Owner-Operator-OEM Roundtables

Quarterly Check-ins to Align Innovation with On-the-Ground Realities

The Owner Operator Roundtables are a structured forum for mutual learning and feedback between corporate real estate leaders—those who own, operate, and maintain large portfolios of commercial buildings—and the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) of HVAC systems. These quarterly conversations surface actionable insights to:

Align product development with real-world operating challenges

Communicate market demand for sustainable, affordable, and serviceable HVAC technologies

Create a two-way feedback loop between buyers and builders of HVAC solutions

Ensure that climate-smart solutions reflect the dynamic realities of ESG, compliance, and performance

Why This Matters

Owner-Operators are often the first to encounter the disconnect between ESG goals and HVAC technology limitations. By surfacing these frustrations and ideas with OEMs directly, REEF helps drive solutions that are:

Aligned with Scope 1 reduction targets

Technically and economically viable across large portfolios

Rooted in equity, environment, and affordability principles

Responsive to evolving disclosure and compliance pressures

OEMs, in turn, gain market clarity, identify product-market fit, and develop forward-compatible equipment that meets regulatory and user expectations alike.

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Quarterly Roundtable Agenda

1. Opening Context (5 minutes)

REEF facilitator provides a high-level overview:

Recent policy developments (e.g., incentives, refrigerant restrictions)

Summary of previous roundtable themes or action items

Framing prompt: “What’s changed this quarter that affects your HVAC strategy?”

2. Owner-Operator Lightning Round (25 minutes)

Each OwnerOperator representative is invited to share brief, candid input on:

Frustrations with existing HVAC product lines

Barriers to retrofitting, electrification, or refrigerant transitions

Data, service, or maintenance gaps that undermine performance

Ideas for improving equity and affordability in technology adoption

Note-taker captures emerging patterns, quotes, or common themes for synthesis.

3. OEM Listening + Clarifying Questions (15 minutes)

OEM representatives ask questions to clarify pain points or opportunities raised.

This section focuses on listening, not pitching.

Guiding prompt: “How might OEMs better support these market needs?”

4. OEM Response + Previews (15 minutes)

OEMs share:

Where they are hearing similar signals from other markets

Planned or in-development technologies aligned with the feedback

Opportunities to collaborate on pilots, demonstrations, or design input

OEMs should identify areas where further OwnerOperator input would be valuable.

5. Open Dialogue and Follow-Ups (10 minutes)

Open discussion to surface shared priorities, clarify technical questions, and identify:

Topics that should be revisited next quarter

Requests for data, benchmarking, or user stories

Interest in participating in focused working groups or pilots

6. Closing + Action Items (5 minutes)

Facilitator summarizes takeaways:

3–5 high-level insights or consensus signals

Timeline for summary distribution

Next roundtable date and focus topic preview

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Example Topics for Upcoming Roundtables

Serviceability + Maintenance Equity: Can smaller contractors realistically maintain next-gen HVAC systems?

Low-GWP Transition Risks: What are real and perceived risks to switching refrigerants or heat pump types?

Procurement + Disclosure Pressure: How are ESG and AB1305-style disclosures changing how HVAC is specified?

Reclaim + Circularity: How can manufacturers support refrigerant recovery and re-use from day one?

Performance Data Access: How can OEMs make it easier to integrate HVAC data into ESG or operations dashboards?

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Call to Action

If you're an OwnerOperator managing a portfolio of HVAC-intensive buildings—or an OEM designing equipment for that audience—join our quarterly roundtables. Together, we can ensure innovation reflects real market demand and supports the shared transition to zero-emissions HVAC.