April 2026 Newsletter
A Word from our President
by – Ron McEwen-Cold Control
Temps are rising and Spring is almost here!
Thank you to WTI for hosting last month’s general meeting. Jeff and his crew always give out some great industry information, and supply some good grub whiles were there! Also, kudos to their update work stations, it looks like the students can work in near “real-life” scenarios!
Board has discussed having at least one continuing ed class this in October, if it fills up quickly, we may hold a second in November. We will let you know as it gets closer.
April general meeting will have Pat Thomas from CFM , it will be good for (1) hour Code CEU and will be at the Scotch.
May will be Key refrigeration, June will be WSM and both will be for a non-code CEU.
Remember to bring your business card to each general meeting as we will have a $100 drawing at each.
Go to KCCAKS.com to get registered for these meetings. The cost is $20 for members and $30 for non-members.
Ron McEwen-Cold Control Refrigeration Inc
I look forward to seeing you throughout the year.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions,
Ronm@coldcontrolks.com or Office 316-942-9650
EDUCATION
MABCD Newsletter
Click here to get the latest updates on Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing changes to code.
2025/2026 Meetings
March’s General Meeting
Thank you WTI for hosting, Robert Wyss and the awesome instructors for the great information about what you are teaching the future. Congratulations to Jeremu Farr from WTI for winning $100 cash!
Hope to see you @ future meetings!! All general meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday, except no meeting in July or December.
How HVAC Contractors Can Navigate the ‘Age of Electricity’
Treat electrification as a systems business, not an equipment business
By Chris Gray
April 3, 2026
Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency, recently listed seven trends that the association has identified as being certain about the future of energy. Among them is the fact that the world has entered what he calls the “age of electricity.”
“Oil and gas will still be widely used for many years to come, but the use of electricity is growing twice as fast as overall energy demand,” Birol wrote.
It’s a movement fueled by consumer desire for affordable energy, environmental agendas, the demand for data centers and AI, and state policies pushing industry away from energy sources like gas.
It’s also a movement that can be difficult to navigate, especially in an uncertain economy made worse by the ongoing labor shortage. There’s a lot for HVAC contractors to take in, but those willing to adapt can come out ahead of the game.
The Age of Electricity
Birol notes that electricity is fueling the most dynamic aspects of the current global economy, such as AI and data centers. He said electricity is also gaining traction in more established sectors, like heat pumps, versus other heating systems.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, in 2024, 42% of households relied mainly on electricity for heating. Meanwhile, in the last two years, heat pumps have been outselling gas and furnace sales.
“Already today, more than half of the investment going into the global energy sector each year is going to electricity,” Birol wrote.
Meanwhile, state and local governments are increasingly creating or amending laws that focus on electrical infrastructure and pushing consumers away from natural gas. In Colorado, newly manufactured residential gas furnaces and water heaters must now either meet ultra-low NOx emissions or comply with Energy Star standards.
Where Contractors are Struggling
The push for electrification can leave contractors and customers alike in a bind. For contractors, it’s not so much a lack of motivation as it is a struggle to justify electrification against their risk tolerance and to protect margins. Cash-flow strains, especially for small- to mid-sized HVAC contractors, can make the transition more difficult. A 2025 survey from the Air-Conditioning Contractors of America Association shows the average net profit for these companies is 5%. ACCA suggests 10% is needed for sustainable growth. “Cost is absolutely a factor,” said Bryan Orr, president of Florida-based Kalos Services and host of the HVAC School Podcast. “On the contractor side, electrification often means panel upgrades, service upgrades, new branch circuits, and in some cases, transformer or utility coordination. That adds complexity and capital cost beyond just replacing an appliance.”There is also the ongoing issue of labor. Joe Parsons, founder of Resonant Energy Strategies LLC, noted there are training gaps around cold-climate heat pumps, integrated controls, and troubleshooting. The logistics of electrification can be a hassle for contractors as well. “Electrification raises the stakes on doing the fundamentals right — load calculation, distribution, controls, and commissioning,” said Parsons. “When any of those are weak, the contractor owns the callback, even if the ‘box’ is fine.” As awareness grows, consumers are asking more pointed questions about operating costs, incentives, and carbon claims. These might stump contractors who haven’t kept up to speed. “The biggest struggle I see is that electrification has become a policy and marketing buzzword, and in many cases, it is being pushed faster than the technical planning behind it,” Orr said. “We have seen large commercial clients make public electrification commitments without a clear implementation strategy.” On the consumer side, customers might not be able to afford to switch utilities, while in other cases, it simply isn’t a feasible or economical choice, depending on the region. A customer may want electric heating but balk at the price tag of having to upgrade their panel. To combat this, Chris Czarnecki, ACCA director of government relations and advocacy, emphasized the need for contractors to continually train and educate their workforce, both on the technology front and staying abreast of relevant laws and regulations. “Contractors can even educate their customers if they feel comfortable doing so,” he said. “This would be particularly true if a customer was affected by one of these policies and, for example, was unable to install their preferred appliance.”
