Awareness, Efficiency, Controls Continue to Shape Radiant Sector

LAS VEGAS — The advent of electronically commutated motors (ECMs) and sophisticated zoning controls are shaping the radiant market as the general public continues to learn of its benefits and applications, which span walls, ceilings, and cooling applications.

PUMPS AND CONTROLS

Michael E. Wilburn, president, Infloor Heating Systems, said radiant is becoming even more desirable, thanks to the energy-saving benefits of ECM pumps.

“These circulators can be set up for variable fixed speed, constant pressure, and proportional pressure,” Wilburn said. “And, they use up to 85 percent less electrical energy, which makes them environmentally friendly.”

Consumers are always interested in saving energy, which, in turn, saves money, said Wilburn.

“These systems are able to adjust to the correct flow rates based on the number of zones calling at any given time. Using ECM pumps would also simplify the piping in the hydronic system and reduce the need for pressure differential bypass devices,” he said. “Using these types of pumps would also allow contractors to carry fewer pumps on their trucks for replacements.”

One of Infloor’s most popular products is its pre-piped and wired mechanical boards.

“We’ve implemented ECM pumps into our mechanical boards along with a magnetic dirt separator to increase the life of the pump,” Wilburn said. “We size the circulators based on our Infloor OEM LoopCAD design for the project, which allows us to select the correct pump for the system. This product also allows users to achieve better system performance.”

Mark Chaffee, vice president of governmental affairs and sustainability, Taco Comfort Solutions, said consumers who are unaware of radiant’s benefits often find that the technology more than exceeds their expectations.

“Even after the U.S.’s exciting ‘radiant renaissance,’ which many would agree was the period between 1995 and 2005 — when it seemed that everything new in hydronics was exclusively tied to radiant heat — radiant is still a viable trend in the HVAC industry. People who’ve never experienced it ask for it, and it seems that most installers who do hydronic work have had experience with radiant heat, which can be installed in floors, walls, ceilings, and with the use of radiant panels, too,” Chaffee said. “One common concern, chiefly among old-school hydronics contractors, is that the technology was too complicated. Taco has put a lot of resources into research and development to demystify radiant and toward making out-of-the-box solutions that do the job with elegant simplicity.”

Watts Radiant, a Watts Water Technologies Inc. Co., recently released its ThermalPro pre-piped insulated pumping stations for mechanical rooms, which are available in a variety of non-mixed and mixed configurations. They allow installation and connection of a boiler (or other hydronic heat source) to any component in a heating system. The stations come complete with supply and return connections, a check stop, isolation valves, sensor wells, a pressure bypass valve, and a circulator. All units are completely encased in compact multi-piece foam insulation and can be installed as either an independent unit or combined in a header containing up to five units with both mixed and non-mixed units.

In addition to the ThermalPro, Michael Breault, senior product manager, hydronic radiant, Watts Radiant, mentioned the company is working on producing a control system across its brands to help simplify the installation process.

“We’re aiming to take the technical challenge out of the mechanicals,” Breault said. “We’re focused on zone synchronization. Previously, radiant and hydronics systems operated in an autocratic society. The thermostat would say, ‘I need heat,’ and the boiler would provide it, resulting in the boiler going on and off and failing to provide efficiency. We turned it into a democratic society. The thermostat calls for heat, and the boiler control says, ‘I got a call for heat, do any of the other zones need it? OK, this zone needs it for six minutes, another needs it for four minutes, and that zone doesn’t need it, so it can wait.’ We’re loading up the boiler so it answers one call for heat at the peak efficiency.”

Breault said he’s seen documented cases of 3-year-old boilers that have more than 200,000 cycles on them because every zone is calling for heat independently.

“With this tekmar Watts Radiant controls strategy that we’re embarking on, we’re trying to look at the whole system. We want to know what’s happening in every part of the house with every thermostat, pump, mixing valve, heat source, etc. We want to know how they’re being used and how we can get them all to perform more efficiently as a complete unit. I can make the boiler really efficient, but the system may be bad, and I can make the system really efficient, but the boiler may be bad. Why not make it all work together?”

Uponor North America showcased its Climate Control Zoning System II control system for radiant in-floor systems, which features an innovative technology called Autobalancing.

The new Autobalancing technology in the system calculates the actual energy needs of single rooms and adapts the heat output of each loop by controlling the actuator’s on and off cycle. For example, a short loop might get 20 percent on time while a long loop receives 60 percent on time. This technology allows the system to react to temperature changes faster and offers greater energy savings in the process.

