As the sun rises on New Year’s Day, the commercial HVAC industry faces several challenges and opportunities. I am no Nostradamus, but the various trade associations, industry-focused economic reports, and general news point to eight trends that will impact the marketplace.

The good news is that as High-Performance HVAC contractors, these trends can play into your hands if you continue testing and measuring system performance and offering your commercial customers choices that will see them through 2024.

In a press release from GlobeNewswire, Mordor Intelligence says that the HVAC industry is on fire. According to an article on the Service Business Evolution (SBE) website, HVAC companies generate $150 billion in annual revenue and employ over 1.5 million people in the U.S.

SBE says, “The HVAC industry is expected to continue to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1% from 2021 to 2026.”

They add that this is due to the U.S. HVAC Industry replacing more than three million air conditioning systems.

This growth isn’t only due to the typical economics that has impacted the industry in years past – but rather to the significant transformations driven by innovation and a commitment to sustainability and efficiency.

With that in mind, here are some trends to watch out for.

Demand for Better Energy Efficiencies

Efficiency demand isn’t new, but smart technologies play an even more significant role than in years past. Integrating smart technology into commercial HVAC systems is more prevalent than ever because it offers commercial building customers improved energy efficiency, remote monitoring capabilities, and predictive HVAC maintenance opportunities. Add into that a by-product of the COVID pandemic, the surge in focus on indoor air quality which continues growing.

Energy efficiencies tie into sustainability as well. The HVAC industry is making big moves toward more eco-friendly materials and practices. I am talking about the push to replace existing refrigerants in favor of A2Ls, sustainable building design, deVAP HVAC (Desiccant-Enhanced eVaprative HVAC), as well as increased focus on solar HVAC systems, geothermal, and more.

DeVAP HVAC systems, according to SBE, are being touted as the “future of air conditioning.” These systems use evaporative cooling, where desiccant in liquid form and evaporative coolers work together to cool a room or an area of a building. These systems are already commercially used but are now beginning to appear in residential applications.

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