Before peak heating season begins, now’s the time to start thinking about best business practices to ensure your employees don’t reach that dreaded burnout.
n Contractor’s Guide to Heat Pumps
n Surviving nine weeks of hell
n Case Study: Canadian hockey arena revamp
n Tarriff clean slate
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I believe that there’s three types of learners in this world — auditory, visual, and kinesthetic. You’d think that as an editor of a magazine, I’d lie somewhere between visual and auditory, but in reality, I am all kinaesthetic.
Over the years, I have had the privilege to learn from some of this industry’s best teachers. Yet, it isn’t until I am going through the notes from the event and putting pen to paper (let’s be realistic, it’s definitely more like fingertips to keys on a keyboard) that I start to actually understand what so many people have attempted to teach.
It is also why this new video series that this magazine has launched is so epically instructional and educational for this editor.
You’ve all heard me discuss the sanitary pit that I helped install, and can hear me almost vomit in the video that was posted to our social media accounts. Well, they’ve managed to get me back in the field again, but this time with a lot less almost hurling.
I had the chance to install a ductless heat pump in the training room of Pedco Supply in Mississauga, Ont., a few weeks ago. It’s one thing to read about these types of systems, but it’s a whole other beast to actually have my hands in the unit, connecting the electrical wires, watching the drilling through the exterior wall, and properly connecting the outdoor unit.
The amount of small, little details that have to be remembered is mind-boggling. Even if there is one small mistake or mishap, the entire efficiency of the system could be affected. Yet, from start to finish, the entire installation didn’t take more than four hours, and yes, I am acutely aware of the fact that it took that long simply because I was asking questions at every chance and slowing down the installer. Ask my parents, I have mastered the art of chatting and distracting other people from a very young age. They don’t say that “once I started to talk that I never shut up” without a reason.
As much as I learned from that one-day installation, which was a lot, it may come as no shock to anyone that I wouldn’t be able to replicate the installation on my own. I’m not ready yet to compete in the competitions I see every year at the AHR Expo just quite yet. But watch out. I’m competitive enough to say that give me a few more dozen of them to install, and just maybe I’ll at least step up and attempt.
Publisher Mark Vreugdenhil Cell: (416) 996-1031 mark@plumbingandhvac.ca
Editor Leah Den Hartogh Cell: (289) 830-1217 leah@plumbingandhvac.ca
Assistant Editor Francesco Lo Presti Cell: (647) 531-5697 francesco@plumbingandhvac.ca
Contributing Writers Glenn Mellors, Greg Scrivener, Michael Ridler, Ron Coleman
Design and Production
Samantha Jackson production@plumbingandhvac.ca All articles and photos by Plumbing & HVAC staff unless noted.
September 2025 Volume 34, Number 10 ISSN 1919-0395 PLUMBING & HVAC Magazine is published seven times annually by Marked Business Media Inc. and is written for individuals who purchase/ specify/approve the selection of plumbing, piping, hot water heating, fire protection, warm air heating, air conditioning, ventilation, refrigeration, controls and related systems and
From coast to coast, Canadian homes demand heating and cooling solutions built for year-round comfort. The LG Builder Series Heat Pumps deliver reliable performance at a price that fits today’s market—without compromising on quality or innovation. Whether for retrofits or new builds across Canada, the LG Builder Series Heat Pumps provide an affordable, reliable solution for builders and simplify installation for contractors. Available in capacities of 9,000, 12,000, 18,000, and 24,000 Btu/h.
Quiet yet powerful, the LG Builder Series Heat Pumps feature energy-saving inverter technology and a host of comfort-focused benefits:
Customizable Comfort: Features four-way auto swing, Natural Wind for natural airflow, and Jet Cool/Jet Heat for rapid temperature adjustment.
Convenient Controls: Includes a 24-hour on/off timer, auto changeover, auto restart, and sleep mode for effortless operation.
User-Friendly Features: Easily controlled via the included standard wireless remote. Temperature display on indoor unit.
Effective Defrost and Drainage: Defrost control and built-in base pan heater included. Built-in condensate sensor connection prevents overflow.
Reliable Operation: Supports heating down to -15°C, backed by LG’s trusted 10-Year Warranty.
By Leah Den Hartogh
“In this context and consistent with Canada’s commitment to the CanadaU.S.-MexicoAgreement(CUSMA),I’mannouncingtodaythattheCanadian government will now match the United States by removing all of Canada’s tariffsonU.S.goodsspecificallycoveredunderCUSMA,”sharesMarkCarney, prime minister of Canada, at a press conference on Aug. 22. “At this time, CanadahasthebestfreetradeagreementwiththeU.S.Yes,itisdifferentfrom past agreements. It is already better than what the U.S. has with every other country Weareensuringthatwewillsettleoutstandingtradematterswiththe U.S.duringthattime.Itiscriticalthatwedoeverythingwecantopreservethe onlyadvantagethatwehaveforCanadianworkersandtheirfamilies”
All retaliatory tariffsforCUSMAcompliantgoodsenteringintoCanada from the U.S. will officially be removed as of Sept. 1. Canada will maintain current tariffsonU.S.automotives,steel,andaluminum.“Thesituationwe’re in now is that Canada and the United States have reestablished free trade for the vast majority of our goods. Canada will retain our tariffs on steel, aluminum,andautosasweworkintensivelywiththeUnitedStatestoresolve theissuesthere,”explainsCarney.
A review process for CUSMA is due next year, with new consultations expected to start next month to assess Canadian priorities in the new global tradeenvironment.
Currently, the U.S. government and Donald Trump maintain a 35 per cent tariffona listofCanadiangoods,includingsteel,aluminum,autos,copper, lumber,andenergy.
In response to the announcement by Carney that all of Canada’s reciprocal tariffs are to be removed, the Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) has released a statement praising the government’s move. “HRAI would like to thank the prime minister for listening to our
industry and ensuring that retaliatory tariffs don’t further harm Canadian businesses, consumers, and the economy during the ongoing trade dispute. HRAI hopes that this will create an opening to once again return to a tarifffree trade relationship between Canada and the U.S,” states Sandy MacLeod, presidentofHRAI.
According to HRAI, the intent of the move is to reduce the economic hardship caused by tariffsforCanadianbusinessesandconsumers.“Wewill continue to analyze the impact of tariffsonourmemberstoensurethatwe have the best environment for businesses and our customers and continue engaging with the government of Canada to shape the future of the CanadaU.S.traderelationship.”
There is an overall sense of approval from the industry regarding the removal of counter tariffs.“WewelcomeOttawa’sdecisiontodropsomeof itsretaliatorytariffsonU.S.goods.Thisisastepintherightdirectionandwill take some of the pressure off Canadian small businesses as trade talks,” shares Corinne Pohlmann, executive vice president of advocacy at the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). “Many small business owners have told us that Canada’s retaliatory measures were almost as damaging as the U.S. tariffs themselves. Nearly six in 10 small firms report they were hurt by Canada’s counter-tariffs, with only steel and aluminum tariffs doing more harm. Those were not touched today, so the challenges for those businesses remain. While small firms were in favour of Canadian counter tariffs as the trade war began, their support has been fallingsinceFebruary.”
As we enter into a period of relief, there are still so many small businesses that have been hurt by the tariffs that were put in place. As such, CFIB is calling upon the federal government to release its tariff revenue to small businesses directlyandindirectlyaffectedbytradedisruptions.
By Leah Den Hartogh
Thecostofinstallingaheatpumpinmulti-unitresidentialbuildingshasjust become more affordable. Homeowners in B.C. have access to two new heat pump rebates provided by BC Hydro and CleanBC under the Energy SavingsCondoandApartmentsprogram.
ThroughtheBCHydrorebate,homeownerswhoreplacetheirexisting electric space heating/water heater with a heat pump/hot water heater can receivearebateofupto$3,250.WhileCleanBCcustomerscanreceiveupto $8,500forswitching.
Both rebates apply to apartments/condos/stacked townhomes (eligibility differs per program) and are limited to electric-to-electric upgrades only Installations also require a contractor who participates in the Home PerformanceContractorNetwork.
However, each rebate program has its own eligibility requirements. For the CleanBCrebate:
■ Household income and property value are considered.
■ Apartment eligibility is up to six storeys.
■ Heat pump rebates are up to $5,000 for mini and multi-split heat pumps.
■ Hot water heater rebates are up to $3,500.
■ Eligibility is open to residents with a BC Hydro or any municipal utility account.
For the BC Hydro rebate:
■ Household income and property value are not considered.
■ There are no storey restrictions for apartment buildings.
■ Heat pump rebates are $1,000 for mini-split heat pumps and $750 per head for multi-split heat pumps (maximum of three).
■ Hot water heater rebates are $1,000.
■ Eligibility is open to customers with a BC Hydro or city of New Westminster utility account.
A recorded webinar is available online with more information.
IBC is issuing a voluntary recall of its CX Series combi boilers. The issue with the boilers is related to higher-than-normal hot water temperatures during everydayuse,causingaburnhazard.
The models being recalled are the CX-199 and CX-150, manufactured explicitlybetweenApril2023andApril2024.
To fixthisissue,IBCstatesthat,“effectiveimmediately,allCX Seriesunits willincludeupdatedinstallationguidelinesrequiringtheuseofathermostatic mixing valve, all existing CX boilers in service must be retrofitted with a thermostatic mixing valve, and it will provide the CX Recall Field Kit: Part# P-1639freeofcharge.”
Customers with these boiler units are being asked to stop using them and to contact IBC to schedule a free in-home repair. Customers can check their product’smodelnumberontheupperleft-handcorneroftheunit.
Health Canada adds that IBC reported 876 units of the affectedproducts were sold in Canada, and 1,102 were sold in the United States. As of Aug. 7, therehavebeennoreportsofincidentsorinjuriesinCanadaortheU.S.A.
