The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) in cooperation with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) will offer a one-day workshop for residential HVAC contractors to help them incorporate the EnerGuide for Houses grant into their sales approach with their customers.

EnerGuide for Houses agents across Canada are said to be receiving hundreds of calls per week from homeowners, and HVAC contractors need to be prepared to answer customers' questions on the incentive program. This session would also be beneficial for all members of the HVAC supply chain.

HRAI has been working with a number of partners who have agreed to sponsor the workshops and in many cases help to promote the event. Sponsors to date include Energy Solutions Alberta, Terasen Gas, BC Hydro/Power Smart, Enbridge Gas New Brunswick, Sask Energy, and the Saskatchewan Office of Energy Conservation. Enbridge Gas Distribution has provided seminar material.

The January schedule is:

Vancouver - Jan. 22

Calgary - Jan. 23

The workshop will provide information on:

1. The EnerGuide for Houses Program;

2. EnerGuide for Houses Delivery Agent(s) in your province;

3. The "House as a System" approach to energy efficiency upgrades; and

4. How to sell high efficiency heating equipment.

The workshop leaders include:

A Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) representative who will provide an overview on how the EnerGuide for Houses Program works, the benefits, and eligibility criteria.

Gord Cooke of Air Solutions Inc., who will share his knowledge of sales in the HVAC industry and show attendees how to apply his principles to increase their bottom line.

Included with the workshop is lunch and refreshments. The fee is $75.00 for members and $100.00 for non-members.

For more information, contact Lynn Bartoshuk at 800-267-2231 ext. 230 or e-mail lbartoshuk@hrai.ca.

Publication date: 12/29/2003