Contractors who develop competency in smart HVAC controls, building management system integration, and energy-optimised design will be ahead of a growing market.
According to the Air Conditioning Mechanical Contractors Association (AMCA) this is not a distant trend, the transition is happening now.
AMCA president, Ben Hawkins, said the businesses that invest in this capability in 2026 will be the preferred contractors in 2028.
He said HVAC systems are the largest controllable load in most buildings.
“As homes and commercial properties become active participants in the energy market, clients will increasingly want HVAC systems that can integrate with battery management platforms, load-shift to off-peak periods, and operate in demand-response modes,” Hawkins said.
“Over 370,000 home batteries have been installed since July 2025. Two million homes are expected to have batteries by 2030.
“For the first time, household solar and battery systems will be able to directly participate in the energy market — responding to price signals and selling stored energy back to the grid.”
Last year Carrier began field trials of battery-enabled HVAC systems to test how they can store and shift energy when the grid needs it most.
Carrier chair & CEO, David Gitlin, said the company has installed its first battery-enabled HVAC systems in US homes to validate performance.
Through these trials, Carrier is assessing how its next-generation HVAC system — pairing more efficient variable-speed heat pumps with battery storage — can help reduce peak demand by shifting energy use from on-peak to off-peak periods, providing greater grid flexibility and resilience.
Locally, Rinnai has integrated iZone’s climate and smart home control technology and Smart Energy’s solar, battery and EV charging expertise, creating a complete solution for the modern home.
Rinnai Australia’s general manager of Sales & Marketing, Dan Tosh, said the goal is to deliver products with maximum comfort that are powered by intelligent home energy solutions to make life effortless and sustainable.