Health Canada is issuing a warning and recall for the Solstice/Jacuzzi 85K BTU heat pump model S85 due to overheating, which can pose a fire risk in certain weather conditions when the water temperature is set above 90 F (32 C).
The models being recalled are the Jacuzzi JA85, JAP85 and the Solstice S85. These models are used to provide heating to swimming pools, and Health Canada adds that 3,300 units were sold in Canada between 2019 and 2023.
Customers with affected heat pumps are being asked to register for repairs on the official website. While waiting for repairs, Health Canada recommends that customers with these models maintain their pool temperature below 32 degrees.
As of July 22, there have been five reports of thermal events in Canada, and no reports of injuries.
Navien introduces its full line of HVAC products, featuring new NAZ Heat Pumps, NAS Air Handlers, NAM Cased Coils, and other forced-air components. Deliver a whole-home AHRI matched Navien comfort system when pairing with the NPF Hydro-furnace, including a powerful dual-fuel system with gas-powered NPF and the NAZ Heat Pump.
To learn more about Navien HVAC comfort, visit us at navieninc.com NEW NAZ Air-to-air heat pump inverter-driven heating and cooling systems
residential building construction grew by 0.2 per cent. The non-residential sector building construction fell by 0.6 per cent in the second quarter of 2025.
It wasn’t a very good month for the residential and non-residential sectors in June when it comes to the number of building permits issued.
In fact, the total value of building permits issued in Canada decreased by nine per cent to $12 billion, reports Statistics Canada. Losses were seen in both the residential and non-residential sectors.
Specifically, the non-residential sector led the decline, down $863.6 million to $4.9 billion, primarily due to Ontario’s institutional component, which decreased by $1.4 billion. In the previous month, Ontario’s institutional
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component led the gains in the non-residential sector.
Commercial construction intentions dropped by $87.4 million, led by British Columbia (down $38.9 million) and Nova Scotia (down $33.9 million). However, the industrial component grew by $192.7 million in June. The increase was led by Quebec (up $136.4 million) and Ontario (up $78.1 million).
Residential construction intentions fell by $318 million to $7.1 billion in June. The overall decline was led by British Columbia’s multi-family component, down $486.8 million. The singlefamily construction intentions fell by $173.5 million to $2.4 billion, driven by Ontario (down $91.1 million) and followed by Alberta (down $36.9 million).
In the second quarter of 2025, the total value of building permits fell $1.9 billion to $36.7 billion. Residential construction intentions in the second quarter fell by 15 per cent, while construction
intentions in the non-residential sector grew by $2 billion to $15 billion (a record high) in the second quarter.
Plumbing and HVAC material costs across the residential sector increased during the second quarter of 2025. Statistics Canada’s Building Construction Price Index reports that the cost of plumbing materials increased by 3.7 per cent and HVAC materials increased by three per cent.
Across all 15 census metropolitan areas (CMAs), residential building construction costs rose in the second quarter of 2025 by 3.7 per cent. Specifically, Québec saw the largest increase (up 3.4 per cent),
followed by Regina (up 2.8 per cent), London (up 2.5 per cent), Montréal (up 2.4 per cent), and Calgary (up 0.4 per cent). Toronto recorded the lowest quarterly growth (up 0.2 per cent).
In the non-residential sector, the construction costs rose by four per cent in the 15 CMAs.
Québec also led the way for construction cost growth in the non-residential sector (up 3.4 per cent), followed by Montréal (up 2.6 per cent), and London (up 2.5 per cent) in the second quarter of 2025. Victoria (up 0.9 per cent) and Halifax (up 0.7 per cent) recorded the smallest increases.
As a whole, residential construction costs increased by one per cent in the second quarter of 2025 compared to the first quarter’s 0.9 per cent increase. Material construction costs in the non-residential sector rose by 1.6 per cent, which surpassed the first quarters one per cent increase.
The report highlights that, “Tariffs imposed by the United States and the countermeasure tariffs implemented by Canada on certain imports from the United States have increased volatility in both pricing and availability of certain materials.”
25_008061_Plumbing_And_Hvac_SEP_CN Mod: August 19, 2025 8:54 AM Print: 08/20/25 page 1 v2.5
By Glenn Mellors
The summer months tend to be like hell for heating and air conditioning contractors in Canada. Add to the fact that across the country, provinces and territories are dealing with hotter than normal temperatures this year.
From June to August, it is a relentless, high-stakes HVAC summer season. The phones never stop. The heat index seemed to climb higher every day. Our crew worked long hours, sweating through call after call, juggling emergency breakdowns, impatient customers, and equipment shortages.
The most intense stretch is behind us, but the story doesn’t end here. If all we do is breathe a sigh of relief and return to business as usual, we’ll lose the opportunity to make this experience a turning point.
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It’s about that time of year again where HVAC/R tradespeople are between busy summer air conditioning season and peak fall heating season. Now’s the time to take stock of what has and hasn’t worked over the past peak season.
Continued from page “15”
This is our time to reflect, recover, and rebuild — so, that the next time we deal with these nine weeks from hell is easier, more profitable, and less draining.
The first step should always be to celebrate the wins and the people behind them — recognition matters. The work we did during this period wasn’t just technical; it was physical, mental, and emotional endurance. People stepped up in ways that can’t be measured in invoices or installation numbers.
Some of the best ways to celebrate is by organizing a team lunch or BBQ — give everyone a break, good food, and a chance to laugh about the war stories from this summer.
Another option is to share short write-ups about employees who went above and beyond, whether it was tackling a 14hour day without complaint or finding a clever workaround to save a customer’s comfort.
A small, meaningful thank-you goes a long way. Gift cards, extra time off, or a personal handwritten note from management can go further than a generic “good job.”
People who feel appreciated will come back next season ready to give the same effort again, without burning out.
This one isn’t as enjoyable, but still needed — conduct a brutal, honest debrief. While the memories are fresh, we need to ask, “What went right, what went wrong, and what simply didn’t exist that should have?”
Some questions to guide the debrief: Did we have enough technicians, installers, and support staff? Did we schedule effectively, or were we constantly playing catch-up? Were parts and equipment readily available, or did we lose time and jobs because of supply shortages? Did any service calls get delayed or redone due to a lack of technical knowledge? Were there moments when technicians didn’t feel fully prepared for the problem? Did our office staff and dispatchers keep customers informed well enough to avoid frustration? Did we promise timelines we couldn’t meet? Did we capture every billable hour, part, and service? Were any discounts given unnecessarily? Hold this meeting with open minds and no blame. The goal is to find solutions not finger pointing. It’s alright to be a bit uncomfortable. This is the time when the most growth occurs.
Fix what needs to be done
The calm after the storm is the perfect time to put these fixes in place. If we wait until the next hot season, we’ll be scrambling again. This is the time to hire and train ahead of time. If we need more technicians, start the hiring process now. Train them on the systems, customer service, and safety before they
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We’ve just made it through the nine weeks of summer hell. What have you learned from this season to make the next one easier on your technicians?
"The nine weeks from hell is a badge of honour. We endured it, learned from it, and proved we have the grit to handle whatever the season throws at us. But survival isn’t the goal — thriving is. By celebrating our team, fixing our weak spots, preventing burnout, and staying proactive, we set ourselves up not only for the next summer but for every challenge in between."
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Continued from page “17”
face the chaos of summer.
Build relationships with your suppliers now and create a backup supply plan. Pre-order critical parts before demand spikes. Take a look at your scheduling efficiency and implement routing software or review scheduling practices to reduce wasted drive time and balance workloads better.
Lastly, offer fall and winter skills training, especially for common high season repair issues, so our technicians will be razor-sharp by next summer.
When these nine straight weeks of extreme demand start to take its toll on your employees, this is when its time to start thinking forward towards wellness follow-up ideas. Burnout doesn’t vanish just because the weather cools — rotate on-call duties more evenly to avoid the same technicians shouldering the load repeatedly.
Another good practice would be to start scheduling check-in meetings. This wouldn’t be just about work orders, but about how people are actually feeling and what they need to stay motivated. A team that feels cared for will not only stay longer but will also perform better.
The perfect time to implement some of these newer initiatives is during the post-summer months. Use this breathing room to push maintenance agreements and get your customers locked in for fall furnace tune-ups and spring air conditioning checks.
Take a look at your marketing plans and use this time to make upgrades. Highlight your summer success stories and customer testimonials to build trust before the next busy season. Offer training to customers and teach them simple maintenance tips to reduce preventable breakdowns (and earn goodwill). This is also the best time to chase projects that were delayed during the summer chaos — system upgrades, ductwork improvements, and energyefficiency retrofits.
We know it’s coming again — it’s just a question of when. So, let’s build a repeatable plan. Start with pre-season kickoff meetings every May to assign roles, review emergency protocols, and check inventory. Pre-book vacation schedules to ensure coverage without last-minute shortages.
Creating a seasonal equipment checklist allows for trucks to be stocked with the most common summer repair items. Make sure to create a clear overtime policy so that technicians know exactly what’s expected, and management can budget accordingly.
As the summer months wind down and the heat is starting to shift to that enjoyable chilly fall weather, it’s the perfect time to follow up with customers and earn those loyalty points.
Send a thank you email or postcard to customers who were served over the summer season. Maybe even include a discount or special offer for future services.
Request reviews and strike while the experience is fresh in their minds. Positive online feedback now will help bring in more customers later. Survey customers about their experience. This not only gives us insight but also shows we care about improving.
When the pace slows, the culture we built during the storm either solidifies
or slips. We must be intentional in reinforcing our values. Keep collaboration strong even when stress is low. Whether it’s a small repair or a major installation, quality matters year-round. The compassion we showed in July should be the same in October.
The nine weeks from hell is a badge of honour. We endured it, learned from it, and proved we have the grit to handle whatever the season throws at us. But survival isn’t the goal — thriving is. By celebrating our team, fixing our weak spots, preventing burnout, and staying proactive, we set ourselves up not only for the next summer but for every challenge in between.
