For Kamie Palacios of Vancouver, British Columbia, transitioning into the trades after a decade working at retailer Tiffany & Company had more to do with paying respect than paying the bills.
“My partner was diagnosed with leukemia and passed away in 2015. It left me feeling at a loss. It was no longer exciting to sell celebratory gifts. I needed a fresh start,” says Kamie.
After talking with some of Tiffany’s customers who made a good living in heating, ventilation, air conditioning/refrigeration (HVAC), Kamie did some research and realized the field could be a great fit for her—especially given her “5 foot 2 with shoes on” stature. She decided to go for it.
With an active lifestyle and a love for hands-on work, Kamie chose HVAC as her second career (All photos submitted).
Never Too Late for a New Dream
Kamie (left) and Jenna bring the same energy and determination to their hikes as they do to their work—proving it’s never too late to chase a new dream.
Pumped About Heat Pumps
As HVAC makes up about 60% of their work, Kamie and Jenna frequently install and repair heat pumps and other energy-efficient systems in homes and businesses.
“It’s been a super exciting industry to be a part of the last 10 years. The technology is changing at such a fast pace,” says Jenna. “30% of our HVAC work is in buildings built within the last three years. It’s a lot of learning because people are trying out different systems and solutions. We are slowly coming off gas, which is good.”
Still, consumer education hasn’t caught up to the tech.
“Clients are unfamiliar with the technology… no one’s educated them on how [heat pumps are] different from gas, electrical baseboard, or radiant heating,” Jenna says.
With Vancouver’s weather getting more unpredictable, that knowledge gap matters more than ever.
“The weather has changed. Summers are a lot hotter… equipment installed in the 80s, 90s is not keeping up with those hotter days. And a lot of residential places don’t have air conditioning, the heat stays in and doesn’t escape. It can be a health hazard,” says Jenna who worries about her senior parents in Calgary, also dealing with temperature extremes.
Similarly, Kamie worries about her mom who is 87.
“A couple years ago, when we had the heat dome and temperatures were in the high 30s, low 40s, she opted to rent a hotel room to weather the storm per se,” says Kamie. “Climate change is a real factor for people and their quality of life.”
Jenna installs a heat pump, recognizing it as a smart choice in response to recent shifts in weather patterns.
New Weather, New Code
Jenna and Kamie believe that having policies in place that support local residents to access energy-efficient technologies will help keep people safe at home, no matter the weather. But more than that, they will ensure that all communities are doing their part to build buildings that pollute less, and aren’t going to make things worse.
“There’s been a push for carbon neutral buildings and spaces. We need to use renewable energy sources to allow future generations to live an enjoyable life,” says Jenna. “It’s going to take us as business owners and the government to educate people on heat pumps and electrical solutions for the gas appliances they’ve had in the past.”
In the Metro-Vancouver region, communities like Port Moody, and Burnaby, are adopting all-electric building bylaws—known as the Zero Carbon Step Code—ahead of the provincial government’s 2030 mandated requirement.
These bylaws ensure developers are installing the most energy-efficient heating and cooling systems in all new homes, which according to a recent BC building survey, over half of respondents industry say they have started to prepare for already due to an anticipated increase in market demand for climate-friendly, energy-efficient homes with better indoor air quality.
“If an alternative solution is presented and it suits the needs, has less impact and is affordable, we strongly believe that B.C. residents would happily choose it,” says Kamie. “People are always out jogging, running, kayaking and paddle boarding so they’re going to choose the option that’s available, makes sense, is green and affordable.”
But increased support from the B.C. government is crucial.
“There are incentives from the government [which make] people more inclined to make that switch. If they’re looking at upgrading their heating system, you get the air conditioning with [a heat pump], so it’s an easy sell to people. The hardest part is the cost,” says Jenna. “It’s about making sure that B.C. is generating all the electricity that we need in a clean way.”
Jenna and Kamie encourage people to ask questions and learn about where their energy comes from, and how modern systems that include heat pumps work and can make their homes more comfortable and affordable noting there are plenty of helpful resources and experts available.
Kamie will carry her late partner’s spirit with her as she moves forward, and she’s grateful to have Jenna by her side.
“I know he’s proud of my resilience and determination to build something new,” Kamie says. “One of the greatest lessons he taught me is that life is short, and every day is a gift. If you have a dream, don’t waste time wondering if it’s possible—just go for it. You never know what tomorrow might bring.”
Jenna and Kamie are committed to building a cleaner, more resilient Vancouver—one energy-efficient home at a time.
