Author: Manoj Puthenveetil
May 27, 2025 - 6 MIN. READ
Key takeaways:
- The demand for energy-efficient and eco-friendly HVAC solutions is higher.
- As an HVAC contractor, you should make a few changes to your procurement process to go after these new opportunities.
- Focus on incorporating new solutions into your supply chain, such as heat pumps, air quality products, and connected HVAC solutions.
Energy efficiency and concern over carbon footprints will likely dominate your conversations with your customers in the near future. HVAC costs will still matter, but now you have to consider more complex goals when investing in upgrades.
This interest in energy-efficient solutions is driving growth for the HVAC industry. For HVAC professionals, embracing change and becoming a partner for energy efficiency leads to new opportunities. Failing to adapt means risking losing customers to forward-thinking competitors.
To work with the latest technologies, update your HVAC supply chain, and focus on working with innovative suppliers who offer the newest solutions.
Read on to learn more about the key HVAC trends to consider when updating your procurement process.
Heat Pumps and Electrification Supplies
Heat pumps are one of the key trends reshaping the market, outselling gas furnaces, with nine states working on increasing adoption so that heat pumps represent 65% of HVAC sales by 2030.
Due to their popularity, most leading HVAC suppliers now sell them, so you can continue working with the vendors you trust. However, you might have to branch out to secure the electrification supplies needed to wire heat pumps and onboard a few electrical suppliers to your procurement process.
Indoor Air Quality Solutions
Customers often turn to heat pumps and electrification to cut costs and create healthier environments. Indoor air quality solutions can interest those who care about well-being and holistic health.
Since COVID-19, the demand for filtration solutions, air purifiers, and humidity control products has skyrocketed. Commercial customers are embracing better air quality as an ESG goal, and there is a strong market with plenty of potential for steady growth in the residential sector, with more than 131.2 million U.S. homes exposed to particle pollution.
While the market for IAQ products is varied, it’s best to identify solutions targeting local pollutants since air quality risks are unique to each region. Consider local allergens, industrial pollution, and humidity levels linked to weather patterns. Deep product knowledge is a plus in this market, making vendors with responsive reps who can provide educational resources an appealing option.
Smart HVAC Products
Not every HVAC upgrade has to be an investment, like a heat pump or IAQ product. Thanks to smart HVAC products, small additions can greatly impact climate-related goals. We’re talking about humidity, occupancy, and air-quality sensors that trigger HVAC solutions as needed to improve comfort while reducing energy usage. Sensors can also extend equipment lifespan by avoiding unnecessary runtime and flagging any changes in performance for preventive maintenance purposes.
For the commercial space, you should select vendors who can offer:
- Proven cost and energy savings.
- Reliable product performance data.
- Training. You can quickly develop expertise in programming these sensors.
- IoT products that can integrate into broader data ecosystems.
To offer more comprehensive automated solutions, look into working with HVAC software vendors. Adding a digital layer to your solutions is a strong differentiator and allows you to target customers needing remote monitoring and preventive maintenance solutions.
The smart HVAC trend is coming to residential spaces on a smaller scale, mostly with smart thermostats. To succeed in this market, look for recognizable brands that instantly gain customers' trust and allow them to integrate these solutions with the smart tech they already use (like their favorite virtual assistant).
Commercial HVAC Suppliers Are Getting More Specialized
Smart HVAC products are just the surface: Commercial HVAC vendors are getting more specialized. They now offer niche products for customized heating and cooling applications.
To stay competitive in the commercial space, you should diversify your HVAC supply chain to include products like:
- Energy recovery ventilators (ERVs).
- Heat recovery ventilators (HRVs).
- Variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems.
Your current vendors might not offer the latest specialized heating and cooling systems. It’s time to review their product offerings and consider adding more innovative partners to your supply chain.
Performance Metrics and Certifications
For many commercial customers, HVAC upgrades are a strategic decision driven by a need to reduce energy usage. You can meet these expectations by offering products with precise performance data available. Using this data to project ROI and energy savings is a strong argument for HVAC upgrades.
Besides picking vendors who share product data, look for partners who use Energy Star certifications and other rating systems as a mark of quality. Customers trust these systems and can use them to benchmark an HVAC product against their compliance requirements or building certification efforts.
How Raiven Helps You Build a Modern HVAC Supply Chain
Navigating the changing HVAC market can be challenging, as many new products are available, and solutions like connected or specialized HVAC solutions are becoming more complex.
Let Raiven help. Our vast network of vetted suppliers makes the latest HVAC innovations easy to access. Plus, we’re actively growing our network and partnering with more vendors to help you stay current.
Our convenient procurement platform gives you access to many products in one interface while streamlining interactions with sales reps. It’s the perfect environment for developing deep product knowledge, comparing HVAC solutions, and picking customized options for your customers.
You’ll also save with pre-negotiated discounts and access other perks.
Raiven is on a mission to transform buying for the trades. Our innovative platform connects contractors, enterprises and suppliers into a digital supply chain network.
The goal is to simplify sourcing, reduce costs, and unlock operational efficiency. New business opportunities become available, and you can scale faster.
Stop wasting time and money on inefficient procurement! As a Raiven member, you’ll get access to:
- Our procurement platform. Manage vendors and accounts with one convenient digital tool.
- Price tracking. Always find the best prices on the supplies you need.
- Exclusive cost savings. Raiven pre-negotiates prices, cutting your costs by 10 to 15%.
- A thriving community. Join a fast-growing group of 2,500+ contractors ready to innovate.
Visit Raiven to learn more about building a supply chain that reflects the latest HVAC trends.