The heat may have faded, but the momentum we built doesn’t have to. If we take these next steps seriously, the next nine weeks from hell won’t feel like hell at all — it’ll feel like just another chance to show what we can do.
Glenn Mellors was born into a plumbing family and started in the industry in 1973. He entered the HVAC side of the business in the 80s, working in wholesale, and then joined Lennox in 1992. In 2008 he joined the ClimateCare Co-operative Corporation, an Ontario contractor group, where he is director of training and implementation. Glenn can be reached at gmellors@climatecare.com.
Ensure your HVAC/R appliances, equipment, and components are certified to meet the latest regulatory requirements utilizing low global warming refrigerants. Intertek’s experts are here to help you through the process and outline certification requirements for flammable refrigerants.
+1 800 WORLDLAB (967 5352) icenter@intertek.com Intertek.com/HVACR FOR MORE INFORMATION
Powered by electricity and CO2 (non-toxic R744 refrigerant), Aegis delivers reliable hot water up to 170°F at temperatures as low as -4°F.
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Taco Comfort Solutions, Cranston, Rhode Island, introduces its HS series horizontal split case pumps to market. Designed to maximize power savings while minimizing operating costs, these pumps are ideal for commercial and industrial applications. Pump performance can go from 83 to 2,201 gpm, and there are four models available, ranging from 10 HP to 100 HP. The HS series pumps feature a short shaft design and are built with a mechanical seal and bearings.
Taco Comfort Solutions u www.tacocomfort.com
Armstrong Fluid Technology, Toronto, Ont., introduces two new model sizes of its Compass R circulators, 40-85 and 60-50. These circulators are designed to replace existing fixed-speed circulators and can be considered a universal energy upgrade for circulators in their capacity range and installation profile. Features of the Compass R circulators include a permanent magnet motor with design envelope variable speed technology, posi-start technology, and bolt-for-bolt compatibility with a wide range of installed circulators.
Armstrong Fluid Technology u www.armstrongfluidtechnology.com
Uponor, Mississauga, Ont., debuts its commercial stainless-steel manifold to market. The steel manifold can deliver up to 48 gpm and is ideal for radiant heating and cooling, snow and ice melting, and permafrost prevention. The steel manifold features high-flow meters, large ball valves, and preassembled configurations for improved system performance. Uponor u www.uponor.com
Nibco, Elkhart, Indiana, announces that the new Webstone Y-pattern thermostatic mixing valves (TMV) are available for customers. The Y-pattern TMV are available in two temperature ranges for water distribution systems and high-temperature hydronic applications. The mixing valves feature end connection options such as PEX, FIP, MIP, sweat, push, and press, in sizes ranging from 1/2-inch to 1-inch. All products feature lead-free, dezincification-resistant brass and are suitable for plumbing and heating applications.
Nibco u www.webstonevalves.com
Allied Air Enterprises, West Columbia, South Carolina, announces the new Armstrong Air and AirEase Pro Series A7CP21V all-climate heat pump, which features a design engineered to help create the ideal indoor environment, regardless of the season. The heat pump features advanced all-climate technology, 2025-compliant refrigerant, and can achieve ratings of up to 21 SEER2 and 10 HSPF2, even in outdoor temperatures as low as 5 F.
Allied Air Enterprises u www.alliedair.com
Bosch Home Comfort, Watertown, Massachusetts, unveils its new R-454B versions of its Bosch inverted ducted package (IDP) Plus and IDP Premium heat pump product line. The IDP Plus delivers efficiency at the standard 16-SEER2 efficiency level and is available in three-ton and five-ton models. While the IDP Premium, also available in three-ton and five-ton models, features an inverter compressor that operates at 33 per cent to 114 per cent speed and modulates in one per cent increments.
Bosch Home Comfort u www.boschhomecomfort.com
The stars have aligned. Discover 100% capacity and 100% performance down to -30°C.
Like the Orion Constellation brightening the winter night sky, the Fujitsu AIRSTAGE Orion XLTH+ Series stands out as a brilliant star for heating performance...even in the harshest climates. While others fade in extreme cold, Orion shines brighter, delivering more than 100% capacity even at -30°C. The new Orion XLTH+…a star performer in extreme weather.
• Beyond 100% Performance at -30°C – No derating, just powerful, consistent heating.
• No Lockout Temperature – Unlike other systems, Orion keeps running in relentless cold.
• ProCore™ Corrosion-Resistant Technology – Built to endure and perform.
• Advanced Defrost Cycle – Reduces downtime, maximizing comfort and efficiency.
• Flexible Installation – Designed for seamless integration into a variety of applications.
Orion XLTH+...the stellar performer in low-temperature heating.
-30°C
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Get an understanding of what the homeowner’s needs and expectations are regarding their heating/cooling system.
■ Understanding what the homeowner is after will help direct the solution that you end up selling.
■ Get to know your customer. Take your time and listen. The longer the meeting with the customer, the greater the chance the next meeting is the installation date.
■ The sales process of a heat pump isn’t different than any other product; there needs to be an understanding of what the customer’s needs, wants, and desires are.
■ Are they energy-focused? Are they green-focused? Are they comfort-focused? Or are they price-focused? Balancing these desires will ultimately drive the equipment selection.
The best installs start with the best products. That’s why TML partners with the HVAC brands known for reliability, innovation, and long-term performance.
Our shelves are stocked with top-tier equipment— and our people are trained to help you get the most from it. Whether you need help choosing the right solution or getting it to site same-day, we make your next install smarter, faster, and better backed.
We stock the best so you can install with confidence.
■ Heat pumps are extremely efficient and can produce more heat from the amount of energy consumer compared to other heating/cooling sources.
■ When comfort is of the utmost importance, focus on its ability to provide consistent and predictable indoor temperatures.
■ Reduce carbon emissions from your home by going to an electric heating/cooling system instead of the traditional fossil fuel system.
■ The upfront cost of a heat pump costs more than traditional heating/cooling systems; there are rebates, loans, and grants available to offset these costs.
■ Ontario homeowners can save $10,000 or more over the lifetime of their equipment when switching to an airsourced heat pump.
■ Think of it like a hybrid car. If you buy a hybrid car and are driving it down the road and go from 0 kms to 50 kms all within 3.8 seconds, you aren’t going to see much energy savings. It’ll be running all on gas.
■ Conversely, if you go from 0 kms to 50 kms, over the span of 90 seconds, the gas engine isn’t going to come on.
■ A modern inverter heat pump is able to modulate to ensure that its output matches the heat loss of the house, improving efficiency and comfort over a single- or two-stage furnace.
This initiative, run by HRAI, is a pilot program in Ontario that creates a database of contractors who meet a predetermined set of criteria that confirms their commitment to selling, installing, and servicing heat pumps, and verifies their competence with the technology. HRAI has created this reliable and helpful mechanism through the Contractor Locator to help homeowners and building owners find qualified and enthusiastic HVAC contractors who understand the benefits of heat pumps and know how to install and service such systems.
Sign up at https://www.hrai.ca/hpca
Confirm if your company holds all appropriate licenses and certifications to install, maintain, and repair heat pumps.
Explain your sizing process and do all the testingappropriate for heat loss/ gain.
1 4 7 8 5 6 9 2 3
Show evidence of training from heat pump manufacturers.
Confirm your commitment to having a licensed 313A or 313D technician on site.
Are you a Heat Pump Champion?
Promote and share references/ ratings from happy customers.
Explain product recommendations tailored to customer analysis. Give two to three options.
Discuss financing and ask how the customer plans to pay for the job. Explain loan options and add any other financing options you offer.
Discuss rebates and how your company can aid in the application. See Page 36.
Ask for their consent to hire your company for the job. If the customer hesitates to commit, find out the objection and determine ways to overcome it.
Ask if that makes sense to them now and ask again for their permission to move ahead. Listening to your customer is vital in every sales call and addressing their specific concerns will result in more sales for you.
Oil-to-Heat Pump Affordability Program
Incentive: This grant provides upfront payment of up to $10,000 for low-income households to transition from oil to heat pump systems.
Eligibility: Households that qualify as low-income based on eligibility requirements, who have purchased at least 500 litres of oil for home heating in the past year.
Canada Greener Homes Loan
Incentive: This program offers a 10-year, interest-free loan ranging from $5,000 to $40,000 to finance retrofit projects to improve home energy efficiency.
Eligibility: Individual eligibility is based on approved credit and must have a pre-retrofit evaluation and haven’t completed a post-retrofit evaluation.
Type of project: Energy efficiency retrofits, including upgrades to insulation, air sealing, and space and water heating.
Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program
Incentive: This program replaces the Greener Homes Grant by offering rebates for energy efficiency home retrofits. Funding is anticipated to be delivered in the first half of 2025.
Eligibility: Low- and medium-income households.
Type of project: Purchase and installation of energy efficient windows, appliances, heat pumps, and more.
Energy Savings Program: Heat Pump Rebates
Incentive: Up to $24,500 for a heat pump installation.
Eligibility: B.C. citizens who live in an eligible home, meet income qualification requirements, and have residential utility accounts with BC Hydro, FortisBC, or municipal utility. Program-eligible products vary by upgrade type and must be installed by a program registered contractor. The property must be a year-round primary residence that is at least 12 months old.
Type of Project: Single-family homes and suites in single-family homes, mobile homes, duplexes, triplexes, 4-5 unit multiplexes, row homes, and side-by-side townhomes.
CleanBC Northern Heat Pump Rebate Offer
Incentive: Up to $8,000.
Eligibility: The home must be a year-round primary residence that is at least 12 months old. Single-family homes (detached dwelling), secondary suite in a single-family home with its own separate utility metre, mobile home that is permanently fixed and is structurally complete with the towing apparatus and axle removed, and duplexes, triplexes, row homes, or townhomes. The home must be primarily heated with natural gas or piped propane supplied by Pacific Northern Gas, natural gas supplied by FortisBC, or oil or tank propane.
