The HVAC tax stimulus had a great run for 2 years, as it grew HVAC businesses across the nation. But now comes the challenges of keeping that momentum when the government is no longer handing incentives to your customers.
However, a trend in energy efficiency and other simple incentives you can give your customers will soften the blow.
What You Can Do in 2011
Sometimes it doesn't take a lot of money or sacrifice to make your customers happy and keep them coming back - it can be a simple complimentary maintenance or assessment session. It can also mean extending your hours, or providing a discount on certain service packages. A little goes a long way in customer service.
An Extension?
Some are convinced that the end of the stimulus means the end of some HVAC jobs. At savehvacjobs.com, people can fill out a form letting their government know why they want or need an extension on the stimulus.
The Future
Matt Lattanzi, product management director for Nordyne, said in ACHR News article that more than ever, people want to save money on their bills and still need that energy efficient upgrade (it just might be harder to convince them to spend the money). Lattanzi continues to say that energy efficient products were gaining market-share pre-tax stimulus credit anyway.
The article also talked about incentive programs from utility companies, manufacturers, and local governments.