Efficiency First California

06/03/2026

🚨 Bay Area Contractors: The Zero NOx rule changes are coming. Are you ready?

Last week, we were at the Bay Area Regional Energy Network Contractor Heat Pump Water Heater Training and Forum to get the latest scoop for our members.

Here’s what went down:
👉 The Policy: Ted Tiffany from the Building Decarbonization Coalition broke down the upcoming Zero NOx rules.
👉 The Sales Pitch: Keith O'Hara from Eco Performance Builders shared how to sell HPWH jobs without dropping your prices (hint: quality installs win every time).
👉 The Gear: LG HVAC Solutions USA and Eco-Logical Heat Pumps showed off their units and shared the ideal install scenarios.

🗣️ The Big Question: Several contractors asked about what electrical work plumbers can actually do under their licenses for these installs. The organizers are currently pushing the CSLB for a definitive answer. Stay tuned.

Missed out? Don’t sweat it. The next training session is already lined up.
📅 Save the Date: June 30th
📍 Where: Concord (UA Local 342 Plumbers and Steamfitters Training Center)

See you at the next one in Concord?

06/01/2026

Hey California contractors, the June training lineup is locked in! 🗓️

Whether you need to get your team up to speed on the new ECC registry, dial in your air distribution, or talk business strategy, we’ve got a mix of virtual and in-person sessions hosted by leading industry experts.

Standout session: Don't miss the in-person HPWH Contractor Training and Forum at the end of the month in Concord! 🛠️💧

Most of these workshops are low-to-no cost, courtesy of our utility and regional partners.

Check out the full June calendar and sign up today: 👉 https://buff.ly/ooyVaEX

Know a local sub or tech who needs to see this? Tag them below! 👇

05/29/2026

Running a crew is a full-time job. Keeping up with the latest tech, training, and sales tactics shouldn't have to be. 🛠️

This May, we focused on giving EFCA members the practical, real-world tools to make the daily grind a lot smoother. Here is a quick look at what we rolled out this month:
📱 Field Tech Software: A breakdown of super helpful digital tools designed to make your techs' lives easier on the job site.
🎓 Free Training: Access to free contractor training opportunities for heat pump water heater (HPWH) installations.
📈 Local Momentum: Increased heat pump water heater incentives around the Bay Area
⚡ The Sales Hurdle: Expert perspective from our Executive Director, Charles Cormany, on how to handle that notoriously challenging "panel upgrade conversation" with your clients.

EFCA is a trade organization designed to help contractors. We bridge the gap between big-picture clean energy shifts and your boots-on-the-ground reality.

👉 See what membership looks like: https://buff.ly/mInDiOW (or drop us a line at [email protected])

💬 Let’s talk: What is the biggest bottleneck or challenge your contracting business is running into these days? Let us know in the comments below. We use your feedback to build our next round of resources!

become a member All members qualify for discounts on equipment, digital marketing services, industry conferences, modeling software, and more. Members can contact us directly to get a valid discount code. Our website is an information resource intended to help guide you. It has training materials, a...

05/28/2026

No contractor should have to navigate the clean energy transition alone. 🤝⚡️

Meet Jason Scheurer, owner of BEST Techs Contracting Design Build Remodel Inc. and an EFCA Board Member. Jason has spent 35 years mastering the craft of home performance, but the industry is changing fast.

At Efficiency First California, we are here to ensure contractors have the wind at their backs as they move toward electrification. Here is how we support our community:

🛠️ Expert Guidance: Access a network of seasoned pros who have already solved the tricky building science puzzles.

📈 Business Tools: Resources designed to help you communicate the value of performance upgrades to your customers.

🤝 High-Value Connections: We bridge the gap between contractors, policy-makers, and industry partners.

⚖️ Advocacy: We fight for the programs and incentives that make home performance jobs viable and profitable.

Jason is leading by example, proving that when you lead with science, results and business follow.