“The beauty of Autobalancing is it continues through the seasons, throughout the household’s changing usage patterns, and completely removes the need for manual balancing of the system,” said Jeff Wiedemann, product manager, controls at Uponor.

The complete Climate Control Zoning System II offering consists of a base unit, an expansion module, and digital or dial thermostats. A single base unit in the system can support up to six thermostats and eight actuators. Adding an expansion module will increase the number of thermostats and actuators the system can handle to 12 and 14, respectively.

“With the new Autobalancing technology and the ease of installation with a wireless system, the Climate Control Zoning System II is our best controls offering yet for residential radiant floor heating systems,” Wiedemann said.

Continuing to broaden its scope and product offerings to better serve an expanding high-efficiency requirement in the marketplace, Superior Radiant Products Inc. introduced the SRP AccuRATE® Control with BACnet connectivity. The control is fully customizable and can be used to operate any of the company’s infrared heating products.

The control has the ability to operate as an independent building management system, can monitor and control modulating infrared heating systems, and may fully monitor schedules and actual temperature conditions in the heated space within an intuitive, fully customized interface.

“The infrared industry is really focusing in on improving its control interfaces with a focus on energy efficiency,” said Timothy Seel, North American sales and marketing manager, Superior Radiant Products Inc. “The benefit for contractors is that it makes things much more straight forward when it comes to providing the high-end stuff. A lot of our equipment goes into industrial spaces that have other concerns than building management. Our dependence in the past has been to emulate what a thermostat does, and now we have the capability to provide a much more visual interface than what was previously available with this level of equipment. We can now draw a map of the building, locate the equipment on that map, and provide a diagram of what’s on and off and what’s available.”

RADIANT COOLING

Another trend now experiencing significant growth in the commercial sector is radiant cooling, which is now available through floors, walls, and ceiling panels. Among those innovations, perhaps the largest growth has occurred in hydronic chilled beam systems.

“These systems circulate chilled water through tubing embedded in a metal ceiling fixture to wick away heat,” Chaffee said. “What makes this technology so interesting is its broad applicability for commercial structures. Key advantages include conservation of interior real estate and water. Water, which is the main transporter of thermal energy, is much denser than air and permits a very high energy-carrying capacity and a smaller transport system.

“Because chilled beams are ceiling-mounted and do not use drain pans, the chilled water supply temperatures must be above the ambient dew point. As a result dehumidification, or latent cooling, is handled by a separate 100 percent dedicated outdoor system [DOAS] supplying dry, conditioned air to the space.”

Semco LLC introduced its latest chilled beam cassette, the LYRA II™, at the AHR Expo. The 2-by-2-foot active chilled beam cassette is capable of delivering personalized pinpoint temperature and humidity levels via a digital controller.

The LYRA II is a quiet, cooling/heating chilled beam capable of precise airflow patterns and velocities for smaller spaces under 300 square feet, such as offices, hallways, or patient rooms in commercial, hospital, and educational new construction and retrofit applications.

The LYRA II is an all-in-one mounting cassette designed to fit 2-by-2-foot ceiling grids. It also digitally controls 11-150 feet per minute discharge velocities. Its 8.5-inch-deep enclosure is designed to suppress turbulence and operational airflow noise to below 20-dB levels.

“A traditional chilled beam only throws in two directions while the LYRA II throws in four directions,” said Steve Ulm, director of marketing and product management, Semco. “This gives us more control at the micro level as we get a better flow pattern in the room. When people feel more comfortable, they’re more productive.”

Ulm said the company is focusing on providing optimized comfort at the most intimate level.

“Our products are designed to make water-source hydronic systems more efficient. We’re geared to micromanage them down to the individual room versus large zones of multiple rooms. This makes everything more efficient because we’re dealing with the delivery of comfort at the smallest level. With our systems, you don’t have to deal with large amounts of water; you’re only dealing with micro amounts of water.”  

The Golden Age of HVACR Software

LAS VEGAS — HVACR contractors and technicians are living in a Golden Age of software as products exist today to help contractors solve just about any business or technical need. In addition, the explosive growth of smartphones has led to hundreds of apps that can provide instant access to help anywhere and anytime it’s needed.

Here’s a look at what some of the HVACR software industry’s major players were displaying at the 2017 AHR Expo along with their insights into the trends that bear watching.