Type of Project: B.C. citizens who live in an eligible home located north of and including the district of 100 Mile House and have residential utility accounts with BC Hydro.
Energy Savings Program Condo and Apartment Rebate
Incentive: up to $8,500.
Eligibility: Rebate coverage is based on the combined income of all adults in the home and how many people live in the home, including adults and children. The new heat pump must replace an existing primary heating system, have a variable speed compressor, and provide 100 per cent of the heating load requirements for the area served by the heat pump down to -5 C design temperature.
Type of Projects: Apartment or suites in a multi-unit residential building. Apartment buildings up to 6 storeys, including market rental, strata condominium, and equity co-op buildings. Eligible buildings must have shared common area lighting and heating, and shared hallways or elevators.
Incentive: Offering a broad range of rebates to homeowners mostly for retrofitting existing homes to improve energy efficiency as well as a few incentives for building and renovating.
Eligibility: Residential homes in B.C.
Types of projects: Retrofits to improve a home’s energy efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint, such as installing a heat pump, purchasing appliances, adding insulation, and installing new windows and doors. Tax rebates and partial refunds on insurance premiums are also offered for those building or renovating.
Incentive: Up to $5,000 for opportunity assessment; up to $30,000 for feasibility study; rebates for equipment.
Eligibility: Multi-unit residential buildings.
Type of project: Funding for development costs and upgrades to heat pumps, windows, lighting, water heating, solar panels and batteries.
Incentive: This program provides up to $4,000 with a whole home heating rebate, or up to $1,500 with a partial heating rebate, when replacing an electric space heating system with a highefficiency air-source heat pump.
Eligibility: Single-family home, duplex, triplex, row home, townhouse or mobile home that is a primary residence with a residential FortisBC natural gas account.
From coast to coast, Canadian homes demand heating and cooling solutions built for year-round comfort. The LG Builder Series Heat Pumps deliver reliable performance at a price that fits today’s market—without compromising on quality or innovation. Whether for retrofits or new builds across Canada, the LG Builder Series Heat Pumps provide an affordable, reliable solution for builders and simplify installation for contractors. Available in capacities of 9,000, 12,000, 18,000, and 24,000 Btu/h.
Type of project: Installation of a new heat pump by an approved contractor to replace an existing hard-wired electrical heating system, which is the primary heating system.
Incentive: A different approach to finance efficiency upgrades and renewable energy upgrades. The project financing is attached to the property tax bill, so repayments are made to the municipality. The benefit to this approach is access to competitive interest rates, long repayment terms (up to 20 years for some upgrades), and paying off the project’s balance at any time.
Eligibility: Owners of residential or commercial properties in participating municipalities. Must complete and submit pre-qualification form prior to any work completion. Once pre-qualified, an EnerGuide home evaluation must be completed. A qualified contractor from a directory much be chosen for any upgrades (recommended to get at least three quotes). From there, the next step is to complete and submit the project application form and provide the required supporting documentation. Once the project is approved, sign the clean energy improvement and project agreements.
Type of Project: Residential properties looking to upgrade HVAC/R equipment, renewable energy, solar photovoltaic, and thermal storage, custom designs, air sealing, and water heating.
Incentive: A different approach to finance efficiency upgrades and renewable energy upgrades. The project financing is attached to the property tax bill, so repayments are made to the municipality. The benefit to this approach is access to competitive interest rates, long repayment terms (up to 20 years for some upgrades), and paying off the project’s balance at any time.
Eligibility: Owners of commercial properties in participating municipalities. Must complete and submit pre-qualification form prior to any work completion with an ASHRAE Level 2 audit report or a quote to show that an audit has been booked and a full feasibility study for any renewable energy
upgrades planned.
Type of Project: General commercial property for business activities, non-designated industrial property, farmland, and special purpose property owners looking to upgrade HVAC/R equipment, renewable energy, solar photovoltaic, and thermal storage, water heating, commercial kitchens, air sealing, and motors and drives.
There is currently no rebates or incentives for heat pumps for residents in the province of Saskatchewan.
Energy Efficiency Assistance Program
Incentive: Free energy efficiency upgrades for income qualifying households. Upgrade to a high-efficiency gas furnace from a standard efficiency furnace for $9.50 per month for 5 years or from a mid-efficiency furnace for $25 per month for 5 years. Get a $5,000 rebate when upgrading from a standard efficiency boiler to a high efficiency boiler. Get an air-source heat pump for $30 per month or a ground-sourced heat pump for $50 per month, both over the span of 10 years when retrofitting a home with an electric furnace, baseboard heater, or electric boiler.
Eligibility: The program applies to individuals who are a homeowner, home renter, or landlord. The amount of a rebate is determined based off household income. For example, in a 4 person home, the total income would have to equal $84,239. Type of project: The home must be a single-detached or semi-detached home, and be lived-in year-round.
The Continental EQ®Fusion Hybrid Solution combines a high efficiency heat pump with a hydronic air handler, all intelligently managed by the EQ®Hub Smart Thermostat for unmatched comfort and energy efficiency.
• Smart electric/gas switching
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• Backup heat & compressor protection
• Auto fuel selection by utility rates
*Energy savings vary by region, configuration, and usage patterns.
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SCAN TO LEARN MORE
Enbridge Gas Home Winterproofing Program
Incentive: This program provides free energy efficient upgrades to winter-proof homes based on household income or receiving government assistance.
Eligibility: People living in homes heated by Enbridge natural gas, either falling within certain household income levels or receiving government assistance through certain programs. Type of project: Upgrades to insulation, draft proofing, and smart thermostats.
Home Renovation Savings Program
Incentive: One or more upgrade: up to $12,000 for cold-climate air-source or ground-source heat pumps; up to $5,000 for solar panels, plus to option to bundle with battery storage for an additional rebate, up to $5,000; $75 towards a smart thermostat, before or after purchased. No home energy assessment required.
Two or more upgrades: $500 for heat pump water heaters, $100 per rough opening for windows and doors; up to $250 for air sealing; up to $1,500 for attic insulation; up to $2,300 for foundation insulation; $300 for exposed floor insulation; up to $3,600 for exterior wall insulation. A home energy assessment is required prior to upgrades.
Eligibility: Owners of single detached or semi-detached homes, row/townhouses, and mobile homes on a permanent foundation. Must be an Enbridge Gas customer with an active account and primarily heat the home with a natural gas furnace or boiler, or be connected to the Ontario electricity grid and heat your home with electricity, propane, oil, or wood.
Enbridge Gas Home Efficiency Rebate
Incentive: This rebate provides up to $5,000 for home energy efficiency upgrades for people living in homes with natural gas supplied by Enbridge Gas.
Eligibility: Enbridge natural gas customers living in detached and semi-detached homes, row homes, townhomes and mobile homes on permanent foundations more than six months old. Type of project: Home energy assessment and subsequent efficiency upgrades to insulation, air sealing, heat pumps, windows and doors.
Save on Energy Home Energy Saver Program
Incentive: $2,500 to $5,000 for air-source heat pumps or $10,000 for ground-source heat pumps
Eligibility: Owners of a single-family dwelling, semi-detached home, duplex, rowhouse, townhouse or apartment/condo in a building three storeys or shorter, located within the eligible area, built before March 2024, heated primarily by electric.
Type of project: Installation of a mini-split, multi-splits, central air source heat pump, or groundsource heat pump, and a smart thermostat.
LogisVert Efficient Homes Program
Incentive: up to $6,700 rebate.
Eligibility: Must be the owner of an eligible home. The complete system per housing unit may include a central, air-to-air split-system heat pump that includes one indoor unit and one outdoor unit, or a wall-mounted, air-to-air mini-split heat pump that includes one or more indoor units and one outdoor unit.
Type of Project: House (single-family, semi-detached, row house, mobile home, four-season cottage), condo, multiplex, residential building with no more than 19 units or apartment in a residential building with 20 units or more located in Québec, suitable for year-round living and that receives its electricity from the Hydro-Québec grid or from an off-grid, municipal or cooperative system.
Government of Québec Chauffez Vert Program
Incentive: Up to $1,275 in financial assistance for the replacement of an oil or propane central heating system with an electric or renewable energy heating system; amount depends on type of home and heating system.
Eligibility: Owners of single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes and multi-unit residential buildings with no more than three storeys and a maximum area of 600 sq. m.
Type of project: Dismantling of an oil or propane central heating system and water heater,
removal of the tank and replacement with a central heating system powered by electricity or another renewable energy source.
Newfoundland Power’s Financing Plans
Incentive: up to $10,000 for electric heating systems and heat pumps for a maximum term of financing of 60 months.
Eligibility: Available to current residential customers of Newfoundland Power who own the premise. Customers who are renting or have a rental purchase agreement are not eligible. Financing is available upon credit approval.
Type of Project: Ductless mini and multi split heat pumps, central ducted air-source heat pumps, and ground-source heat pumps.
Efficiency Nova Scotia: Home Heating System Rebates
Incentive: up to $2,000 in rebates to upgrade a heating system to heat pumps, electric thermal storage, or woodstoves.
Eligibility: Available for homes in Nova Scotia that are at least 6 months old and are used as a primary residence. Equipment must be new, installed, and in service. All peripheral equipment required to operate the system must also be installed. Existing single-family homes used year-round, including detached homes, row houses, duplexes, individual condo units and mobile homes. The final deadline to submit applications for the rebate program is Dec. 21, 2025. Applications must be received within 180 days of installation.
Total Home Energy Savings Program
Incentive: Central ducted air-source heat pump receives $1,500; mini-split heat pump receives $400; multizone heat pump receives $350 per indoor head; furnace heat pump add on receives $1,000; and lastly, geothermal heat pump receives $2,000.
Eligibility: Legal residential property owners, no more than 3 storeys high, smaller than 600 m2. Single-family homes, detached, side-by-side, or row homes are eligible. In addition, manufactured homes, mobile homes, or mini homes on a permanent foundation. Buildings that participated in any Efficiency NB’s programs or NB Power’s Home Insulation Energy Savings program that still need upgrades.
