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Heating & Air-Conditioning Contractors in Canada - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Matthew Pigott Matthew Pigott New York, United States Last Updated: August 2024 NAICS 23822aCA

Revenue

$15.5bn

2024

$15.5bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XXX.Xm

Employees

64,104

Businesses

11,974

Wages

$X.Xbn

Heating & Air-Conditioning Contractors in Canada industry analysis

The Heating and Air-Conditioning Contractors industry in Canada is highly reliant on construction activity across Canada, as most revenue is generated from heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) installations in new residential and nonresidential buildings. Still, as a significant share of industry revenue is generated from maintaining, monitoring and repairing existing equipment, the industry is somewhat shielded from volatile performance in construction markets. In recent years, interest rate hikes (which followed historic interest rate lows) have dampened residential construction activity, though the Bank of Canada has begun to cut rates in 2024. Growing consumer spending has supported the industry in recent years. Industry revenue is expected to have increased at a CAGR of 0.5% over the past five years to reach $17.1 billion in 2024, when revenue is set to grow 0.7% amid interest rate cuts.

Trends and Insights

  • HVAC maintenance provides steady business to contractors as is a necessary expenditure for households and businesses. This source of growth aided contractors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Volatile new construction activity has led to fluctuating HVAC installation work. The COVID-19 pandemic led to declining nonresidential construction in 2020, while residential construction has taken a hit from high interest rates.
  • Ontario contains a large share of establishments, the largest share of any province. The province contains the greatest share of the Canadian population and has several large cities including Toronto and Ottawa.
  • Start-up costs are low for HVAC contractors. The ease of entry leads to a high concentration of smaller contractors and stiff competition in local markets.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 0.3 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $15.5bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

The necessity of heating and air-conditioning installation keeps revenue anchored

  • HVAC systems must be repaired after years of use, and nearly every building in Canada uses some type of HVAC or refrigeration system; therefore, the industry is able to avoid the effects of contractions in individual downstream markets.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Heating & Air-Conditioning Contractors in Canada
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Interest rates cuts will drive residential construction activity

  • Interest rates are expected to gradually be cut over the coming years, though they will not likely hit pandemic-era lows. Still, this will encourage consumers to purchase homes and incentivize new home construction, positively impacting heating and air-conditioning contractors. Potential home buyers who put off buying will reenter the market.

Biggest companies in the Heating & Air-Conditioning Contractors in Canada

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($m)
2024
Profit ($m)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024
CIMCO Refrigeration Inc.
411.3
N/A
N/A
Carrier Global Corporation
30.5
N/A
N/A
Black & McDonald Limited
15.2
N/A
N/A

To view the market share and analysis for all 3 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Heating & Air-Conditioning Contractors in Canada
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including HVAC maintenance and repairs, Refrigeration system installations, maintenance and repairs and HVAC installations. HVAC maintenance and repairs is the largest segment of the Heating & Air-Conditioning Contractors in Canada.

Trends and Insights

HVAC installations were volatile due to the COVID-19 pandemic

  • Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) installations account for the majority of the revenue for the Canadian Heating and Air-Conditioning Contractors industry.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

This industry installs and services heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment. The work performed includes new installations, additions, alterations, maintenance and repairs. Plumbing-related information is not covered in this report, but is instead covered in the Plumbing industry in Canada report (IBISWorld report 23822bCA).

What's included in this industry?

Air-conditioning system installation, except window unitsAir vent installationFurnace conversions (i.e. from one fuel to another)Refrigeration system (e.g. commercial, industrial or scientific) installation Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) contractorsFurnace humidifier installationNatural gas fireplace installationDuct work (e.g. cooling, dust collection, exhaust, heating and ventilation) installationVentilation equipment installationHeating and ventilation system component (e.g. air registers, diffusers and filters) installation

Companies

CIMCO Refrigeration Inc.Carrier Global CorporationBlack & McDonald Limited

Purchase this report to view all 3 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

HEATING, VENTILATION AND AIR-CONDITIONING (HVAC)REFRIGERATIONNONEMPLOYER

Industry Code

NAICS 2007

NAICS 238220 - Heating & Air-Conditioning Contractors in Canada

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

HVAC maintenance provides steady business to contractors as is a necessary expenditure for households and businesses. This source of growth aided contractors during the COVID...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Volatile new construction activity has led to fluctuating HVAC installation work. The COVID-19 pandemic led to declining nonresidential construction in 2020, while residentia...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Ontario contains a large share of establishments, the largest share of any province. The province contains the greatest share of the Canadian population and has several large...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each province
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each province in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each province accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each province accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each province in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Start-up costs are low for HVAC contractors. The ease of entry leads to a high concentration of smaller contractors and stiff competition in local markets.

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

HVAC contractors in Canada has no major players in 2024. Industry concentration is low, with most players operating on a local basis.

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of CIMCO Refrigeration Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Carrier Global Corporation's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Black & McDonald Limited's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for CIMCO Refrigeration Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Carrier Global Corporation, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Black & McDonald Limited, and factors influencing its performance in the industry

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Direct public assistance is typically limited. The Heating and Air-Conditioning Contractors industry in Canada does not benefit from direct government subsidies or tariff pro...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Profit was negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. While it has grown since, it remains below the level it was at prior to the pandemic.

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2022)
  • Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Assets (2017-2022)
  • Liabilities (2017-2022)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Heating & Air-Conditioning Contractors industry in Canada in 2024?

The market size of the Heating & Air-Conditioning Contractors industry in Canada is $15.5bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Heating & Air-Conditioning Contractors in Canada industry in 2024?

There are 11,974 businesses in the Heating & Air-Conditioning Contractors industry in Canada, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.8 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Heating & Air-Conditioning Contractors industry in Canada grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Heating & Air-Conditioning Contractors industry in Canada has been growing at a CAGR of 0.3 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Heating & Air-Conditioning Contractors industry in Canada over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Heating & Air-Conditioning Contractors industry in Canada is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Heating & Air-Conditioning Contractors market in Canada?

The biggest companies operating in the Heating & Air-Conditioning Contractors market in Canada are CIMCO Refrigeration Inc., Carrier Global Corporation and Black & McDonald Limited

What does the Heating & Air-Conditioning Contractors in Canada include?

Air-conditioning system installation, except window units and Air vent installation are part of the Heating & Air-Conditioning Contractors industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Heating & Air-Conditioning Contractors in Canada?

The company holding the most market share in Canada is CIMCO Refrigeration Inc..

How competitive is the Heating & Air-Conditioning Contractors industry in Canada?

The level of competition is high and steady in the Heating & Air-Conditioning Contractors industry in Canada.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • Plumbing, Heating & Air-Conditioning Equipment Wholesaling in Canada

Complementors

  • Electricians in Canada
  • Roofing Contractors in Canada
  • Plumbing in Canada

International industries

  • Heating & Air-Conditioning Contractors in the US
  • Solar Panel Installation in the US
  • Air Conditioning and Heating Services in Australia
  • Air Conditioning and Heating Services in New Zealand
  • Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Installation in the UK

View all industries in Canada

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in Canada include:

  • Statistics Canada
  • Industry Canada
  • Canadian Business Patterns

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

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