AUTODESK

With the increasing adoption of building information modeling (BIM), building equipment manufacturers are increasingly being asked to provide BIM models of their products for consumption by building engineers and contractors, said Lisa Campbell, vice president of design and manufacturing, Autodesk Inc.

“This capability impacts building manufacturers’ abilities to win more work and get their products specified early on in building projects,” Campbell said. “While some manufacturers rely on third-party consultants to create BIM libraries of their products to respond to market demands, others partner with Autodesk to integrate BIM within their existing sales and design processes.”

Campbell added that building equipment manufacturers can now deliver BIM-compliant models directly from their engineering data. With Autodesk Inventor 2017 rules-based design and engineering automation, equipment manufacturers can publish 3-D product models for customers to configure online within their specifications and fabrication constraints as well as deliver BIM content of these models on demand. BIM libraries are hosted on manufacturers’ websites directly within their product configurators, which enable equipment manufacturers to remain in control of their product data while developing a BIM strategy for sustainable growth.

DATA-BASICS

Mobile data processing and automation technology are mainstream tools for most service companies, and field employees generate volumes of data as part of their standard work processes. That means HVACR service software is trending toward analytics intelligence that can easily organize this raw information into practical images that reveal an in-depth view of the operational landscape, said David Jack, president of Data-Basics Inc.

“Service companies striving to stay on the cutting-edge need powerful tools to spot trends and anomalies in areas, such as service and inventory management, financial health, and more,” Jack said. “Companies that are best able to gather and process their information will have a significant advantage in the marketspace.”

DBAnalytics is designed to provide organizations with new insights and better answers, help manage risk, improve return on investment, and increase yield. Fully imbedded into SAMPro Enterprise Software, DBAnalytics includes hundreds of analytics that drill into accumulating data to address key business issues and processes in various departments and all field operations. According to Data-Basics reps, DBAnalytics allows key personnel to access instant, real-time business analysis reports with rich, easy-to-create, interactive management dashboards that run in any browser locally or in the field. Additional settings allow users to securely share information, receive automated updates, and create multi-level analytics to help make the supporting data and reports easily accessible.

DAVISWARE

There was a time when technology was used to create back-office efficiency. Today, technology is an added value used to create a better customer experience for consumers, said Jennifer Davis, president, Davisware Inc.

“Integrated field technology is the future. It’s providing clientele with reliable, real-time information via state-of-the-art GPS solutions, smart equipment technology, and an online web portal,” Davis said. “These technologies require solid back-end enterprise resource planning (ERP) to serve as the data warehouse, which is the source for data metrics and analytics to improve the contracting business.”

Davisware’s S2K Vision is the follow-up to S2K (formerly S2000). The new, enhanced platform is designed as a browser-based, structured, query-language database solution. Vision can be supported by the cloud or hosted locally with flexible subscription or licensed model pricing. According to Davis, Vision incorporates an integrated GPS solution, platform-agnostic field technology, a customer web portal, integrated credit card solutions, surveying/social media review offerings, and accounting solutions (either integrated or third-party compatible) to provide a comprehensive end-to-end ERP solution in the HVACR industry.

DISTRIBUTOR CORP. OF NEW ENGLAND

Nancy Kolligian, CEO, Distributor Corp. of New England (DCNE), said the software industry is moving away from packaged solutions and toward web-based applications that are more modular in nature.

“A strong application program interface (API) is the key to building flexible and scalable software,” she said. “It allows companies to integrate with best-in-breed solutions for non-core functions.”

According to Kolligian, the geospatial industry is a prime example of this.

“Big players are spending hundreds of millions of dollars to find new ways to quickly and accurately measure a space,” she said. “It’s still unclear which technology will achieve the highest level of adoption, and we do not want to box ourselves into a technology corner by picking just one. We would prefer to connect with all of them.”

The latest version of DCNE’s Cool Calc represents a complete redesign from the ground up and is focused around connectivity, according to Kolligian. She said the company wanted to be agnostic when it came to sources of dimensional data, so Cool Calc was rebuilt on a flexible API architecture that allows users to extend its capabilities using DCNE’s “Connector Exchange,” which is designed to work like an app store.

“Our original Google Maps connector has been revamped, and we also added connectors for OpenStreetMaps, MagicPlan, Stanley Floor Plan, and EagleView,” Kolligian said. “These connectors use the latest room-measuring technology, including augmented reality, Bluetooth lasers, and 3-D modeling from drone imagery.”