Type of Project: Residential properties with homes that are occupied year-round.
Point of Sale Heat Pump Rebate
Incentive: $900 point of sale rebate on each eligible mini-split heat pump installed in a home. Eligibility: To be eligible for an instant rebate, you must be installing a heat pump in a home you own. The home must be a single family detached residence. The heat pump must be installed in a previously heated space. New construction is ineligible, so the home must have been inhabited for at least six months. Must be listed with Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships Cold Climate Air-Source Heat Pump (NEEP ccASHP) specification.
efficiencyPEI
Incentive: Mini-split air-source heat pumps are eligible for up to $900 for the regular rebate and up to $1,800 for the low-income rebate. Central air-source heat pumps, whether air-to-air or air-to-water, can receive up to $2,500 for the regular rebate and up to $4,500 for low-income rebates. Ground-source heat pumps can receive up to $4,000 for the regular rebate and up to $7,500 for the low-income rebate.
Eligibility: You must apply within a year of installation and own the property where the equipment was installed. As of June 2, residential rental property owners (landlords) can also apply for rebates through this program. To be eligible for a low-income rebate, the property where the equipment is installed must be your primary residence.
■ The correct equipment size has been determined
■ The expectation of the customer is understood
■ The feasibility of the type of system has been set
Now is the time to put everything that has been learned together into a proper quote. A fully comprehensible quote should include things like the specifications of the job, any additional costs, and the terms and conditions.
This is why a proper sales consultation should last somewhere around 2 hours. A best practice would be to provide the customer with a tiered solution for their home’s heating and cooling needs. Think of it like a Good, Better, and Best offering. As the customer moves through the tiers, the list should get longer as the value goes up. That’s how you allow for the customer to make the best educated decision.
Here is a list of components that could be included in a proper quote:
Equipment Recommendations:
■ Include model number and specifications
■ Efficiency ratings (SEER2 and HSPS)
■ Breaking down the sizing
■ Type of compressor (singlestage, two-stage, or variable speed)
■ Back-up heat recommendations
■ Extra material costs
Additional Services
■ Preventative maintenance plans
System Recommendations:
■ Thermostat configuration/ upgrades
■ Upgrades to electrical panel
■ Upgrades to ductwork
■ Filters and UV options
■ Control upgrades
Warranties:
■ Labour
■ Parts
■ Manufacturer-specific
■ All required labour
■ All required permits
■ Removal of old equipment
■ Will you be providing assistance with rebates and loan programs?
■ Confirm date of install
■ Determine a payment schedule and financing options Services
■ Model #: 1234A
■ Efficiency (Cooling): up to 16 SEER2
■ Efficiency (Heating): up to 7.8 HSPS
■ Compressor: single stage
■ Noise level: 70 dB
■ Energy Star Qualified: No
■ Capacity: 2 Ton
■ Humidity Control: No
■ Basic Thermostat Control
■ MERV 8 Filter
■ All Required Labour
■ All Required Permits
■ Limited Manufacturer Warranty: 10-year parts
■ Model #: 1234B
■ Efficiency (Cooling): up to 18 SEER2
■ Efficiency (Heating): up to 8.5 HSPS
■ Compressor: two-stage
■ Noise level: 65 dB
■ Energy Star Qualified: Yes
■ Capacity: 2 Ton
■ Humidity Control: No
■ Advanced Thermostat Controls
■ MERV 11 Filter
■ All Required Labour
■ All Required Permits
■ 3-Year Preventative Maintenance Plan
■ Loan Assistance Program
■ Rebate Support
■ Limited Manufacturer Warranty: 10-year parts
*Can be added for an additional fee, included in Best tier
■ Model #: 1234C
■ Efficiency (Cooling): up to 23 SEER2
■ Efficiency (Heating): up to 10.5 HSPS
■ Compressor: variable speed
■ Noise level: 51 dB
■ Energy Star Qualified: Yes
■ Capacity: 2 Ton
■ Humidity Control: Yes
■ Advanced Thermostat Control
■ MERV 13 Filter
■ UV light on indoor coil
■ Replace return air drop*
■ Install 5” media cabinet*
■ All Required Labour
■ All Required Permits
■ 5-Year Preventative Maintenance Plan
■ Loan Assistance Program
■ Max Rebates
■ Limited Manufacturer Warranty: 10-year parts; 10-year unit replacement
A contractor/installer needs to start with a heat gain/loss calculation because otherwise they’re just guessing. In addition, there needs to be a level of common sense applied instead of common practice when it comes to installing heat pumps versus central air conditioning systems.
At the end of the day, always revert back to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Here is a list of considerations that must be made during the installation of any heat pump system.
■ Calculate the heat loss/heat gain of the home.
■ Three different methods to conduct this calculation: Empirical/Utility-based, F280, and Manual J
■ If the system is oversized for cooling, the home will have poor dehumidification.
■ Expanded ratings data for HVAC equipment, including heat pumps, show how the capacity and efficiency of the equipment change under various operating conditions.
■ Understand the minimum modulation of the heat pump in cooling because we don’t want to run into a problem where it short cycles because we’ve sized up for the heating load and now it can’t cool in the summer and dehumidify.
■ Installers need to follow manufacturer’s instructions for minimum and maximum line set length and height change.
■ Insulation must cover entire line set length to avoid condensation and energy loss.
■ UV-resistant tape or other mechanical protection should be installed, as needed. Penetration through the building enclosure should be tamper-proof.
■ All penetrations through the shell of the home should be sealed with insulating sealant/spray foam.
■ Make sure that you can allow some extra line set so the unit can be moved if necessary for maintenance.
■ Create new flare fittings. Apply refrigerant oil to the end of each flare. Connect tubing with appropriate nuts, supplied by the manufacturer, and tighten to the manufacturer’s torque specifications.
■ Once used, don’t reuse manufacturer provided tubing flares and fittings.
■ Any brazed connections should be completed with dry nitrogen to prevent oxidization.
■ Best practice: Make sure to follow each step needed to make a proper flare connection, including reaming and deburring. If the installer doesn’t follow the proper steps, leaks can occur.
■ Line set should be pressure tested using dry nitrogen and triple-evaluated with vacuum pump per manufacturer’s instructions.
■ Refrigerant charge should only be adjusted if necessary.
■ Carefully follow manufacturer’s recommendations for adjusting refrigerant charge when using any non-standard line set length
Since 1909, Conex Bänninger’s
www.conexbanninger.com/en-us
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■ Drain should be installed in a downhill slope. Use an external condensate pump when required.
■ Installing it over a hard, non-porous surface, like a driveway or walkway, means that you’re going to create a skating rink.
■ Don’t exceed manufacturer’s specifications for the vertical lift
■ Don’t point the outdoor fan into the prevailing wind. It will impair the efficiency and could lead to being covered in snow, which will stop the unit from operating all together.
■ Unit should be placed to allow for free air flow.
■ Location of outdoor unit should always be approved by the homeowner.
■ Don’t place the unit at less than the manufacturer’s allowed clearance for multiple units.
■ Ensure adequate clearance above historical average snow depth, typically on a snow stand that is 12-inches above
■ Ductless system: Indoor unit should be installed with adequate clearance from the ceiling. Whenever possible, units should be installed with additional clearance, 6-inch minimum from the ceiling, for ceiling heights up to 8 ft. from the floor.
■ Best practice: As space allows, install floormounted units or compact-ducted systems with floor registers, especially in larger living areas.
the anticipated snow height.
■ Try not to install the unit outside a bedroom window to avoid noise complaints.
■ Avoid proximity to walkways or other areas where refreezing defrost meltwater might cause a slip-and-fall hazard.
■ When possible, avoid installing directly under any drip line. Where unavoidable, the outdoor unit should be installed with drip caps or shields approved by the manufacturer.
Best practice:
■ Install surge protection at the service disconnect to protect sensitive electronics.
■ Drain pan heaters are not generally needed in situations where meltwater clearance and protection from precipitation are adequate.
■ The ideal place to put the outdoor unit would be in a place that gets sun, so that in the winter, it can get some defrost assistance. The sun will warm it up and melt the ice underneath it.
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• 10-year parts & compressor warranty
■ Design ducts to minimize friction losses. Pay attention to available static pressure, especially with compact-ducted air handlers.
■ Avoid ducts in unconditioned spaces when possible.
■ Always ensure the ductwork is adequately sized, when applicable; determine the capacity of the duct system.
■ Make sure that the homeowner understands what the maximum air flow through the ducts are at a reasonable static pressure.
■ Set up the controls so that the temperature is sensed at the control, rather than the air handler. Return-air temperature sensing controlled by a handheld remote is acceptable for smaller rooms or isolated zones that have no significant thermal/comfort problems.
■ Check any electrical limitations. How much space is in the panel? What size is the existing breaker? Is it possible to pull a new wire and change the breaker?
■ Use standard guidance for thermostat placement. Temperature sensing may need adjustment, especially for wallmounted indoor units.
■ For systems that include heat pumps plus a central HVAC system, like a hybrid system, use an integrated multi-stage control.
■ Make sure to use a thermostat that can work with a heat pump, not all have the capacity to do so.
■ Best practice: With or without the use of an integrated control, think about installing an outdoor cutout control on the central system thermostat so that the central heat is locked out when the temperature is above the cutout temperature.
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When temperatures plunge, performance matters most. The new LG Cold Climate Heat Pump is engineered to deliver reliable heating down to -35°C , redefining what’s possible in extreme Canadian winters. Winner of the 2025 AHR Innovation Award – Sustainable Solution, this advanced system brings together :
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— Efficient heating and cooling designed for year-round comfort
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Innovative design and features backed by a 10-Year Warranty:
— Soft Air mode, Dual Vane design for quicker cooling, heating and comfort
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— Built-in occupancy sensor for indirect cooling and smart comfort
— Wireless control with
■ UV tape
■ Torque wrench
■ Programmable refrigerant charging scale
■ Vacuum pump
■ Spray foam sealant
■ PVC sleeve cap
■ Rachet flaring tool
■ Digital micron gauge
Q: How often should regular maintenance occur?
