HVAC Light Commercial Market

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Honing in on the high-end heating market, there have been several changes over the years, but four primary trends stand out among the rest: connectivity, efficiency, aesthetics and health, and upgraded technology.

Contractors can find a vast opportunity in selling radiant heat, which is growing in popularity as it gains further recognition by consumers and contractors alike for its unique qualities.

For many contractors, high-end heat represents a good investment with solid returns. So how do contractors get involved in high-end heating equipment? They talk to other contractors and find out what worked for them.

We all know winter is on its way. And HVAC contractors — who brave all types of weather conditions — are using this time to prepare their field technicians and installers for cold weather and the ice, sleet, and snow that come with it.

My thinking was something like this: It costs a lot, may not be all it’s claimed to be, and looks to be pretty involved (learning curve), so maybe the thing to do is to sit on the sidelines for a while to see how it does. Soon, there was broad use of technology we weren’t familiar with, and I began to sense that some of our competitors had an advantage.

According to a 2016 survey of small businesses (under 300 employees) by Nationwide, three in five do not have a succession plan in place. Of those who do, fewer than half have discussed it with a lawyer or financial advisor. Millennial business owners are most likely to have a succession plan in place (61 percent), compared with 32 percent of baby boomers and 32 percent of GenX leaders, according to the study.

Using a GPS system is gaining momentum in the HVAC industry. Contractors are finding it a reliable way to keep track of their vehicles, monitor their employees driving safety, and save time and money.

Amid icebreakers, sponsor booths, and roundtables, attendees listened to five primary speakers who each addressed a specific aspect of women in the business world.

HVAC contracting companies already have an uphill battle since there is a somewhat less than honorable stigma associated with the trade. However, many have managed to establish solid, trustworthy reputations in their service areas.

Information contained in these graphs is courtesy of the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI).