OEMs are offering their own smart energy management systems that they say satisfy this demand by offering the ultimate in convenience, comfort, and energy savings.
A fair number of consumers do not mind spending more for a system that provides premium comfort, higher efficiency, and is aesthetically pleasing — especially if it’s going to be installed in a high-end home.
Customers looking to invest in more expensive heating and cooling systems have numerous options from which to choose, and most will result in better comfort and efficiency. But for that rare homeowner for whom money is no object, contractors may want to suggest manufacturer-recommended “dream” systems, all of which offer exceptional comfort, whisper-quiet operation, and super high efficiency.
Many in the industry are still lamenting the loss of the federal tax credits for higher efficiency HVAC systems; however, most manufacturers believe that customers remain willing to pay a premium for better equipment.
Customers who purchase high-end heating and cooling equipment want energy savings, as well as total comfort, which is why most contractors offer a wide range of accessories to enhance system performance.
When the U.S. government offered up to $1,500 in tax credits for higher efficiency appliances, HVAC contractors got their foot in the doors of consumers who might not normally have considered buying high-end. Since the tax credits were reduced in 2011, the same selling opportunities have dried up too — or have they?
There are many ways that HVAC contractors can market high-end furnaces to consumers, either by emphasizing the quality and uniqueness behind the name brand or by pointing out the many high-tech features that homeowners hear so much about.
What once was an inviting $1,500 tax credit is now a return to the traditional selling methods of explaining features and benefits of high efficiency products to homeowners. While it may be necessary to shift gears to a new selling strategy, some things still remain the same.