A: Regularly scheduled maintenance should happen at least once a year, however, if the unit is producing both heating and cooling for the home, then it should be conducted twice a year, once each season.
☐ Check and adjust thermostat
☐ Make sure outdoor unit hasn’t shifted during previous season
☐ Wash and check outdoor coil
☐ Check and clean contacts at contactor, if applicable
☐ Check capacitors for leaks and test performance, if applicable
☐ Check electrical connections
☐ Make sure surge protector on outdoor unit is functioning properly
☐ Check air handler/furnace filter and offer replacement
☐ Check circulating air blower for cleanliness
☐ Adjust heating and cooling dampers, if applicable
☐ Check, clean, and test condensate drain/pump
☐ Record indoor and outdoor ambient temperatures
☐ Measure and record indoor relative humidity and wet bulb reading
Best Practice:
Avoid using refrigerant gauges unnecessarily. Instead, use Bluetooth gauges and tools to take measurements quickly. There is less risk of losing refrigerants during this step by utilizing a Bluetoothconnected tool. These systems are critically charged, so contractors should avoid tapping into the refrigerant side of the system, if possible.
☐ Check temperature drop across indoor coil in cooling mode and adjust blower speed, if necessary.
☐ Check temperature rise across indoor coil in heating mode and adjust blower speed, if necessary
☐ Check refrigerant pressures, super-heat, and sub-cooling only if other readings (coil delta-T) indicate there is a possible issue
☐ Check for refrigerant leaks at service valves
☐ Check line-set for potential breaks
☐ Apply silicone and wax to outdoor unit cabinet
☐ Clean around outdoor unit and air handler/furnace
☐ Check any gas connections to ensure no leakage, if using hybrid system
☐ Check for manufacturer’s installation/operating manual
☐ Review utility costs and equipment life expectancy with homeowner
☐ Offer replacement batteries for smoke detectors and CO alarms if the house has an attached garage or fuel burning appliances
☐ Check for carbon monoxide alarm and blue flame certification, if the house has an attached garage or fuel burning appliances
☐ Review and document results/recommendations with client
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4 Indoor Unit Options – Wall-Mounted, Ceiling Cassettes, Concealed Ducted, and Air Handlers.
FastPro® Technology on wall-mounted units1 allows for quick access to internal components without full disassembly. (exclusive to Floating Air)
Heat pump operation as low as -22°F (-30°C) on Prestige® Series Single-Zone models.
Knipex, Buffalo Grove, Illinois, debuts its new and improved Cobra ES, available in two models. The existing 10-inch model has been redesigned to offer increased capacity, from 1 1/4-inch to 1 1/2inch capacity on round materials, and an improved jaw design, which features front gripping serration and a cross groove for holding smaller, round materials such as nails. The new 7 1/4-inch model has the same features and functionalities at a more compact size, with a jaw capacity of 1 1/4-inch for both round and hex materials.
Knipex u www.knipex-tools.com
Milwaukee Tool, Mississauga, Ont., expands its jobsite power lineup with its new M18 Top-Off charger and power supply. Designed for trades professionals, this tool-only unit delivers simultaneous M18 battery and device charging, with 115W of continuous power, a 100W bi-directional USB-C PD Port, and a 15W USB-C port. The M18 Top-Off also includes a 65W USB-C wall adapter and 100W cable.
P&HVAC - Modern Hydronics Summit - VIPERT Ad.pdf 1 7/24/2025 1:42:46 PM
Milwaukee Tool u www.milwaukeetool.com
Ridgid, Elyria, Ohio, introduces its SeeSnake Mini Pro inspection camera to customers. This camera features TruSense technology, a 25 mm self-levelling camera with a 0.7-inch-long camera head and a mid-flex push cable. The Mini Pro can navigate 90-degree bends and inspect up to 61 m, travelling in 1 1/2 to 8-inch lines.
Ridgid u www.ridgid.com
With relaxed memory you’ll experience less spring back than PEX for easier and faster installations
VIPERT Potable and Radiant is flexible for your preferred tubing methods by crimping, by expanding, or with push style fittings, VIPERT does it all!
VIPERT is 100% recyclable, requires less energy to produce compared to PEX tubing, contributing to lowest GHG emissions footprint
We stand behind our VIPERT with a transparent 25-year warranty regardless of fitting systems installed
Offering market leading efficiency and a 20 year average life span, the Smart 316 Indirect Fired Water Heater provides a solution for every home.
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By storing and releasing energy gradually, the buffer tank helps maintain more consistent water temperatures in the distribution system.
In today’s modern hydronic systems, buffer tanks can save homeowners money over the life of the system.
By Michael Ridler
There is an important distinction between a system that is merely running and a system that is working properly. In modern hydronic heating system design, the integration of a buffer tank represents a high-value design strategy. While not always required, buffer tanks can have a significant impact on comfort, efficiency, and system longevity, especially when applied to modulating/condensing boilers in the residential and light commercial markets. This importance grows as building envelopes become more efficient and thermal loads fluctuate.
The engineering dilemma can sometimes begin at the boiler selection stage. In a modern energy-efficient home, the domestic hot water demand can exceed the space heating demand. This results in a boiler sizing decision for domestic hot water that elevates the boiler’s minimum stable firing rate, which can exceed the heating demand of smaller zones during part-load or Continued on page “61”
Electrify your heating with the Benchmark E electric boiler – engineered for maximum efficiency, superior reliability and zero emissions.
Peak Load Management: Save money by lowering building peak loads and maximizing electricity usage
Hybrid Plant Capable: Easily sequence with Benchmark gas-fired condensing boilers to optimize boiler operation and cost efficiencies
Electric, Vent-Free System: Pair with AERCO SmartPlate EV water heaters for a fully electric, vent-free heating and hot water solution
Continued from page “59”
shoulder-season conditions.
We often forget that when we use rules of thumb, they don’t take into consideration how loads have evolved over the last 30 years and can result in boiler challenges. The difference becomes clear when comparing typical heating intensities: a 1970s home might require 30 to 40 BTU/h per sq. ft., a 2000s energy-code home might be closer to 15 to 20 BTU/h per sq. ft., and a net-zero home may need as little as eight to 10 BTU/h per sq. ft. This reduction in heating intensity underscores how DHW loads can dominate the sizing exercise.
Consider a system employing a boiler with a minimum firing rate of 20,000 BTU/h. At design conditions:
■ Garage: 28,522 BTU/h
■ Living room: 15,909 BTU/h
■ Main bedroom: 5,700 BTU/h
Under full design load, the garage or living room can absorb the boiler’s minimumoutputwithoutissue.Butasoutdoorresetlowerswatertemperature on milder days, the loads shrink. For example: the living room, designed for 15,909BTU/h,mayneedonlyaround8,000BTU/honamildday.Themain bedroomcoulddropto3,000BTU/horless.
In this scenario, the boiler’s 20,000 BTU/h minimum firefarexceedsthe demand, leading to rapid cycling, reduced efficiency,andunnecessarywear. Thisisaclassiccaseof“microloading,”wheresmallzonescannotbalancethe boiler’sminimumoutput.
A buffertankaddressesthismismatchbyservingasa thermalflywheel.It absorbs the boiler’s minimum output during a complete burn cycle, then gradually releases that stored energy to satisfy the low and variable demands ofindividualzones.Thisdecouplingcanyieldseveralimportantbenefits,not justintechnicalperformancebutalsoinoperatingcost.
Thefirstisthatitallowsforhigheroperatingefficiency.Byreducingshortcycling, boilers maintain condensing operation more consistently. Short cycling introduces repeated pre-purge and post-purge losses, increases fixed radiationlosses,andinterruptsoptimalcondensingconditions.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, these losses can raise effective heat loss from about one per cent at full load to four per cent at quarter load, andevenjustfivecyclesperhourcanincreasefuelusebytwoto three per cent. Industry case studies show fuel efficiency drops of up to 15 percentage points when comparing low-fire continuous operation to shortcyclingconditions.
This can result in overall efficiency reductions in the range of 15 to 40 per cent due to frequent cycling. Avoiding this penalty through buffering helps maintain both steady-state combustion efficiency and consistent returnwatertemperaturesforcondensingperformance.
Equipment longevity – fewer on/off cycles mean less mechanical stress, prolonging component life. Each start-up event subjects burners, ignition systems, and fans to thermal and mechanical shock. Short-cycling increases wear on gas valves, relays, and pumps due to repeated energizing and de-energizing. Heat exchangers experience more frequent expansion and contraction cycles, accelerating metal fatigue and increasing the likelihood of premature failure. Manufacturers note that cycling can cut expected componentlifesignificantly,increasingboth serviceintervalsandreplacement
www.plumbingandhvac.ca
The perception with buffer tanks is that it can add cost, but in practice it saves money by reducing wasted fuel or electrical consumption, minimizing service calls, and extending equipment life. This retrofit installation was completed by Donaldson Plumbing & Heating Ltd.
costs. By stabilizing operation, a buffer tank helps reduce these stresses, extending the service life of not only the boiler itself but also the associated pumps and controls.
System stability allows distribution zones to operate smoothly without noticeable temperature swings. By storing and releasing energy gradually, the buffer tank helps maintain more consistent water temperatures in the distribution system, preventing the overshoot and undershoot that occupants often notice as hot-and-cold swings.
This steadier delivery is especially important in radiant floor systems, where floor surface temperature variations can cause discomfort. Buffering also allows zone valves and thermostats to operate with a smoother response, reducing the abrupt starts and stops that can create noticeable noise or
Continued on page “63”
Continued from page “61”
"The difference becomes clear when comparing typical heating intensities: a 1970s home might require 30 to 40 BTU/h per sq. ft., a 2000s energy‑code home might be closer to 15 to 20
BTU/h per sq. ft., and a net zero home may need as little as eight to 10 BTU/h per sq. ft."
temperature changes. The result is a quieter, more predictable heating environmentwhereoccupantsperceiveevencomfortthroughoutthedayand acrosschangingoutdoorconditions.
