How the HVAC Professional can make money in the new green economy

A shoe company sends two sales reps to Australia. 

First salesman calls and says, "The natives do not wear shoes, there is not business here!"

The second salesman calls and says, "The natives do not wear shoes, there is plenty of business here!"

When you walk into your customer's home, positive attitude is everything.  You can say to yourself, these people have no money, the cannot afford a high efficiency system, or you can say, these people have no money, they cannot afford to NOT have a high efficiency system. 

You can differentiate yourself from the competition by becoming an energy professional.  The major goals of an energy specialists' work are to conserve energy increase efficiency and save money for the homeowner.  They should protect the environment by reducing harmful energy by products.  Energy professionals should increase comfort in the building, enhance the health and safety of the building's residents and increase public awareness of energy-saving products and procedures.

To accomplish their mission, energy auditors and technicians must understand basic energy principles.  Once understood in theory, these principles can better be applied in practice.  They must recognize all of a building's important energy saving opportunities and choose the most promising.  Then translate energy savings into dollars and compare projected savings with each energy conservation measure's cost.  A true energy professional knows about incentives, rebates, and the tax benefits available to customers.  They must explain conservation procedures and goals to building owners, fellow energy specialists and technicians.  It is very important to educate the building's residents about how they can use energy more efficiently and save money.  Finally, they should evaluate and measure the building's performance before and after the energy improvements.

Most importantly, we must remember that there has to be an "I" in ethics.  Never make recommendations that will not benefit the customer!

I have compiled a list of areas the HVAC professional can look to save the homeowner money.  If the return on investment (ROI) is less than 5 years, because everyone is moving in the next 5 years, it should be easy to schedule the repair.

Water (heat)

• water heater blanket
• insulate pipes
• on demand water heater

Water (conservation)

• low flow shower head
• low flow aerators
• water recirculation system

Home Heating

• programmable thermostat
• zoning system
• high efficiency

Home Heating (hydronic)

• insulate pipes
• condensing boiler
• auto air vent bleeders
• auto fill valve
• remove furniture at radiators
• reflective panels

Home Heating (warm air)

• condensing furnace
• modulating gas valve
• dual fuel system
• humidifier
• duct sealing
• duct insulation

Air Conditioning

• duct sealing
• routine maintenance
• clean filter
• ultra-violet light

Domestic Refrigerator

• clean condenser coil
• Refrigerator temperature 37-41
• freezer temperature 5
• door seal