DESCO

Software isn’t new to the HVACR industry, but now more than ever, contractors’ input will be crucial in deciding what features should be developed next, said Rameez Ansari, CEO, Desco LLC.

“Going forward, the software companies that succeed will be the ones that have embraced contractors as partners in developing their products,” Ansari said. “On the consumer-facing side, software is empowering technicians to provide better service through stored customer history, easy price presentation, and the ability to take payments in the field. Homeowners want to feel like they’re making informed decisions, and software plays a key role in doing that.”

FieldEdge, Desco’s new cloud-based product, is designed to help home service contractors run their entire businesses and to allow owners to quickly access and assess their companies’ performances. An intuitive dashboard highlights sources for additional revenue and gives insight into the performance of technicians and dispatchers. In addition, the product’s mobile app is designed to give technicians access to their work orders, tasks, services, and materials on the go. It also includes a fully customizable pricebook that allows techs to present good-better-best options, which Desco says leads to a better customer experience and more revenue.

ELITE SOFTWARE

HVACR software is increasingly becoming web-based, allowing it to work on any device, smartphone, tablet, or computer that has internet access. Bill Smith, president of Elite Software, said the first such products were primarily for mobile applications, where contractors were dealing with customers on-site and needed to retrieve equipment, warranty, and service information as well as perform billing and payment processing.

“Nowadays, even more applications that were traditionally done on desktop computers can now be done on internet-connected devices,” Smith said. “Many HVAC specific tasks, such as HVAC load calculations and estimating, are now web-based and desktop-capable, so contractors can enjoy the full power of a desktop computer along with the mobility and flexibility of their favorite mobile devices, such as smartphones.”

Elite Software’s latest offering, RHVAC Online, is a web-based software product designed to be used with all smartphones, tablets, and computers with internet access. It performs ACCA Manual J load calculations, Manual D duct sizing, and Manual S equipment selections. According to Smith, RHVAC Online has everything contractors need to comply with the latest international residential code requirements. Projects are saved in the cloud and can be imported and exported to Elite Software’s RHVAC Desktop software.

MHELPDESK

Vincent Wong, CEO, mHelpDesk, said HVAC businesses are switching from older software solutions to cloud-based systems to improve operational efficiencies. Disconnected systems are becoming a thing of the past.

“Much of that is driven by customer demand,” he said. “They want a true online experience, where communication, documentation, and customer service moves much faster than was even possible a decade ago.”

Wong added that mobile solutions powered by the cloud also allow HVAC businesses to deliver better service while in the field.

“Real-time digital data is reducing costs and increasing profits all while keeping customers and employees happier,” he said.

Launched in June 2016, the mHelpDesk mobile app is designed to provide everything an HVAC company needs to manage its business and team, even from the job site. With access to real-time customer and job information as well as the ability to schedule appointments, create and send estimates, and get signatures on their mobile devices, employees are more productive and save time, according to Wong. With offline mode, teams have access to job details, even when Wi-Fi and a cell signals are unavailable.

QA GRAPHICS

The HVAC industry has entered a new era in building automation system (BAS) software as HTML5 provides the ability to incorporate advanced special effects and user interaction within a web environment. BAS/HVAC graphics are no longer relied on by the control manufacturers. That’s the word from Dan McCarty, president and owner of QA Graphics.

According to McCarty, as building systems become more sophisticated, building operators require higher-quality building automation graphics. The detailed, custom graphics in QA Graphics’ new BAS Symbol Library v5 are designed to make it possible to monitor complicated systems with ease across multiple platforms while giving a system a unified look, regardless of the control software. These high-quality BAS and HVAC graphics, which McCarty said are built in-house with state-of-the-art 3-D software and rendering styles, allow users to differentiate themselves with appealing graphics that realistically represent the mechanical systems in place.

“It has become progressively apparent that companies see the need for more sophisticated building automation software with a unified look and feel for the graphics along with building graphics in HTML5 as a key operative,” McCarty said. “As the technology proves to be a powerful tool, it will advance the end user to become faster, smarter, and better.”

SAWIN SERVICE AUTOMATION

The ongoing trend in software is the marriage of proven business processes with the fast-paced evolution of technology — specifically mobile solutions, according to David Haycraft, president, Sawin Service Automation Inc. For example, the customers of commercial HVACR firms want personal access to equipment logs, planned maintenance schedules, completed and pending work orders, and other details, Haycraft said. Therefore, as part of its Pro Enterprise software, Sawin developed a customer portal that allows contractors to offer the transparency their clients are seeking.

