There can be little doubt that with the current CoVid 19 crisis, it’s a challenging time to be working in HVAC.
While it could be argued that large numbers of customers might be interested in making sure that the ducts and filtration systems in their homes are functioning properly to limit the spread of any airborne contaminants, social distancing policies are almost certainly limiting any potential in this area. Much more damaging to the HVAC industry, long term, is the impact of economic dislocation on the industry. The health of the HVAC industry is, for obvious reasons, closely tied to the health and vigor of the construction industry; when demand is low and new homes aren’t being purchased, demand for the service of HVAC technicians tends to plunge. Indeed, it seems likely that any demand for HVAC technicians is likely to be blunted still further by the currently diminished purchasing power of average citizens. People just don’t have money in their pockets the way they normally do, and while proper HVAC installation and maintenance is certainly important (especially for overall health and safety), it’s not likely to be a priority when people are having to stretch their savings and use whatever credit they have just to get by. Hopefully, after the virus peaks—and slowly recedes—economic activity can get back to normal fairly quickly and people will once again be willing to buy homes or, if they’re home owners already, be willing to spend money on HVAC installation and maintenance. The future of HVAC, like so many industries, is very much tied to how conditions play out over the following weeks and months.