The push toward electric vehicles (EVs) sounded revolutionary, but the auto industry’s experience reveals hard truths: massive upfront costs, performance challenges, and an infrastructure not yet ready to support full electrification. Similarly, the HVAC industry is seeing regulatory pressure to adopt all-electric solutions, even though those systems often fall short when performance and reliability matter most—especially in extreme weather or high-demand scenarios.
We believe a hybrid HVAC approach offers a smarter way forward, just as hybrid cars combine the benefits of both gas and electric engines. Keeping natural gas as part of the HVAC equation ensures the system can meet both current needs and future demands—without the risks of relying solely on electric power.
Key Lessons from the Automotive Shift
The journey toward electric vehicles has provided some critical insights HVAC professionals should heed:
- High Upfront Costs: EVs require significant investment, much like all-electric HVAC systems often demand costly upgrades without matching the efficiency of established alternatives.
- Performance Gaps: While EVs excel in city driving, they struggle over long distances or extreme conditions—just as electric-only HVAC systems often underperform in harsh weather, particularly during winter.
- Infrastructure Limitations: Just as the limited EV charging network causes disruptions, the availability of electric HVAC service and support can be narrow and unreliable.
You can read more about Ford’s delayed three-row electric SUV here.
Why a Hybrid HVAC Approach Works
Instead of rushing into all-electric systems, hybrid HVAC solutions—combining natural gas units with electric systems—provide the perfect balance of sustainability and dependability. Here’s why:
- Uninterrupted Operation: When electrical units can’t meet demand, natural gas systems kick in to ensure your customers buildings stay comfortable and functional.
- Cost Savings: Hybrid systems help avoid the steep 40-60% increases in energy costs often associated with all-electric HVAC setups.
- Adaptable and Future-Ready: As infrastructure evolves, hybrid systems allow gradual transitions, giving your customers the flexibility to adopt new technologies without risking downtime or facing skyrocketing costs.
Like the auto industry’s experience with EVs, HVAC professionals should proceed with caution. Jumping too fast into unproven technologies can result in higher risks, from unexpected failures to inflated operational costs. As our President, Doug Eisenhart, wisely put it:
“Be on the leading edge, but beware of the bleeding edge.”
Ready to support your customers with a HVAC strategy that prepares them for the unknown?
Don’t gamble on unproven technology. Reach out to your local Cambridge expert today to talk more about a hybrid strategy that ensures efficiency, performance, and sustainability for your customers.
If you want to read more about our whole approach to decarbonization, electrification, and even hydrogen, check out these resources:
Sustainability page
Building Sustainability through an HVAC System: How we can Help Take the Guesswork Out
Navigating Decarbonization: Is Electrification in Your Future?
Navigating the Path to Sustainable Heating: Exploring Electric vs Gas Heat in Warehouse