The Demand for HVACR Technicians Is Heating Up in 2016

HVACR technicians are in high demand now and will likely continue to be so for the foreseeable future. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that job growth for this field is a 14% which is much faster than average. ¹ Moreover, a report by the HVACR Workforce Development Foundation notes that by the year 2022, the United States alone will need 115,000 new HVACR workers. ²

Construction Boom

The United States is experiencing a construction boom. The multi-family home construction boom ³ is set to last into 2016 as the growing demand for apartments fuels the construction of apartment buildings in various parts of the United States.

Demand for Better Technology

A person who is taking HVAC classes would do well to learn about the latest developments in the industry. As a recent HVACR industry report states, ductless HVAC units are set to grow in popularity ⁴, eventually representing 10% of all residential HVAC units and 5% of all commercial ones. Geothermal heating and cooling systems as well as radiant floor heating are also expected to remain popular among consumers.

Other trends are the increased use of business mobility software in the industry and the use of apps for creating preventative maintenance schedules. Smart thermostats are also likely to become more common as homeowners seek to save energy and money by adjusting temperatures when not at home via their smartphone.

HVACR technicians who intend to work with refrigerants will find ones with less environmental impact (GWP) refrigerants are gaining popularity as companies and government agencies look for ways to reduce carbon footprints. The White House recently stated in a press release that the Department of Defense would be switching over to a low GWP refrigerant in 2016. The statement also noted that well-known companies such as Emerson Climate Technologies, Goodman Global, and Honeywell have begun or will soon begin using low GWP refrigerants for their products.

New EPA Carbon Pollution Standards

The EPA’s new Carbon Pollution Standards may be politically controversial, but one fact is indisputable – these standards will have a significant impact on the HVACR industry both now and in the near future. The National Resources Defense Council has found that these standards have the potential to create nearly 275,000 new jobs for HVACR workers and other skilled workers.

The HVACR industry is undergoing a great deal of growth, creating numerous job opportunities for HVACR engineers, technicians, contractors, installers, and repair people. Even so, it is important to note that certain fields in this industry are growing more rapidly than others. Energy efficient, eco-friendly units and technology will be in particularly high demand, which means that it is important for anyone either currently attending or interested in HVAC vocational school to learn about new trends in the field in order to find profitable employment in 2016.