EP158 Comfort, Co-ops, and Climate Care: Revolutionizing HVAC in Ontario With Victor Hyman (February 2024)

Building HVAC Science

Eric and Bill welcome Victor Hyman to the podcast. Victor is the Executive Director of Climate Care Cooperative, an Ontario-based HVAC contractors' cooperative focused on residential services. Victor explains that Climate Care has been operational since 1992, and he has been its Executive Director for three and a half years. He highlights the unique nature of a contractors' cooperative, detailing how it allows companies to share best practices, training, and financial benefits, likening the structure to a franchise system democratically controlled by its members.

Victor discusses the role of Climate Care in Ontario's HVAC sector, addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by the Canadian federal government's push for decarbonization and the promotion of heat pump technology through financial incentives such as the Greener Homes Initiative. He explains the regional focus of the cooperative's members in Ontario, emphasizing the province's clean energy grid and the impact of climate policies on HVAC practices and the adoption of heat pumps over traditional air conditioners. Victor also sheds light on the practical challenges faced by HVAC contractors, such as educating homeowners about energy efficiency and navigating government rebate programs.

The conversation then shifts to the strategies employed by Climate Care to communicate with customers and train members in understanding and addressing homeowners' needs effectively. Victor emphasizes the importance of preparing homeowners for equipment upgrades and promoting maintenance plans to ensure efficient and timely HVAC solutions. He also touches on the significance of leveraging utility data for accurate heat load calculations and the benefits of third-party endorsements in encouraging homeowners to adopt greener technologies. The podcast concludes with Victor sharing insights on the importance of understanding customer motivations and focusing on delivering comfort and cost savings, reinforcing the role of HVAC contractors as trusted advisors in the transition towards more sustainable home heating solutions.

Victor’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victorhyman/

https://www.climatecare.com/

This episode was recorded in February 2024.