Do you want to start a HVAC business but you want to go niche for more profit? If YES, here are 20 best HVAC related business ideas & opportunities.
The heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) industry deals in heating system, ventilation, and air conditioning of a facility or a space (automobile, plane, ships, trains et al). HVAC systems are designed to provide ventilation, reduce air infiltration, and maintain pressure relationships between spaces in a particular environment.
HVAC is an important part of residential structures such as single family homes, apartment buildings, hotels and senior living facilities, medium to large industrial and office buildings such as skyscrapers and hospitals, vehicles such as cars, trains, airplanes, ships and submarines.
For humans to be able to live comfortably in their environments, building temperatures must be regulated to a point where there it is safe and healthy for the inhabitants.
According to a report by BIS Research, the global heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) market was estimated at $172.37 billion in 2017 and is expected to reach $208.55 billion by 2024, growing at a CAGR of 2.6% during the forecast period.
The conditions that have led to increased demand in the industry is as a result of rising temperatures due to global warming. Other factors that can be noted here include; increased urbanization, unprecedented population growth, and frequently changing governmental regulations for making HVAC products more energy efficient.
This goes to show that the HVAC industry is on the rise, and if you want start a business in the industry, here are a few businesses that are sure to earn you a part in this this fast rising and dynamic industry.
Best HVAC Business ideas
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Become a HVAC specialist for automobiles
The HVAC industry deals with the heating and ventilation of compact spaces such as home, vehicles train, airplanes, etc.
For you to grab a good market share of the industry for yourself so you can move your business forward, you must have to specialize in a niche, and one of such niches is to become an automobile HVAC specialist. This means that you will be working exclusively with cars.
Working exclusively with cars would prove productive because there are millions of cars on our roads today, and these cars do develop HVAC faults from time to time. One way you can maximize your profit in this niche is to be familiar with working with different brands of cars so as to be able to repair them.
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HVAC specialist for plane, ships, trains
Another HVAC related business that can net you loads of profit is to specialize in working with the big toys. By this we mean airplanes, ships and trains. It is a known fact that HVAC system of airplanes, ships and trains, would be much more complicated than that of ordinary cars, so this would entail more training.
But one thing you have to be rest assured is that if you are able to get one contract to work on a ship, train or airplane, it would cover loads of car contracts.
Know that you can only get far in this business via word of mouth, so you need to make sure that your jobs are excellent so that people can recommend you to others. Because of the delicate nature of the huge vehicles you work with, you need to be very thorough before you can get into this business.
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Become a HVAC technician
An HVAC technician is a highly skilled professional who installs and maintains climate control, ventilation and refrigeration systems. They also carry out safety, air quality and energy efficiency tests and inspections by integrating heating, cooling and ventilation systems with air ducts and power-supply systems.
HVAC technicians also install and repair related electrical wiring and control devices. Some HVAC technicians take specialized training to work with in areas such as solar heating, radiant heating or refrigerants.
Working as an HVAC technician is a labor-intensive job that can sometimes be dangerous and uncomfortable, so safety knowledge is essential. For example, techs could find themselves working in cramped spaces, spaces with little or no ventilation, or in buildings with extreme heat or no heat.
The chemicals used in cooling systems are hazardous and can cause injury if proper precautions are not taken. Also, HVAC techs may need to work irregular hours in case a customer has a heating or cooling emergency.
Technicians need formal HVAC training, usually in the form of classroom training that may or may not include an apprenticeship. They also need to get the required certification. Average salary of a HVAC technician is pegged at $43,640 per year, or $20.98 per hour.
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Become a solar heating technician
In a bid to harvest energy from the sun for our daily use on earth, a lot of processes go into it, and most of these processes are carried out by solar heating technicians. These technicians install, maintain, operate, and test equipment and energy systems that use solar energy.
Each solar energy project, from conception to installation, requires the services of many technicians with various skills. Some technicians are construction craft workers, such as plumbers, carpenters, roofers, and sheet metal workers, who install or repair solar energy systems.
Others work for architects or engineers, assisting them in the design of solar energy equipment and buildings. Sometimes systems are integrated into new buildings as they are constructed.
Older buildings are also renovated to use solar energy equipment. As of 2012, the average pay reported by solar energy technicians was $19.53 per hour and $40,620 per year. The median-earning 50 percent of solar technicians reported annual incomes ranging from $31,150 to $47,620.
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Become a Refrigeration Specialist
Refrigeration mechanics and technicians in the HVAC industry are the professionals who create and maintain a climate-controlled environment in terms of temperature, humidity, and air quality in a variety of buildings, including homes, factories, high-rise offices, shops and hospitals.
These professionals may be required to put together and install refrigeration and HVAC equipment as well as maintain and repair it in industrial, domestic or commercial settings when problems are discovered in a building’s refrigeration or AC systems, or regular maintenance is simply required, refrigeration specialists are tasked with providing the essential solutions.
HVAC refrigeration technicians assess system functioning, working on problems as they arise, such as mechanical issues.
Proper construction and maintenance of refrigeration systems is essential, as these are necessary for safety regarding the storage of perishables, such as food and medicine. In their day-to-day endeavors, refrigeration mechanics and technicians not only maintain systems but also strictly adhere to government standards in carrying out all that they do.
