A recent study found nearly two-thirds (64%) of Americans are seeking out — and willing to pay a premium for — sustainable products. This growing demand for eco-friendly solutions, along with the increasing popularity of financial incentives tied to renewable energy and efficient solutions, positions HVAC contractors to be in the driver’s seat to grow their business while recommending environmentally sound, energy-efficient solutions to their customers.

The following are a few insights to help HVAC contractors make an impact within their community while also increasing their business’ bottom line.

Optimizing Energy Use

One crucial avenue for HVAC contractors to achieve this win-win is to encourage the optimization of energy use. In 2022, a study found consumers are 26% more likely to buy from sustainable sources than they were even just two years before. This emphasis on sustainability can be attributed, in part, to a focus on cost savings. Contractors can emphasize to end users the long-term cost savings associated with sustainable HVAC solutions. By demonstrating how these systems can reduce energy bills, contractors can appeal to the rising number of sustainably minded, cost-conscious consumers as a primary means to grow their business. Both residential and commercial customers benefit from making the most efficient use of their HVAC systems.

A turnkey way for HVAC contractors to help enhance energy use is to showcase the benefits of a smart thermostat. For instance, most products from Rheem®, a global manufacturer of HVACR, can be paired with an EcoNet® Smart Thermostat to optimize system performance, saving energy, and reducing utility bills while also allowing the homeowner to make adjustments via a smartphone app. On the commercial side, studies affirm that up to 30% of building energy consumption can be slashed through precise sensing, effective controls and the deployment of advanced commercial building systems. By providing sustainable options, contractors can align themselves with their customers’ needs and attract a more significant share of the market.

For those who reside in regions with extreme temperatures, an HVAC contractor may recommend achieving energy optimization with a dual fuel system, such as a heat pump paired with a gas furnace. The system alternates between fuel sources, providing efficient heat in frigid climates while still aligning with a customer’s sustainability goals.

Additionally, contractors focused on responsible refrigerant piping, leak detection, and end-of-life disposal play a pivotal role. With exceptionally high environmental impact, fugitive refrigerant emissions are a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Decreasing these emissions represents one of our industry’s greatest opportunities to reduce our environmental footprint.

Green Business Practices and Profit Growth

Contractors can further strengthen their commitment to sustainability by purchasing parts, tools, and materials from sustainable companies. Conveying this commitment to customers can help influence purchasing decisions. Offering financing options to help customers invest in high-efficiency systems can also be a helpful business tool. This approach not only ensures customer satisfaction and loyalty but can also expand the contractor's client base, appealing to young homeowners and entrepreneurs who are keen on making eco-friendly choices and are often more budget-conscious. On average, 70% of consumers said they would pay more for brands that are environmentally responsible (IBM).

Manufacturers as Industry Stewards

HVAC contractors that embrace sustainable products and practices contribute to the well-being of our planet while also building their businesses through enhanced energy efficiency and reduced operational costs. With customers facing increasingly hotter temperatures, contractors can leave a legacy of environmental responsibility while providing cooling, cost-effective, and energy-efficient solutions.

Manufacturers can also play a key role by serving as unwavering industry partners, assisting HVAC contractors by providing sustainable solutions for their customers. Through innovative products, Energy Star certifications and sustainable initiatives, manufacturers play a pivotal part in growing contractors’ businesses while increasing the industry’s focus on environmental responsibility.

Rheem’s Sustainability Standout® seal, an example of an initiative undertaken by the company internally, is given to products based on several designated factors relating to product attributes, like energy efficiency, longevity, CO₂ reduction, and more. This seal helps professionals recommend responsible products and consumers make smart purchasing decisions.

To further empower HVAC contractors on their sustainability journey, industry partners, like Rheem, and associations, like North American Technician Excellence (NATE), offer valuable resources. These partnerships provide insights into new, eco-friendly solutions that resonate with customers and enhance profitability for the end-user as well as the contractor.

In the HVAC industry, sustainability isn't just a choice — it's a responsibility, an opportunity, and a path to a brighter, greener, and more profitable future.