In the Air - HRAI Industry News

I attended the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) Technical Research Committee and Net Zero Council meetings in Ottawa, October 15–17. The sessions highlighted how new energy and greenhouse gas codes are increasingly shaping the housing market. For HVAC professionals, these shifts bring both challenges and opportunities, as builders will look to skilled contractors to help meet new code requirements and deliver measurable carbon savings.  

The meetings underscored the urgent need for capacity building and workforce readiness to keep pace with these changes. To address this growing gap, CHBA and Natural Resources Canada are expanding training for builders, energy advisors, and inspectors. I identified opportunities for HRAI to advocate for the inclusion of HVAC technician training and upskilling within these national initiatives.  

Another key theme was the need for greater consistency in code interpretation across jurisdictions to avoid delays, added costs, and confusion in implementation. Discussions also touched on housing affordability, recognizing that codes alone can’t solve broader market pressures. It’s worth noting that efficient HVAC systems, installed by trained and skilled professionals, can help lower life-cycle costs for homeowners under new codes.  

HRAI will continue collaborating with CHBA, NRCan, and other partners to ensure the HVAC sector’s expertise informs Canada’s evolving building codes. At the same time, HRAI will work to ensure members directly benefit from new national investments in training, funding, and workforce readiness programs that support code adoption and implementation.