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Become a high pressure equipment specialist
Another business you can set up in the value chain of the HVAC is to become a high pressure equipment specialist. In this business, you have to specialize in everything that has to do with high pressure. You can build, repair and install the components, and you can as well sell these components.
You can decide to supply complete high pressure systems, gas booster systems, high pressure components and everything else for high pressure applications. Depending on your years of experience, you can custom build these components for your customers.
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Become an HVAC Mechanical Administrator
Another business you can start as a HVAC specialist is to become a HVAC mechanical administrator. An HVAC mechanical administrator supervises the installation or retrofitting of all pneumatic or electric controls, and may supervise the retrofitting of all control wiring of 48 volts or less, necessary for the operation of plumbing or water conditioning equipment so long as those modifications do not alter the electrical characteristics of the mechanical system or controls.
He or she equally supervises the installation of control wiring, or the alteration or retrofitting of controls and control wiring that alters the electrical characteristics of the mechanical system
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Sell and Install Automatic Temperature Control units
It can be expensive to leave the temperature inside your home or facility constant day and night. It is far more economical set the cooling temperature at a higher level when no one is around. Savings from a programmable thermostat or control system can be very impressive.
Recent studies show that proper usage of a programmable thermostat can cut a business’ cooling costs by 15 to 25%. This is why a lot of people now embrace things that can help them control temperature in their home and businesses automatically. This is why selling and installing automatic temperature control systems is a very profitable business.
You should be able to evaluate buildings and comfort requirements to make recommendations on which type of thermostat perfectly matches specific needs. If you are able to repair these systems when they get faulty, then you can maximize your profit.
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Mechanical Systems Temperature Control officer
Temperature control is a process in which change of temperature of a space (and objects collectively there within) is measured or otherwise detected, and the passage of heat energy into or out of the space is adjusted to achieve a desired average temperature.
Poor temperature control can cause major safety, quality, and productivity problems. Air-conditioners, space-heaters, refrigerators, water-heaters, etc. are examples of devices that perform temperature control. As a mechanical systems temperature control officer, you have to make sure that these devices are in proper working order in a mechanical system, so as to achieve the desired temperature for a closed space.
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Spacecraft thermal control Officer
In spacecraft design, the function of the thermal control system (TCS) is to keep all the spacecraft’s component systems within acceptable temperature ranges during all mission phases.
It must cope with the external environment, which can vary in a wide range as the spacecraft is exposed to deep space or to solar or planetary flux, and with ejecting to space the internal heat generated by the operation of the spacecraft itself.
Thermal control is essential to guarantee the optimum performance and success of the mission because if a component is subjected to temperatures which are too high or too low, it could be damaged or its performance could be severely affected.
Thermal control is also necessary to keep specific components (such as optical sensors, atomic clocks, etc.) within a specified temperature stability requirement, to ensure that they perform as efficiently as possible. This is where you come in as a spacecraft thermal control officer. This job requires high levels of specialization, you so have to be highly trained, though the rewards are well worth it.
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Residential Plumbing and Hydronic Heating technician
Hydronics is the use of a liquid heat-transfer medium in heating and cooling systems. The working fluid is typically water, glycol, or mineral oil. A hydronic system uses piping to circulate hot water throughout the home, which allows the heat from the liquid to radiate into the room at a comfortable and consistent temperature.
A highly efficient system that is widely considered to provide the most natural and comfortable heat for your home, a hydronic heating system is fairly simple to install and provides a thorough, even heat that will warm your house without creating an overly stuff environment. You need to get some training before you are allowed to become a plumbing and hydronics heating technician.
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Sell HVAC related products
The HVAC system in the home contains a lot of components, and these components can make you a whole lot of profit if you decide to start a business with them. What we are talking about is for you to start to start selling HVAC components to technicians who need them for installations and repairs.
Some of the heating and cooling systems you can start with include a furnace, an air conditioner and a duct system that distributes air throughout the house, evaporator coil, refrigerant lines, condensing units, ducts, vents, thermostat etc. If you do not have the capital to start this business outright from a store front, you can start with dropshipping until you can afford to go all out with it.
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Become an Auto Mechanic
Auto mechanics are responsible for a wide range of automobile services. From performing routine maintenance, such as oil changes and replacing filters to more intensive projects, such as replacing a carburetor and everything in between, quality auto mechanics are in demand to keep America’s drivers safely on the move.
Not unlike HVAC techs, working as an auto mechanic is a labor-intensive job that sometimes requires working in uncomfortable conditions and during irregular hours, such as evenings and weekends. And you get dirty from working with oil and grease.
To be a great auto mechanic, however, more than just mechanical skills are needed; auto mechanics also have to deal with customers on a daily basis, therefore, excellent communication skills are a must.
Employers looking for quality auto mechanics will prefer a high school education and formal training at a vocational or other post secondary school that includes on-the-job training. Auto mechanics can also strive to earn industry certifications to further their career. The Average salary of an auto mechanic is pegged at $36,610 per year, or $17.60 per hour.
