Utility/contractor SYMBIOSIS.

In a deregulated market, utilities and hvac contractors need each other more than ever.

THE UTILITIES are coming, the utilities are coming." Over the past seven years, that's how I began numerous Carrier sales and marketing meetings, distributor and contractor meetings and executive presentations. For years we have heard how utilities will enter, and possibly take over, the hvac industry.

Let's step back. What's really going on?

First of all, let's look at utilities. Electric and natural gas utilities are regulated by federal, state and, occasiona