Welcome to the HVAC Equipment Lease Class Action Website

If you are a homeowner in Canada (except Quebec) and you are or were at any time party to a lease agreement for HVAC or HVAC-related Equipment with Crown Crest, Sandpiper Energy Solutions, Simply Green Home Services, or HCSI Home Comfort (defined as “Settling Defendants” below) between July 17, 2013 and January 15, 2025, you could be affected by these class action lawsuits involving certain alleged breaches of consumer protection legislation and other claims.

The class actions apply to all individuals in Canada, with the exception of residents of Quebec, who are or were at any time, directly or indirectly, party to a consumer agreement to lease HVAC or HVAC-Related Equipment involving the Settling Defendants, regardless of the identity of the vendor that originated the consumer agreement, between July 17, 2013, and January 15, 2025 (the "Class").

The parties have agreed to settle the class action as against all of the Settling Defendants. The settlement does not constitute a concession or admission of liability, wrongdoing, fault, or omission by the Settling Defendants, and the settlement has been made on the basis that none of the allegations have been proven.

SETTLEMENT BENEFITS

The settlement agreement provides the following benefits to eligible individuals:

• A cash payment of $17,000,000;
• Cash participation in the sale proceeds of the companies protected under the CCAA proceeding in the amount of 25% of the purchase price paid over $250 million in relation to any transaction concluded in accordance with a court-approved sale process (e.g., where the business is sold for $251 million, the Class would receive 25% of the $1 million dollars over the threshold, being $250,000);
• For a sub-group of class members to be identified based on certain criteria more specifically described in the Distribution Protocol, cancellation and arrears forgiveness of $13,500,000 worth of ongoing lease agreements and gifting the equipment thereunder to the affected consumers without further payment or obligation;
• A permanent cap shall apply to the annual increase of payments under the lease agreement at 3.5% per annum for leases currently held by the Settling Defendants;
• A permanent 25% reduction in lease buy-out prices for certain HVAC equipment for leases currently held by the Settling Defendants; and
• A consent court order to the effect that no notice of security interest or similar lien anywhere in Canada shall be enforceable in respect of leases currently held by the Settling Defendants, together with an individualized letter to affected class members confirming that notices of security interest or other encumbrance registered by the Settling Defendants are of no force and effect. The letter will authorize a lawyer engaged by a class member to seek to discharge same from title engaged by the class member at their own expense.

HOW TO RECEIVE YOUR SHARE OF THE SETTLEMENT FUNDS

The CLAIMS PERIOD HAS NOW BEGUN. You can submit a claim for CASH COMPENSATION if you paid the Settling Defendants a buyout or termination fee. You can submit a claim for LEASE CANCELATION if you have an active lease with the Settling Defendants.

MORE INFORMATION

Additional information about the settlement can be found on the Documents page of this website.