By: Curt Hurd, Residential Buildings Specialist
We are in the middle of a robust housing market and residential new construction in North Carolina is going strong – particularly in metro markets. We’ve made some positive strides with Energy Code requirements over the last decade and new homes are certainly more energy efficient and comfortable than in decades past, but what about existing homes? Improving the efficiency of existing homes can have a huge impact on the overall energy consumption of residential buildings.
Program and outside financial support to improve the efficiency of existing homes is modest at best and questionable going forward; the home performance industry needs to move forward and survive without counting on 3rd incentives. Most homeowners think about calling a home performance contractor if there is a particular issue they are having or because of a rebate they’ve learned about. In North Carolina the financial incentives from programs and rebates are not very strong and don’t drive large numbers of homeowners to move forward with significant efficiency improvements. Direct advertising to potential customers is certainly part of the equation, but has historically proven to be challenging.
One effective method of tapping the market is to target an existing customer base of a related trade. HVAC contractors are constantly in existing homes to service, repair & install residential systems. While interfacing with these customers, transitioning to a discussion about whole house energy efficiency should be easy and natural. The partnership of home performance and HVAC is unavoidable, but often sold and marketed to customers separately; the two may even compete directly for customers and their dollars. Retrotec is having a webinar on Friday with guest Nate Adams from Energy Smart Ohio. Nate is a successful home performance contractor, author and industry resource; I encourage you to Register to perhaps gain some new perspective on the future of home performance.
Have questions about this topic? Contact me at Curt@BuildingNC.org or 336-263-5299.