Although oftenperceivedasanaddedexpense,buffertanksin factcansave moneyoverthelifeofthesystem.Byavoidingthe15to40percentefficiency penalty of short-cycling, they reduce fuel or electricity use substantially According to the Ontario Energy Board, the average residential natural gas bill in Ontario is about $120 per month. A 15 per cent efficiency gain from reduced cycling could translate to savings of $15 to $20 each month, or over $180annually,whilealsocuttinggreenhousegas emissions.
These savings accumulate while also lowering service costs by reducing
wear on components, meaning the buffer tank pays for itself through efficiency and reliability gains. When tied to life expectancy, the case is even stronger. The typical condensing boiler is reported to have a service life of about 15 years under normal cycling conditions. At $180 in annual fuel savings, that equates to over $2,500 in lifetime operating savings.
In addition, reduced cycling directly lessens wear on pumps, valves, igniters, and combustion fans, further cutting part replacement costs and unplanned service calls. The combined effect is a system that not only runs more efficiently but also works properly for longer, lowering total cost of ownership.
And importantly — the tank doesn’t have to be very large to make a big difference. Even a 15- to-20-gallon buffer tank can provide enough thermal mass to stretch boiler run times and smooth system performance in homes with small zones and variable conditions.
When considering a buffer tank, volume should be based on part-load conditions, not peak design day. A commonly used formula is:
Applying this to the example with a 20,000 BTU/h minimum fire at a 15-minute run time, a 20-gallon buffer tank is sufficient to maintain stable operation on mild days.
It gets asked often but it is also important to note that radiant slabs provide inherent buffering through their thermal mass, but these installations have limited water volume and are often unable to function as the primary buffer. In these cases, a dedicated tank provides a practical way to stabilize performance.
Buffer tanks should be viewed as an important design tool that enhances efficiency, comfort, and durability, particularly in systems with highturndown boilers and multiple zones. While not universally required, their thoughtful application, even in modest sizes, can elevate a hydronic design from functional to resilient, ensuring the system performs optimally across the full spectrum of operating conditions.
In the next part of this article, we will play devil’s advocate and explore why systems don’t need buffer tanks.
Michael Ridler, is the general manager at Eden Energy Equipment. He started out working for a Ontbased HVAC company and now focuses on providing field support and technical training to contractors, engineers, and builders on heat pumps, boilers, and all things hydronics. He can be reached at michael@ edenenergy.com.
Multiple chillers were designed into the Martinsville Recreation Centre project just north of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Lower GWP refrigerant, R-454A, was used to ensure that this project met Canadian regualtions for chillers.
By Leah Den Hartogh
There’sonethingthatisuniversallyknownaroundtheworldaboutCanadians —theylovetheiricehockey.Assuch,alotofblood,sweat,andtearswentinto thedesign,commission,andupkeepofthefacilitiesthathousetheirbelovedice.
Located just North of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, lies a small community of about 12,000 people and its brand-new community centre. The Martinsville Recreation Centre features a main ice, practice ice, spectator lounge, climbing wall, indoor playground, field house, and space for two additionalsheetsofice.
The new ice-making system was designed and constructed by AinsworthandspecifiesOpteonXL40,ormorecommonlyknownasR-454A, refrigerant with a low GWP of just 239. As of Jan. 1, Canadian regulations requirenewrinkchillerstohaveamaximumGWPof750.
Thesystemusesa modulardesignthatisbasedonmultipleindependent refrigerationcircuits.Martenville’srinkusesfivemodulesthatprovide-34tons of
cooling capacity each to meet the refrigeration needs for both a full-size ice rink and the smaller practice rink. “We’ve got five modules for this system. They are 100 per cent independent of each other. That means that each has a compressor, electrical panel, pump, condenser, circuit, chiller,” shared Rhett Svingen, controls and engineering manager for Ainsworth Saskatoon. “This is what we decided was the best solution for any ice rink. We’ve been doing it through experience. If I want a system that I don’t get phone calls at night, I want to sell them this system.” This will allow multiple modules to be put into action when required, such as hockey tournaments with repeated resurfacing and a warmer building due to the increased number of spectators. “There are periods of peak demand on any ice rink, and I always thought it might be in the summer when it’s hot out.
Continued on page “67”
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Continued from page “65”
It’s actually probably more during the winter when there’s heavy tournament usage and a lot of resurfacing,” shared Svingen. “That’s when all the demand for the refrigeration really kicks-in. Building ice in the beginning is when you need a lot of demand and then during peak usage.”
Codes to follow
This was the first project of this size that the engineering team has worked on utilizing an A2L refrigerant. The most difficult part of the project, from a design perspective, was simply navigating code requirements. “But other than that, it’s just like any other refrigerant,” explained Svingen. In Canada, the important Canadian refrigeration code is CSA B52 and ASHRAE Standard 15.
One of the reasons the system was designed with multiple circuits was to create redundancy built into the design, which makes it extremely unlikely to lose any of the ice if one single component were to fail.
“We’ve dealt with those issues, where it’s a single chiller system, and then they have a problem with their chiller mid-season. That
Continued on page “69”
Redundancy was an important part of the system’s design to ensure that if one component went down, it wouldn’t mean the loss of the arena’s entire ice pads.
Continued from page “67”
basically ends their season,” warned Svingen. “You can’t get a replacement chiller and you’re just out of luck.”
The smaller, individual modules also mean that if there were a refrigerant leak, only a fraction of the total refrigerant would be lost compared to large single systems that could lose hundreds of kilograms of refrigerant in a similar scenario.
Speaking in terms of leaks, one of the reasons R-454A was chosen was due to its lower toxicity (Class A) when compared to refrigerants like ammonia (Class B), which also has a higher toxicity level. It’s important to remember that “there’s always an asphyxiation risk with any gas that can displace oxygen,” shared Svingen.
The compressors chosen for the system design don’t require any rebuilding or oil changes. This means that the yearly maintenance requirements, like with most ammonia systems, will be lower. Any technician who has worked on systems found in supermarkets or other similar commercial refrigeration systems is expected to be able to work on a system like this.
Environmental approach
As previously stated, the refrigerant used in the project was R-454A. This is the same class as R-454B, which is used in residential heat pumps and air conditioners. An A2L refrigerant has the same low toxicity as in other common refrigerants, such as R-134a, R-22, and R-507.
"This is what we decided was the best solution for any ice rink. We’ve been doing it through experience. If I want a system that I don’t get phone calls at night, I want to sell them this system."
Since the project officially opened for business in October 2024, there have been no reported concerns regarding the safety of the A2L system, according to Nustadia, the company responsible for overseeing and monitoring the rink’s activities.
“From an environmental perspective, I think this is another cool feature of this design. If you know someoneweretobreakaline,orsomethingweretohappeninthemechanicalroom,oriftherewasaleak,the lossofrefrigerationisgoingtobeprettysmall.Unlikeasinglechillersystemthatcouldhave1,000sofpounds of gas and there is a leak, you lose a whole charge. In this case, if something were to happen in one of the circuits,thelossofrefrigerantsismuchsmaller.AndwitharefrigerantwithsuchalowGWPalready,it’spretty insignificant,”sharedSvingen.Theanticipatedlifespanforthisspecificsystemisaround25to30years.This projectreportedlybeganbackinspring2014,whenKenMuench,Martenville’smayor,calledforthecreation ofanewcommunitycentreandarena.
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When
you’re hit with project delays, it’s important to mitigate your costs so that your profits are protected.
By Ron Coleman
There are so many reasons why projects get delayed in starting or completing; it has become more the norm than the exception. However, I am not going to go into the reasons behind the delays. Instead, we will focus on how to mitigate costs and protect profits when hit by these delays.
The first thing to know is what remedy is best suited for the various types of delays. Next, I would review the labour and material bonds that are in place. As a sub-trade, you aren’t party to those bonds, but you are often protected by them. However, sub-trades to the sub-trades are less likely to be protected.
Quantifying the financial impact of delays is not simple. There are many elements to it. Direct costs may increase, overhead will definitely increase, and opportunity costs will be lost.
Spelling out the terms for which you expect to be compensated for delays in your quotation is the first step. The second step is to ensure your quotation becomes part of the contract. That is not automatic. Often the contract is a stand-alone document. It is up to you to ensure that the clauses you want included in a contract are included.
Once a delay notice has been issued by the contractor, you should spring into action and send them the details of the repercussions that they will face. Even when anticipating a delay, it might be prudent to let your client know so that they have an opportunity to minimize the fallout.
Labour, materials, equipment, rental equipment and subcontracts are the
main elements of direct costs. Labour costs tend to increase at least annually (sometimes every six months). If your contract runs over a pay increase period that is beyond the original timeframe of the contract, you should be entitled to claim that increase, including any payroll burden, overhead and profit. Materials and equipment that need to be ordered for the job are subject to price increases if the orders are not placed in accordance with the terms of the suppliers’ quotes. Any delays on the job that oblige you to either be late in ordering materials and equipment, or require you to take delivery, should be compensated for in a timely manner. If you have ordered these items, you should get paid for them when you pay your supplier. It is not our fault that the project has been delayed.
If you get a revised quote from your suppliers, you need to pass along that price increase plus the markup on those items. If you store the materials, get paid for that cost.
Business owners are likely to incur additional costs from subcontractors that must be passed on to their clients. This runs the risk of the subcontractor not being available for the revised schedule. Make sure your client is aware of this exposure. What if you have that subcontractor earmarked for a job that actually starts on time, and he isn’t available? The same applies to your labour. Overhead costs can be a real can of worms.