Check out his website to learn more about his business: https://besttechscontracting.com/

🛠️ No contractor is an island. Who is the mentor or peer who helped you understand the ropes when you first got into the business? Tag them in the comments to give them a shoutout! 👇

👉 Watch the full video and learn how to join the EFCA movement today!
https://youtu.be/45lU137YIIc?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=jscontractorspotlightvid

05/27/2026

Let’s be honest: having a traditional contracting business in California right now can be wild. If you're still running your HVAC, insulation, or electrical business the exact same way you did even five years ago, you might be leaving money on the table. 💰

Following up on our webinar last month, our June session is all about unique business models. We’re showcasing some unique ways California contractors are approaching their electrification and home performance businesses.

Drop a "⚡" in the comments if you want us to tag you when registration opens!

Question for the crowd: What’s the biggest bottleneck keeping you from scaling your electrification installs right now? (Labor? Panel upgrades? Sales process?) Let us know in the comments👇

05/22/2026

Sacramento Contractors:

The transition away from R-410A is coming. Are you and your team ready for the change?

Frontier Energy and The Ortiz Group are hosting a seminar in Sacramento on Tuesday, June 23 for insights you need to stay ahead of the curve. This is a great opportunity!

There will be a raffle for high-value prizes + gift cards for all attendees, and networking opportunities with industry pros.

Secure your spots today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/r410a-phase-out-seminar-sacramento-tickets-1988591761490?aff=oddtdtcreator

What other kinds of training would you like to see in the Sacramento area? Let us know in the comments.👇

05/21/2026

Thank you to everyone who tuned into our May webinar yesterday, Business Tools to Streamline Your Tech's Work.

We also want to extend a giant thank you to our incredible guest speakers Russell King, with Kwik Model 3D, and Brian Feenie, with measureQuick! Your breakdowns of how to make a technician's life easier (and more profitable) on the job site were much appreciated. 💡

⏭️ Couldn't make it to the live stream? We’ve got you covered. The full recording is available now on our Member Portal. If you aren't an EFCA member yet, consider signing up for access.

05/19/2026

How are you handling the panel capacity conversation with your clients these days?

We’ve been there: You’re ready to sell a high-efficiency heat pump or an EV charger, but the home's electrical panel is totally maxed out. 🛑 Adding an extra $3,000 to $5,000 onto a bid can stall your projects.

In this video, EFCA Executive Director Charles Cormany breaks down why we need to flip the script on this classic contractor headache. Instead of viewing a panel upgrade as an expensive roadblock, Charles explains how it’s actually a massive safety, health, and financial win for the homeowner.

Many California homes are still running on outdated, hazardous panels (like Zinsco or Federal Pacific). Charles even shares a personal story about how his own home insurance provider threatened to drop his policy if he didn't replace his older panel!

When you help clients see that an upgrade protects their insurance and mitigates a serious fire risk, you aren't just selling extra capacity, you're selling peace of mind.

👇 Contractors, we want to hear from you: Are you starting to see home insurance companies push back on older panels in your service area? Let’s swap strategies in the comments! 👇

05/15/2026

What’s your go to Heat Pump for installs? 🛠️

Huge thanks to Samantha Lamos and Larry Denyer for joining our April Webinar on Choosing the Right Heat Pump for the Job. We took a deep dive into the tech that is defining the electrification era.

The big takeaways:
✅ New LG products = massive electricity savings.
✅ Gradient window units = a game-changer for multifamily projects.
✅ High performance = Heat pump + Insulation + Air Sealing.

The California market is changing. Gas furnaces are being phased out soon. We don’t want you to get left behind.

Join us next Wednesday, May 20, to talk about the business tools that make your crew's life easier. 📈

👉 Save your spot: https://buff.ly/6DZZapt

05/13/2026

How much time is guesswork eating out of your day?

Between tight schedules and customers wanting answers ASAP, techs have a lot on their plates. At Efficiency First California, we want to help you make the average day a lot easier.

Join us next Wednesday as we host a webinar with guests Brian Feenie from measureQuick and Russell King from Coded Energy.

The Goal?
Move faster in the field.
Get accurate data the first time.
Deliver better outcomes for your customers without the headache.

Bring your toughest real-world challenges for the Q&A portion.

Sign up here: https://efficiencyfirstca.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zmVmnb4sQI2jZLN9whxKrw