In the field, utilizing a mobile work order on a smartphone, tablet, or PC is now the standard, and most firms have some form of this technology in place, Haycraft added. Meanwhile, in the office, the trend continues to be data analysis.

Sawin Mobile is designed to provide technicians with features that allow them to fulfill their objectives on each ticket, collect as much data as possible, increase sales on the spot, and channel the sales lead to the correct party within their firms. Pro Enterprise software then allows the data gathered in the field to be easily compiled and presented in reports that can identify trends in the business and problem areas to improve upon as well as provide an overview of the company’s strengths and weaknesses for strategic planning, according to Haycraft.

“Our ideology has always been that a truly integrated solution is the best way to achieve the results our clients want,” Haycraft said. “The future for our industry will be better utilization of the evolving technology of delivery and collection of data to attain tangible and measurable results.”

APPS

BuildingReports.com Inc. unveiled HVACScan™, the latest addition to its ScanSeries® suite of mobile applications for Android™ and iOS®. According to BuildingReports, the HVACScan application and software-as-a-service solution is designed to offer HVACR service providers a competitive advantage in securing new contracts and generating more recurring revenue. Through a barcoding point-and-scan process, HVACScan allows technicians to provide verifiable electronic documentation for commercial and industrial systems and devices.

“Because all service reporting, warranty and recall information, photographic documentation, and maintenance details are available online instead of within a binder or filing cabinet, facility management companies and professionals have immediate, 24/7 access to all service and system records,” said Jason Kronz, BuildingReports’ president and chief technology officer.

Kony Inc., an enterprise mobility company, and KMC Controls have developed the KMC Connect Lite mobile application, which is designed to speed up the pre-commissioning process of KMC Conquest controllers by simplifying field configuration and installation. The KMC Connect Lite app is the first in a series of mobile applications and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions that KMC Controls plans to develop using Kony’s cloud-based platform. According to KMC Controls, customers using the Connect Lite mobile app can significantly reduce system installation setup time.

LG Electronics USA Air Conditioning Systems launched its Telepresence mobile application at the AHR Expo. Now, via the app, contractors will benefit from immediate assistance from an LG technician for fast, on-site troubleshooting. According to LG, the app allows LG experts to provide contractors real-time feedback and step-by-step instructions quickly and efficiently.

The Telepresence app is available to download for Android or iOS users and online at telepresence.lge.com.

Regal Beloit Corp. has added two new features to its Browning Toolbox Technician app-based toolset for HVAC contractors and maintenance professionals.

Enhancements to the app include a mobile motor interchange that enables users to identify a Marathon® motor equivalent while in the field. This feature provides detailed information related to the Marathon Integral Horsepower Motor (IHP) equivalent for the majority of commercial HVAC motors, including efficiency levels, dimensions, line drawings, bearing type, and mounting.

In addition, the new retrofit audit sheet is designed to simplify the belt optimization process. Technicians can now fill out the standard form for a belt-drive optimization electronically versus manually and submit that information to a Regal professional for evaluation and follow-up all within the app. Regal can then provide an assessment with recommendations on selecting the optimal drive based on current design criteria to reduce the cost of components and increase belt drive efficiencies.

The Evolution of HVAC Training

Training employees is an important part of every successful small business owner’s agenda. 

Training helps employees perfect their craft. In HVAC contracting terms, this means better installations, more comprehensive service, and more thorough maintenance, which results in a more successful business.

With the entire industry suffering through a technician shortage, contractors are challenged with maintaining their current employees’ knowledge levels while attempting to keep up with technological and government-created changes.

The amount of hours technicians are trained, the types of training required, and the trainings technicians attend are all fluid elements HVAC contractors must navigate on a case-by-case basis. Here’s some insight from a few contractors from across the nation on the ever-changing HVAC training process.

STEP ONE

Once a technician is hired in, most contractors approach training based on that individual’s resume and experience.

“The number of hours technicians spend in training depends on each individual’s experience. Seasoned technicians typically receive around 80 hours proving what they know, going through process training, and receiving culture training. Guys that lack experience — the more entry-level guys — undergo a minimum of 160 hours to 300 or more hours, depending on their schooling, if any, and their capacity to understand the job,” said Matt Bergstrom, owner, Thornton & Grooms Heating Cooling, and Plumbing, Farmington Hills, Michigan.

