The HVAC Sector is currently organized by Thermal Environmental Comfort Association (TECA). The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI), based out of Ontario, also has presence in the market.
There are no HVAC manufacturers that are local to BC. The following list summarizes the leading international HVAC manufacturers:
• Lennox (Armstrong/Allied/ADP/Ducane)
• Carrier (Bryant/Payne)
• American Standard (Trane/Ameristar)
• York (Luxaire/Fraser Johnson/Coleman)
• Goodman (Amana/Daikin)
• Rheem/Ruud
Additionally, there are a limited number of HVAC manufacturers in Canada, including:
• Dettson
• Napoleon
• Granby
A complete list of HVAC manufacturers providing products in Canada can be sourced through Natural
Resources Canada (NRCan) online at: https://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/pml-lm...
The HVAC supply chain is a complex network of agents, wholesalers, retailers, and contractors.
Agents: Directly connected to manufacturers. Market and sell equipment directly to wholesalers and
contractors. No inventory carried. Example: Lennox (Dealer Network)
Wholesalers: Purchase equipment from manufacturers or agents. Market and sell equipment directly to contractors. Inventory carried. Example: Werner's Wholesale Group (Carrier/Bryant/Payne)
Retailers: Sell equipment and installation to consumers. Sell equipment and materials to contractors.
Market and sell equipment directly to consumers. Inventory carried. Example: Home Depot (Trane)
Contractors: Various HVAC contractor models are present in BC. The volume of sales/installations and
market coverage varies significantly amongst each group.
• Direct sales, supply, and installation. May be single trade or general contractor.
• Supply and install subcontractor.
• Install-only subcontractor.
• Maintenance/service by single trade
There are two comprehensive lists of HVAC contractors operating in the province of BC available online:
• TECA Members - https://www.teca.ca/Q1st_contr...
• FortisBC Trade Ally Network - https://www.fortisbc.com/FindA...
The support network for the HVAC industry includes associations, trade allies, and industry
organizations, including:
• Thermal Environmental Comfort Association (TECA)
• Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI)
• Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA)
• Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI)
• Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA)
• North American Technician Excellence (NATE)
• ASHRAE (BC Chapter)
• Trade Ally Network (FortisBC)
• BC Housing
• Service Master
The industry operates under the following codes and standards:
Codes:
• BC Building Code (provincial)
• Vancouver Building Bylaw (municipal)
• Authorities having jurisdiction (municipal) - various, with Kelowna, North Vancouver, and
Burnaby having heating permit/bylaw approaches
Standards:
• CSA for product safety and performance standards
• Energy Star for energy performance and efficiency standards
• ACCA Standard 5: "HVAC Quality Installation Specification" (US-based)
• ACCA Standard 9: "HVAC Quality Installation (QI) Verification Protocols" (US-based)
• Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) "Specification of Energy Efficiency Installation &
Maintenance Practices for Residential HVAC Systems" (US-based)
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory: "Topic 5.30 Forced Air" (US-based)
• SMACNA and ASHRAE standards, as referenced by the National Building Code