing and acknowledging this readiness to expand only came through a process of “guided self-discovery.” Business owners in all workshops were initially skeptical about the need to change, but talked themselves into being supportive when they realized that all their self-defined barriers were actually quite easy to overcome with some training and adaptation.  The second finding will assist HRAI to develop programs and tools that will help contractors who are interested to navigate their way to becoming “whole home energy retrofit” contractors.

Keep reading this blog and download the report


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