The common theme among technicians was an average of 100 hours when a new, entry-level technician enters the team and 50 hours for seasoned technicians. However, not everyone bases the amount of training on an hourly scale.

“We do not have training requirements in this regard, but rely on years of experience when hiring. All new hires are required to ride with an experienced technician for two weeks. The experienced technician reports his or her assessment of the new hire’s capabilities,” said Ann Kahn, owner of Kahn Mechanical Contractors in Dallas.

But not all contractors guarantee that technicians are ready to move right into the field after they’ve completed their allotted training.

“After the first three weeks, each team member is evaluated and either moves on to the new hire qualification interview or receives additional training hours,” said Todd Kletz, owner, Classic Air’s One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning, Virginia Beach, Virginia.

TYPES OF TRAINING

While the amount of time a technician is trained is important, the exact training they receive is critical.

With each brand comes different components and approaches, and more and more contractors are ensuring their technicians are trained on each individual brand and proprietary equipment they offer.

Being trained by the manufacturers themselves allows technicians an in-depth take on the equipment they are selling from the people who know the equipment better than anybody. Manufacturer training provides a detailed education for technicians and gives them a leg up on the competition.

In addition to manufacturer training, many contractors conduct their own in-house training. These training approaches vary with each company.

“We do our own training, which is apprentice to junior technician, junior technician one to junior technician two, junior technician two to senior technician one, senior technician one to senior technician two, and senior technician two to field supervisor. Also, through all these positions, they are attending an apprenticeship program that is a four-year course to get their journeyman’s license, which is a total of 612 hours of class work and 8,000 hours of on-the-job training,” said Rob Minnick, owner of Minnick’s Inc. in Laurel, Maryland.

In-house training varies and is not just centered on HVAC training. Training spans numerous areas so that employees are well-informed and well-rounded.

“We train on customer service, experience, and the importance of maintenance. Then, we give light business training so that installers understand what the company goes through, as well,” said Travis Smith, owner of Sky Heating and Cooling in Portland, Oregon.

Furthermore, contractors like to seek out third-party companies for training.

“We use service system training from the Nexstar Network,” Bergstrom said. “It’s a great common language for taking care of customers and making sure they get everything they need in terms of options.” 

A member-owned organization, Nexstar provides business networking opportunities through business training classes and leadership events. Member dues stay in the organization to build new and enhanced education, training, and business solutions.

“We minimize operating expenses and channel virtually all remaining funds to research and development, programs, materials, and member services that are supported by a professional staff,” said Jack Tester, president and CEO, Nexstar Network.

Similarly, Classic Air’s One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning uses a third-party service, Success Academy, which provides sales, management, and dispatching training for people within the plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and roofing industries. 

CHANGING OVER TIME

Times are changing. People are able and apt to conduct their own research, so customers are now more educated than ever. As a result, it’s important that contractors are going above and beyond, so their technicians are on their A-games when they step into customers’ homes. While training may not have been so extensive in years past, it certainly is now.

“Products are changing and advancing so quickly it’s hard to stay on top of everything,” Bergstrom said. “Products are so quick to market, it seems like the field testing is being performed by us rather than manufacturers. Equipment’s getting more sophisticated, for sure. Our customers are more educated and expectant, too, so this creates a different set of soft skills training. The good thing about this, and what we always try not to forget, is that we, as contractors, are in this together. These changes are not just happening to me; they’re impacting all of us.”

While HVAC technical training has always been integral, incorporating other training topics has been a big change, as well.

“We have always offered skill training. For many years now, we have also offered ‘lifestyle’ classes on topics, such as improving personal financial management and developing healthier eating and exercise habits,” said Kahn.

To keep everyone on board, many contractors are now requiring all technicians attend ongoing training, no matter their level of expertise.

“Our policy used to be that if a technician wanted to go to training, they could go on their own time, and we would pay for the course,” Smith said. “We rarely did any in-house training or ongoing training. Now, we ensure people go regardless of skill to ensure all employees have as much knowledge as possible. Training pays dividends long term, so we want the best trained people in the industry.”

Some contractors have changed over time with their in-house training, developing new training classes unique to their companies.

“In 2012, we created a new training program that offers those with little to no experience an opportunity to learn the trade and build careers here at One Hour,” Kletz said. “We continue to utilize the expertise of our tenured management team and senior field technicians to help a number of eager applicants find their places in the industry.”

HVAC training will continue to evolve over time, but one thing is clear: If you want to retain employees, you’ve got to train employees.