Gemaire Distributors hosted their 2022 Regional Dealer Meeting/Fishing Event at Hawks Cay Resort on Duck Key, FL September 30 – October 2, 2022. The organizers and attendees were fortunate that hurricane Ian spared the Keys as it passed through Florida earlier in the week.
Dealers and their guests arrived Friday afternoon in time to attend the business portion of the event which lasted from 5:30 to 7:30. Gemaire Vice President Rafael Castillo welcomed everyone and introduced the first of several vendor representatives to address the crowd.
Rheem Business Development Manager John Grindle discussed the new regional SEER2 (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio 2) guidelines going into effect January 1, 2023. The Department of Energy’s new HVAC testing procedure will increase systems’ external static pressure by a factor of 5 (0.5 inches of water), better representing external conditions seen in the field. For the Southeast, air conditioning (straight-cool) systems that do not meet the SEER2 requirements cannot be installed after January 1, 2023. Rheem spilt systems will meet the new requirements without air handler cabinet size changes. John also touched on the upcoming 2025 AIM Act refrigerant changes requiring Global Warming Potentials below 750. Rheem will be using R454B, one of the two major refrigerants being proposed that meet the new standard. Also in 2025, disposable refrigerant cylinders will no longer be used, refillable will be required.
Justin Stocker, Assistant Vice President of Synchrony Financial, presented the main features of the consumer financing programs available to Rheem Pro Partner dealers. Their consumer loan application process automatically populates applications using information from several mobile phone retailer databases.
Mitsubishi Regional Sales Manager Daniel Robinson covered the company’s consumer/contractor rebate program, qualifying models and Federal tax credits for high efficiency equipment. He announced that 4 and 5 ton air handlers and a low-cost thermostat will be available soon and reminded the dealers of the exclusive Diamond Contractor certification program set up specifically for Gemaire.
Mark Deutsch, Digital Sales Manager for Gemaire Florida, discussed their e-commerce platform and summarized some of the sales and business tools available from Gemaire and Watsco Ventures. The OnCall Air proposal software simplifies the process by including pricing, descriptions, photos, and inventory availability. HouseCall Pro is a management software for scheduling and dispatching techs. The Credit for Comfort app has a waterfall system that automatically moves the applicant from prime lender to the next best lender until they qualify without having to submit multiple applications.
Mike Stevens, National Water Source/Geothermal Sales Manager of Bosch, focused on the Whisper Quiet units released in the fourth quarter of 2021. Designed to address noise, the biggest complaints from the condo residents about water source air conditioners, these models were designed using innovation and expertise only Bosch can provide. Bosch brought over some of the technologies from their automotive division to insulate the cabinets, repositioned the blower motor in the units to minimize air cavitation noise and increased efficiencies without enlarging the footprint.
The presentations were followed by a welcome reception, dinner and trade show lasting until 10:30 in the evening.
The weather Saturday was ideal for the morning and afternoon anglers boarding chartered fishing trips to the offshore reefs and for the guests choosing to relax by the pool and enjoy the amenities of the resort. Every boat returned to the docks with an assortment of fish, including yellow tail and mutton snapper, grouper and amberjack.
The guests enjoyed a happy hour sponsored by Bosch, dinner sponsored by Mitsubishi and a raffle prize drawing Saturday evening. A highlight was the announcement of Juan Robles’ retirement after a 27-year career with Gemaire.
See photos on pages ## and ##. Visit https://flhvacinsider.smugmug.com for more coverage.
