There are currently 80,000 job openings in HVAC, plumbing, and electrical trades, which are expected to increase by 15% by 2026. With retirement in HVAC to cover 26% of the industry within the next 10 years, the technician shortage is alarming. The good news is technology can better position service management businesses to attract a new generation of trade professionals.

Cloud technology is changing how HVACR systems are made, monitored, and fixed. This goes beyond new gadgets – it is making the industry more interesting and more efficient, especially for young people who have grown up using smartphones and the internet. For them, cloud technology in HVACR opens new possibilities—beyond just a job. We've outlined three reasons why advanced technology tools are going to re-energize the industry.

It Offers a New-School Mindset

When “work smarter, not harder” becomes the industry standard, cloud technology is a must-have. It makes learning more interesting and training much more accessible—especially for young people. It opens doors to online learning materials and tools where people can learn new things about their field anytime and anywhere. This is great because they can learn at their own pace in a convenient manner, whether at home, at work, or on the go. This is useful for people who need to fit learning into their busy schedules.

Trade Workers Can Do More with Less

Today's HVAC systems are equipped with smart sensors that are constantly collecting information. Tracking and reading all that information manually is a tedious job, and it leaves room for mistakes to be made. Paired with cloud technology tools, trade professionals can jump to the problem-solving. Things like spotting small maintenance issues early and addressing them before they become bigger, more expensive repairs are incredibly valuable; or making small adjustments on the spot to help keep equipment working longer with less downtime. Cloud technology can help trade workers do their jobs faster and better.

The Impact is Greener

Cloud technology has made smart climate control systems possible. Not only does this cut down on energy usage, but it also helps create a more eco-minded approach to HVACR. Young people care about the planet. They want greener jobs and embracing cloud technology is one way businesses can help reach environmental goals.

Adding cloud technology to HVACR helps push the industry forward, and it will attract the next wave of trade professionals who are already tech-savvy. They’ll get to work with advanced systems and technology tools all while helping make the world a better place, making the HVACR field a perfect career choice for those who love technology and care about the environment.