This week's Glancing Back recalls what a few of these contractors had to say on energy efficiency, fuels, solar, and heat pumps. They may become so if the dealer stresses energy-saving techniques and devices but generally, their interest is only the type of equipment and the brand name. In some cases, we can work to promote the heat pump but this doesn't apply to general packaged equipment.
Most servicemen are against heat pumps.
But we are definitely involved with heat pumps. Although people are definitely more aware of the energy situation, there is a long road ahead to educating the consumer and the professional, but we are making progress. Our only problem has been in getting enough of them from the manufacturers to meet the demand. I think the drop resulted from concern, in the residential market, over the energy situation. Most owners just don't want to add equipment if it increases energy consumption.