Discussion Paper

Meeting Canada’s 2050 greenhouse gas emission goals requires significant efforts to scale decarbonization in existing homes. The home improvement sector—companies and workers who install heat pumps, upgrade insulation, and air seal homes—plays a crucial role, yet few policy initiatives focus on their perspective. This discussion paper explores practical policies that support HVAC and home performance businesses, emphasizing their essential role in this transition.

🔑 Key insights:

• Current business models in the home improvement sector fail to maximize potential value for contractors and homeowners. This risks locking in carbon-intensive technologies for another generation.
• By adopting “home performance” business models, home improvement businesses can achieve consistent, year-round work, increase revenue, and provide stable, well-paying jobs for workers.
• By supporting the people and businesses that do the work, policy makers can turn challenges into opportunities, boosting economic growth while helping Canada reach net-zero emissions.

The ideas presented in this discussion paper will be further explored through participatory research with home improvement contractors to propose policy initiatives that support a sustainable, resilient, and high-performing home improvement industry capable of meeting Canada’s net-zero goals.