Q1 2026 Newsletter
NEW YEAR, NEW NEWSLETTER
Welcome to Trade Ally Connections, a quarterly newsletter for HVAC, energy efficiency and related-industry professionals. Thank you for continuing to help educate our customers about the Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program. You are on the front lines every day - selling, installing or distributing natural gas equipment - along with ensuring our shared customers’ homes and business facilities are as energy efficient as possible. We are excited about providing you with tools to support your great work!
Each quarter, we’ll keep you posted with updates on the latest offerings from the Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program, along with insight on innovations that are changing our industry’s landscape. We’ll also provide you with webinars, events and training opportunities designed to improve your industry knowledge and strengthen your business.
We’ll shine a spotlight on our trade allies’ achievements to highlight successes you are helping us champion through the program. If you have any topics, training sessions or feedback you want to share with our Trade Ally Connections team, please contact us at eeinfo@nicorgas.com.
Upcoming Trainings and Events
May 6 - Nicor Gas Trade Ally Summit and Expo
The Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program team will be hosting an exclusive expo event for our trade allies serving residential, multi-family and business customers.
When: Wednesday, May 6, 2026
8 a.m. - noon
Where: Hyatt Regency O'Hare Chicago
9300 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.
Rosemont, IL 60018
More information will be provided soon, but add it to your calendars now!
March 20 - IL Plumbing Heating Cooling Expo
Visit the Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program booth at the IL PHCC Expo!
Friday, March 20, 2026
Drury Lane Conference Center
100 Drury Lane
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181
9 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Plumber's continuing education
Noon - 4:30 p.m. - Trade Show - Free admission
Register by clicking below!
March 26 Webinar - Boiler Descaling - Chemical Solution
Join us as Apex Engineering Products/Rydlyme discusses the benefits of chemical descaling and how it can help improve equipment efficiency and longevity.
Where: Virtual
When: May 26
11 - 12 a.m.
Other trainings and industry events you may want to attend
Multiple 2026 cohorts
Building Operator Certification (BOC)
Whether your facility has already taken steps to improve efficiency or you're just beginning, a Building Operator Certification (BOC) provides the training to keep building operators up to date on the newest energy technology available. Hear best practices firsthand from experts in the field.
Check the full schedule HERE
April 13 - 16
National Home Performance Conference and Trade Show
Greater Columbus Convention Center
400 N High St.
Columbus, OH 43215
Forty years of ideas, partnerships, and real progress in home performance, weatherization, and healthy housing. Join thousands of contractors, weatherization professionals, healthy homes experts, trainers, program administrators, energy auditors, and others in residential energy efficiency to gather for the latest industry education and networking.
April 13 - 14
ASHRAE Women's Symposium
Two full days of connection, inspiration, and leadership growth with women from across the HVACR industry—from students and early-career professionals to seasoned veterans. This isn’t just for engineers—it’s for every woman making an impact on the built environment.
Check out the conference
Energy Efficiency Program Updates
PAIR A FURNACE WITH A SMART THERMOSTAT FOR A BUNDLE OF SAVINGS
Furnaces are the reliable primary heating system for our territory. When they need to be replaced, customers can can get an extra rebate for bundling a high efficiency furnace with a smart thermostat. This will help increase comfort and provide extra savings for your customer.
ACHIEVE GREATER SUCCESS THROUGH A CONTRACTOR CIRCLE MEMBERSHIP
Take your partnership with the Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program to the next level by joining Contractor Circle. The member benefits you’ll receive will help promote your business. Contractor Circle members who install qualifying energy-efficient equipment can offer rebates as an instant discount and automatically deduct the rebate amount from your customers’ invoices. This reduces the total cost, it's an immediate savings for your customer and they don't have to fill out any paperwork.
Contractor Circle members are also listed on our popular Find a Contractor tool so potential customers can find CC members that install or provide specific energy efficiency products and services. We also provide members with free marketing materials, some of which can be customized with your company’s logo. You can use the Contractor Circle logo, which can lend additional credibility to your business.
Ready to get started? Learn by clicking below!
Commercial Gas Heat Pumps are gaining traction in U.S. market
Watch this 2 minute video from the North American Gas Heat Pump Collaborative to see the benefits of super efficient Commercial Gas Heat Pump technology that you can share with your customers. Don't forget, we also have a commercial and multi-family custom incentive for CGHP projects!
Commercial Gas Heat Pumps
Natural Gas Facts
Only 1 in 650 U.S. customers (0.15%) are expected to experience a planned or unplanned natural gas outage in any given year, which compares favorably to one national survey* showing that a whopping 45% of Americans experienced an electric outage during the first half of 2025. (J.D. Power Utilities Intelligence Report, Oct. 2025)
