The HVAC industry has always changed at a rapid pace, and 2020 looks to be no exception. As smart technology gets smarter and more eco-conscious millennials graduate into home ownership, HVAC pros should expect to see more business involving greener technology, better building automation, and smarter homes.
Each of these trends has been building for several years, to be sure. But shifting consumer demands mean they’re about to transition from trends to mainstream expectations.
If you’re an HVAC specialist who’s been sticking to the “same old, same old” year after year, then 2020 is when you need to change things up and grow your expertise in the following areas.
Greener Technology
From upgrades and retrofits to new construction, the social shift to more energy efficient HVAC systems will continue in 2020, and that’s a big win for industry pros. Not only are these systems and technologies better for the environment, in poll after poll millennials state they’re willing to pay more for greener tech.
This means HVAC pros need to be up to speed on the latest advances in energy efficiency, and grow their expertise in eco-energy tech, such as solar and geothermal.
It also signals an opportunity for HVAC specialists to be proactive about legislative changes that aim to increase energy efficiency, as many of these coincide with incentivized rebates to encourage early adoption. HVAC pros are in a unique position to help consumers on the benefits of these upgrades.
Building Automation and Control
While this trend has been growing for several years, 2020 might be when it becomes more sophisticated than ever. There’s an increasing demand for whole-building automation and centralized control of mechanical systems.
This goes far beyond a control panel or piece of software, from which a user can oversee the entire building system. The trajectory of this trend is for buildings to self-monitor, self-control, and even self-diagnose issues using artificial intelligence and machine learning.
This means HVAC pros need to be fluent in an entirely new wave of commercial-grade smart products, technology, software, and cybersecurity protocols.
Smarter (and Healthier) Homes
In a similar vein, more residential homeowners want streamlined and intuitive smart systems that connect everything in their home—lights, blinds, heating, cooling, and so on.
This is another trend driven by millennials, who are a very health conscious group, one that’s increasingly aware what impact the indoor s can have on health and happiness. Maintaining healthy indoor air quality, for example, is one area where smart technology and HVAC intersect.
HVAC pros who want to take advantage of this trend will want to be familiar with connected HVAC equipment and compatible smart home protocols. They’ll also want to enhance their level of collaboration with forward-thinking builders who specialize in designing smart homes from the ground up.