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Offer Automotive Air Conditioning Installation and Repair Training Programs
Automotive air conditioning installation and repair certificate programs are designed to be occupational programs, and they offer only practical training courses that prepare graduates to for employment as specialized technicians.
Students can expect to receive hands-on training and learn the ins and outs of air conditioning systems in various types of automobiles. Examples of courses that you can offer in a program are introduction to automotive technology, electrical theory, and auto heating systems.
Other courses may include: Automotive service, Auto electrical systems, Auto air conditioning, Automobiles and clean air, etc. If you are properly grounded in the industry, it may be to your advantage to start training others in HVAC systems so that they can qualify for their certifications.
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Become a Solar Thermal Technician
Solar Thermal Technicians install, maintain, and repair solar energy systems designed to collect, store, and circulate solar-heated water for commercial or industrial use. Solar Thermal Technicians plan the layout of the commercial or industrial sized system by determining the placement of tanks, pumps, and solar panels to obtain optimal sun exposure;
They work safely, install solar thermal collectors; Install water heater and storage tanks; Install piping, pipe insulation and connect system piping; Install balance of system components; Install electrical control systems; Perform a system checkout and inspection;
Maintain and troubleshoot thermal system; Select and adapt system design; In new construction, they follow blueprints to connect piping, ducting, controls, and wiring; Demonstrate start-up, shut-down, safety and maintenance to system owners.
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Start an Attic Ventilation And Insulation business
Most homes built prior to the mid-’70s energy crisis were not properly insulated. The homes that were built after this period until the late ’80s suffer from being sealed so tight as not to allow enough air circulation, especially in the attic areas.
The bottom line is that the market for attic ventilation and insulation installation services is absolutely gigantic. Attic ventilation can be achieved in a variety of installation methods including installations of soffit vents, mechanical and nonmechanical roof vents, ridge vents and gable vents.
Recent studies have indicated that the preferred method of attic insulation is a fiberglass batt format vs. blown-in cellulose insulation, which can shift and/or compact.
Checking with local experts, building codes and building centers will give you the best understanding for which procedure may be required in your region. This business requires a few basic tools, such as a van or covered truck, step and extension ladders, protective safety gear, a few hand power tools and your considerable experience.
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Chimney Repairs
Brick and stone chimneys all require maintenance in order to stay structurally sound and perform to their design specifications of helping to ventilate the home. The best types of chimney repairs to focus on are repairing or replacing damaged rain pots, rebuilding crowns, installing new base and counter flashing, and repointing and sealing brick and stone chimneys.
The tools and equipment necessary for repairing chimneys are also very basic and include ladders, roof jacks, stone chisels, and a few hand tools. Providing you already have a vehicle, the business can easily be started for less than $1,000.
Chimney repair services can be marketed to homeowners by designing and distributing door hangers and fliers describing your service. Or you can work as a subcontractor providing roofing companies and home renovation contractors with chimney repair services for their clients.
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Fireplace Installation Business
Another HVAC related business you can start in the value chain of the industry is to start a fireplace installation business. Wood-burning, gas, and alternative fuels, are the types of fireplaces you can install in homes if you are considering starting a fireplace sales and installation business.
The best way to operate and market this kind of new business venture is with the assistance of a fully operational fireplace showroom.
There are hundreds of fireplace options, mantel options and fireplace accessories options for homeowners to choose from, and a retail showroom is the best way to display these products and build customer interest. Consideration for this type of retail and installation business include business location, qualified installation staff, and liability insurance, just to mention a few.
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Sell HVAC test tools
An HVAC system is only as good as the team that sets the controls and the tools that measure performance. The right tools are crucial for a successful ventilation test and balance process. Properly adjusted systems can make a building more energy-efficient and cost-effective.
A range of different instruments are needed for testing, adjusting, and balancing—or TAB. From micromanometers, to velocity meters, to air capture hoods, these tools and solutions must accurately measure airflow in and out of rooms and buildings and capture critical data.
To be part of this industry, you can start selling HVAC test tools to HVAC technicians and even homeowners who know how to use them.
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Become a testing and balancing contractor
HVAC Testing, Adjusting and Balancing (TAB) are the three major steps used to achieve proper operation of HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems. TAB usually refers to commercial building construction and the specialized contractors who employ personnel that perform this service.
In general, the TAB specialist performs air and hydronic measurements on the HVAC systems and adjusts the flows as required to achieve optimum performance of the building environmental equipment.
The balancing is usually based upon the design flow values required by the Mechanical Engineer for the project, and the TAB contractor submits a written report which summarizes the testing and balancing and notes any deficiencies found during the TAB work. You can offer this service for a profit.
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Offer HVAC Commissioning Service
HVAC Commissioning is the thorough and comprehensive testing of a mechanical system’s performance. Many owners question why they should spend more money to “fix” a system the contractor is being paid to build. Commissioning can reduce operating and maintenance costs, improve the comfort of a building’s occupants, and extend the life of an equipment.
The one-time investment in commissioning can result in major costs savings. If you are a seasoned HVAC contractor, you can choose to start a HVAC commissioning service, where you help contractors to thoroughly check and verify their jobs to see if there are up to par with industrial requirements.