Upselling After the Install: From Solar to Smart Homes
Written by Solenery
2 min read
Introduction
You just installed solar panels or a heat pump—now what?
For Canadian clean energy contractors, the job doesn’t end at installation. In fact, the best time to boost revenue and deepen customer relationships is right after the install.
This article walks you through a smart, ethical upselling strategy that transforms one-time installs into long-term, high-value customers—all while helping Canadians build smarter, more energy-efficient homes. From smart thermostats to EV chargers, we’ll show you when and how to recommend complementary upgrades.
Why the Post-Install Window Is Prime for Upselling
After a successful install, homeowners are:
- More engaged
- More confident in your company
- Already thinking about what’s next
Stat to Know:
Net-zero contractors who follow up within 14 days of install see up to 32% higher upsell conversion rates.
Top Energy Upgrades to Pitch After Solar or Heat Pumps
Here are some of the most logical and high-value upsells, broken down by initial install type:
| Original Install | Upsell Opportunity | When to Offer |
|---|---|---|
| Solar panels | Smart thermostat | 1–2 weeks post-install |
| EV charger | 2–4 weeks post-install | |
| Battery storage (if net metering is capped) | 3–6 months in | |
| Heat pump | ERV/HRV ventilation system | After first winter use |
| Smart room sensors | 2 weeks post-install | |
| Ductless add-ons (for new rooms) | After reno plans emerge |
💡 Pro Tip:
Create a post-install email sequence that features one upgrade at a time. Avoid overwhelming customers with a full catalog.
How to Pitch Without Pushing
Your customer trusts you—don’t break that trust with generic or pushy sales tactics.
Pitch Smarter by:
- Leading with value: “Did you know you could save another 10–15% on your hydro bill?”
- Sharing personalized data: Use their install info to illustrate added ROI
- Offering free assessments: “Want us to check if an EV charger would make sense for your setup?”
Sample Upsell Script:
“Hi Sarah, your solar system is now generating clean power daily. Many Ontario homeowners like you also install a Level 2 EV charger next to their inverter. We’re offering a bundled rate—would you like us to price that out?”
Tools to Automate Your Upselling Funnel
Don’t rely on memory—let your tools do the work.
| Step | Tool | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| Post-install trigger | Zapier | Kicks off a custom email flow after install date |
| Education drip emails | Brevo / ConvertKit | Sends value-driven messages & upsell invites |
| Booking integration | Calendly | Lets clients book time without email ping-pong |
| ROI calculator | Notion / Webflow | Delivers upgrade savings estimates |
Automation = Consistency
Use these tools to send timely, personalized offers—not one-size-fits-all pitches.
Turn Upsells into Referrals
A happy upsell customer is your best referral source.
Here’s how to multiply the impact:
- After a successful upgrade, ask: “Know anyone else looking at solar or heat pumps?”
- Offer a referral bonus (gift card, discount, or free service)
- Give them a “Home Energy Ambassador” badge to share on social media
Bonus Tip:
Host a customer spotlight webinar showcasing your clients’ full net-zero journey. Let them sell for you.
Explore Partnership Opportunities
Solenery helps contractors upsell smarter—with incentive tracking tools, upgrade calculators, and post-install automation that boosts your bottom line.
Conclusion
Your best next sale is someone you’ve already helped.
By introducing the right upgrades at the right time, you’ll:
- Deepen customer trust
- Increase lifetime value
- Stand out in Canada’s competitive clean energy space
With the right message, timing, and tools, upselling isn’t pushy—it’s a service.
At Solenery, we’ve built a system to support the people doing the real work—installers, HVAC pros, energy advisors, and more.