Transitioning to Electrical
It can seem overwhelming, but contractors still have time to strategize. Though state regulations surrounding electrification are increasing, there are 26 states that have enacted fuel and energy choice laws that preempt localities from restricting access to natural gas and other fuel sources. What this means is that contractors can adapt and even capitalize on the growing electricity demand. Parsons said the practical move for contractors is to build a repeatable “all-electric readiness” playbook, which includes better load calculations, envelope awareness, duct and distribution fixes, control strategy, and commissioning discipline. “On the business side, the winners will be the contractors who can sell outcomes, predictable comfort, predictable bills, and a clear plan for the home or building, rather than selling a single piece of equipment,” he said. “In short, treat electrification as a systems business, not an equipment business.” Part of that strategy is diversification. As popular as heat pumps are, contractors shouldn’t overcorrect and go all-in on them. In regions with high electric rates or punitive demand charges, even the best modern solutions can struggle if contractors can’t convey operating costs clearly. “That is where load reduction, smart controls, thermal storage, and hybrid approaches can be important stepping stones,” Parsons said. “In regions with lower electric rates and cleaner grids, all-electric solutions tend to pencil faster, and adoption is easier.” Parsons suggests becoming fluent in heat pump sizing for cold climates while also offering dual-fuel and hybrid systems. Becoming familiar with basics like electrical coordination, panels, and permitting will also give contractors a leg up. Orr said contractors can capitalize by becoming competent system designers rather than box replacers. Electrification works better when contractors understand load calculations, duct design, airflow, building envelope interaction, and control strategies. “Ultimately, electrification is not inherently good or bad,” said Orr. “It is a worthwhile initiative. When applied thoughtfully, with proper design and a realistic understanding of climate and infrastructure, it can deliver real efficiency and comfort benefits. “When applied as a checkbox without engineering rigor, it creates problems.” Sal Brunetto, national sales manager with Bosch, said contractors should work with those companies that can support the “legacy” technology while trusting them to provide state-of-the-art systems. “We’re trying to earn their business. So as we earn their business and as we feel more comfortable and the contractors more comfortable with Bosch, we try to move them up the range of products into more energy efficient, perhaps more complex and more advanced equipment,” he said. “It’s always important to go at their pace, right? We can’t really dictate our own pace. “We want to really fit their needs, identify their needs, and find solutions to their present and slightly future needs.”
KEYWORDS: Electrificationenergyenergy efficient buildingsenergy legislationenergy management
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Manage Your Reputation With Smart Hiring Practices
The people you hire play a key role in the success and bottom line of your business. Your team often serves as the face of your company, directly shaping public perception. When customers interact with an employee, they may form an opinion about your entire brand.
Think about your business’ reputation within your community and online. Are your employees polite and professional in their actions and responses? Do they consistently follow company policies? If your workplace is open to the public, does your team keep it clean and organized? If you have company drivers, do they drive safely?
Your Team Can Help Shape Your Reputation
The people you hire directly reflect on you and your business. To help manage your reputation and make appropriate hiring decisions, consider these tips:
Post Transparent Job Openings: Clearly outline all job qualifications, responsibilities, work hours, pay, benefits, titles, and growth opportunities.
Define Your Values: Clearly communicate your business’s values and the qualities you seek in applications and during interviews.
Screen Carefully: Look beyond practical skills to assess an applicant’s attitude and personality.
Check References: When possible, contact previous employers and references. Keep in mind that past actions can predict future behavior.
Train Thoroughly: Have an onboarding plan ready to ensure every new hire understands your workplace standards and policies.
Your reputation is as important to your business as the people you hire and employ. Contact your local Federated Insurance® marketing representative to learn more about this important risk management topic. Clients can access human resources content on the Training & Resources page of mySHIELD®.