If bonds have to be extended, there will likely be additional fees. You will
"Quantifying the financial impact of delays is not simple. There are many elements to it. Direct costs may increase, overhead will definitely increase, and opportunity costs will be lost."
also run the risk of running out of bonding capacity if too many bonded jobs get delayed at one time.
Receipt of holdback payments will also be delayed. This can have a major impact on cash flow. Make sure you keep your financial institution up to speed on this, as you may need to increase your borrowings. Advise your clients that they will be responsible for the additional cost. Alternatively, see if they will accept a holdback bond.
Our general overhead is based on doing a certain volume of work in our fiscal year. If work is delayed, we still have to carry that overhead. Make sure that all additional costs shown above are subject to overhead recovery.
Often, when deciding to quote a job, we look at our current workload to determine whether we have the capacity to do that job or not. We avoid quoting work that will not fit with our current workload schedule. However, if that current workload gets delayed, we often end up with a vacuum with little or no work. We cannot eliminate our overhead because we have no work; therefore, we need to be compensated for this fact. Also, we lose profit for that, and we need to be compensated for that. Sometimes when we decline to bid on jobs, we upset repeat customers and risk losing them entirely.
Unless we start pushing our clients to honour these costs, we will never recover any of them. We need to start both as individual trade contractors and as an industry, educating our clients to these facts. We can’t continue to absorb these
costs and stay in business. Recovering these costs usually means we can lower overhead and allocate overhead more correctly to the appropriate jobs as not all jobs should carry the same level of overhead.
Jobs with a high portion of materials, equipment, and subcontractors require significantly less overhead than jobs that are primarily labour intensive. They are subject to less risk and therefore are less profitable. Likewise, smaller jobs require a higher markup percentage than the large jobs. This is why general contractors work on very small overhead margins as their costs are fixed.
And that’s the problem we’re facing. Those generals must go back to their owners to get approval on all the price changes that we demand. General contractors and developers don’t like to do that, nor do the consulting engineers or any other of the professionals that we deal with on a project. Keep the pressure on your clients. Work for those who are more amenable to change orders.
Ronald Coleman is a Vancouver-based accountant, management con sultant, author and educator specializing in the construction industry. He can be reached by e-mail at ronald@ronaldcoleman.ca.
Wolseley announces that Chris Hann will take on the role of director of dealer development for its Canadian team. Hann will oversee the national dealer program rollout and support for field teams to share this program with its customers. Over the last 31 years, Hann has held various roles within the Wolseley team, including most recently as the director of HVAC for Ontario. Currently, Hann sits as the national chairman of the Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada.
Neuco announces that Kathy Kerns will join the company as its new director of software development. Kerns has over two decades of experience in technology leadership, specializing in digital transformation, IT process optimization, and customer-focused innovation.
Jennifer Wolfenbarger is joining Franklin Electric as its chief financial officer (CFO) and chief accounting officer. In her new roles, Wolfenbarger will help shape Franklin Electric’s financial future by enabling growth and overseeing fiscal accountability for the organization. Wolfenbarger previously served in divisional CFO roles at Caterpillar, Stryker and Owens Corning.
Vikas Desai joins Infinitum as chief commercial officer. With over three decades of customer-focused leadership experience, Desai will oversee Infinitum’s commercial efforts and revenue growth.
Nibco promotes Will Hummel to director, sales enablement. In this newly created role, Hummel will lead the development and implementation of a strategic sales enablement program designed to equip the sales team with the tools, training, and insights they need to succeed. Hummel has been with Nibco since March 2023.
Rehau appoints Tim Greer as the new academy training manager for its building solutions division for the U.S. and Canada. In this role, Greer will lead training and educational initiatives focused on advancing skilled application, and maximizing the benefits of Rehau’s PEXa piping system across residential, commercial, and municipal applications.
David Lopes joins Watts Water Technologies as its new vice president of marketing. Lopes has two decades of international leadership experience with stints across Europe, Latin America, and North America. Lopes’ most recent experience was with Bosch.
Masco Canada Ltd. announces that Michael Zherebkin joins its leadership team as the new vice president of finance. In this role, Zherebkin will provide leadership and coordination of the organization’s accounting, financial reporting, compliance, internal control, and budget management functions.
The EB25 Plus delivers all the performance and pressure reducing ability of costly multi-valve (series and parallel) installations and and automatic control valves with a single, compact, cartridge-based design.
With a 10:1 pressure reduction capacity, the EB25 Plus can regulate from no flow to maximum flow with a single valve. The EB25 Plus can also withstand temperatures between 33°F and 149°F.
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The
Imperial Manufacturing Group has acquired Dundas Jafine. Established in 1934, Dundas Jafine manufactures dryer venting and flexible duct products across two locations, Brampton, Ont., and Alden, New York. Since its inception, Dundas Jafine has expanded its HVAC product offering via its new equipment and strategic acquisitions.
Equipco Ltd. and Reliance Worldwide Corporation (RWC) are taking their relationship to the next level. Effective Aug. 1, Equipco will represent the RWC family of brands across Ontario (excluding Eastern Ontario). The RWC brands include SharkBite, HoldRite, Cash Acme, John Guest, Eastman, and EZ-Flo..
Bosch and Johnson Controls have officially signed off on the deal to sell off Johnson Controls’ residential and light commercial HVAC business and Hitachi Air Conditioning to Bosch. The transaction, which began one year ago, is the largest acquisition in Bosch’s history, costing $8 billion USD. Through this acquisition, Bosch will own Johnson Controls’ residential and light commercial HVAC business and the Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning joint venture.
“FROM
Equipco Ltd is adding OmegaFlex’s piping products to its portfolio. With this announcement, Equipco will represent OmegaFlex’s DoubleTrac and MediTrac product lines across Western Canada. DoubleTrac is a double-walled metallic piping system, while MediTrac is a line of corrugated medical tubing used for medical gas distribution.
Lennox International has signed an agreement to acquire NSI Industries’ HVAC division, which includes Duro Dyne and Supco, from Sentinel Capital Partners for around $550 million. Based in Huntersville, North Carolina, NSI Industries manufactures electrical and network infrastructure products.
Mueller Steam Specialty, a supplier of strainers and a provider of specialty products for the valve industry, announces that its products will have new representation in Canada. The following agencies will represent Mueller Steam Specialty across Canada: Lajoie (Que.), Marwin (Sask. and Man.), Hy-Line Sales (B.C.), DC Sales Company (Alta, Y.T., N.W.T., and Nunavut), Palser Enterprises (Southwestern and Northern Ont.), Walmar Mechanical Sales Limited (Eastern Ont.), Hydro-Mechanical Sales (Nfld., N.S., N.B, and P.E.I.), and Watts Factory Reps (the Greater Toronto Area).
Ross Evans President
Do you know what’s better than one event in Halifax? Two! The Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) is hosting a double header of industry events with its annual general meeting (AGM) from Sept. 20 to 22, followed directly by its Atlantic Heat Pump Symposium on Sept. 23.
Hosted at the Westin Nova Scotian in Halifax, N.S., the three day meeting will see all types of members from the heating and cooling industry come together and discuss the “unfiltered truth from the insiders in the industry, who decode the many forces shaping our industry, our economy, and our future, offering insights, connections, and opportunities that could change the game for you and your business,” explains the association via its website.
As always, the AGM will host meetings for contractors, wholesalers, manufacturers, and the board of directors of HRAI. Participants will also have their choice of presentations and off-site activities to attend. Session topics will include “Inside Canadian Politics & Policies: The Stakes and the Strategies,” “Inside OEMs: A Global Panel,” “Inside American Politics and Policies,” and “Lights, Camera, HVACTION! HVAC/R in Hollywood.”
There will also be two breakout session timeslots throughout the AGM covering topics such as “Inside Social Media Marketing,” “Mission: Refrigerant Transition,” “AI for the Supply ChAIn,” Email Writing Bootcamp,” “Heat Pump Power Hour,” and “Inside HVAC/R Design.”
Off-site activities include a tour of Lunenburg and Peggy’s Cove and a tour of a Halifax craft brewery. There will also be HRAI’s awards dinner on Sept. 22, which will feature comedian Shaun Majumder.
Party goes on, and on, and on
Once the AGM stops, the party will continue with the Atlantic Heat Pump Symposium. The oneday event will see roughly 400 attendees gather to discuss the business of heat pumps. On May 6th, HRAI hosted its Toronto Heat Pump Symposium at the International Centre Hall in Mississauga, Ont.
The program schedule for the Atlantic Heat Pump Symposium includes “Opening Keynote: The Decarbonization Challenge and the Role of Heat Pumps,” “Panel Discussion: The State of Technology,” “Addressing the Workforce Challenges
Associated with the Energy Transition in Atlantic Canada,” “Panel Discussion: The State of Policies and Programs in Support of Heat Pumps,” and “Closing Panel: Telling the Story and Delivering the Goods: Secrets to Contractor Success in an Evolving Marketplace.”
In addition to the mainstage presentations, there will also be concurrent breakout sessions between two time slots. Topics that will be discussed include “Exploring the Value of Deep Energy Retrofits,” from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., and “Demand Response Programs for Energy Management,” from 3 p.m. to 4 pm. More information regarding the additional breakout sessions is yet to be announced.
To break up the session timeslots, guests will also have access to 30 exhibitor booths, which will all be showcasing the latest heat pump technology.
Sept. 20 – 22:
HRAI Annual Conference & AGM: Westin Nova Scotia, Halifax, Nova Scotia. For more information, please visit www.hraiagm.com.
Sept. 23:
Atlantic Heat Pump Symposium: Westin Nova Scotia, Halifax, Nova Scotia. For more information, please visit https:// www.heatpumpsymposium.ca/
Sept. 30 – Oct. 1:
Canadian Hydronics Conference: Palais des congrès de Montréal, Montréal, Que. For more information, please visit www.ciph.com.
Oct. 20 to 22:
AIM/R 53rd Annual Conference: For more information, please visit www.aimr.net/ annualconference2025.
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