Contactors from the residential HVAC industry have experienced challenges and changes over a year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Some of these increased existing trends became beyond the pandemic. Therefore, executives from three OEMs, Tom Overs, Mike Branson, and Justin Keppy, set an online meeting to discuss where the residential HVAC industry is and where it is heading. The meeting was held by Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) via a video conference.
According to Overs, when the economy came to a halt, the HVAC contractors experienced a long struggle. But after Memorial Day, clients started investing in homes from the summer vacation savings. Therefore, HVAC contractors responded to them, offering a comfortable and improved indoor experience.
The rise of the demand brought pressure to the HVAC equipment supply chain. Later, the pandemic challenge led to labor shortage, workers absenteeism due to exposure or illness, and social distancing demands. The numerous precautions slowed productivity in the commercial HVAC industry. Providing the right products and services at the framed time became challenging. Despite the challenges, they did the right things for their workers.
Though the challenges continue even today, it has shown where the commercial HVAC industry strengths are, exposing them to some opportunities. It has also raised the need for a better ordering practice and communication towards its clients. Keppy urged the need to make fulfillment processes more visible. He also remarked manufacturers need to up their game to incorporate client demand forecasts.
Keppy suggested setting better websites that educate clients and offer solutions concerning IAQ. That was necessary since the public became fascinated with IAQ due to the precaution measures laid by the health organizations. But it was another one of the many trends that snowballed during the pandemic, with great attention in slathering with hand sanitizers to scrubbing groceries.
One of the challenges that have continued to press is the commercial labor shortage. But Branson remarked on positive movements to be seen in that field. He has noticed an increase in HVAC scholarships since he has attended many high schools award ceremonies. Hence supports HVAC contractors engaging with their local schools.
Today, HVAC businesses are more digital as they move to thermostats and technology rather than the mechanical system. As the pandemic subsides, they are now attentive to other issues such as environmental issues as they move to lower GWP refrigerants. However, the executives agreed to abide by the changes for HVAC contractors.