Residential HVAC Opportunities: Millions More Will Work from Home After Pandemic
Back in March, when the coronavirus pandemic forced our nation into a lockdown, tens of millions of workers began working from home. Though much of the economy-related news that’s emerged since then hasn’t been good, remote work might turn out to be beneficial for the residential HVAC industry.
Consider these facts:
- A recent poll found that 59% of adults currently working from home would prefer to continue do so as much as possible after the pandemic. Forty-four percent would be willing to take a pay cut in order to do so.
- Prior to the pandemic, about 4% of U.S. workers worked remotely at least half the time or more. By the end of 2021, that figure is expected to rise to 25-30% of the working population.
- Previously skeptical employers are discovering that remote workers can be just as productive working from home, or more so, as they are in the workplace. A recent study in Asia showed at-home workers to be 13% more productive than their on-site counterparts.
- Remote work saves money for both employers and employees. Global Workplace Analytics estimates that remote workers can save between $2,000 and $6,500 per year on things like gas and child care. Typical employers can save an average of $11,000 annually on employees who work from home at least half the time.
So, what might this shift mean for the residential HVAC industry? Simply put, more work.
With millions more people working permanently from home as part of our “new normal”, HVAC needs will be evolving. Working from kitchen tables, cramped corners, sofas, and beds is not ideal, and people will want to transition to more comfortable, conducive workspaces. This means converting spare bedrooms, basements, attics and garages to home offices, much of which will require HVAC system modification or upgrade, or perhaps installation of separate split systems.
Increased hours spent at home means HVAC systems that, pre-lockdown, were idle during the day are now in near-constant use, consuming far more energy, and poor system performance and comfort issues become more noticeable. And as temporary remote work increasingly becomes permanent, people will be motivated to fix or replace these faulty systems. Interest in ancillary IAQ items like air purifiers, electronic air cleaners, and humidification systems, as well as services like TAB (testing, adjusting and air balancing) is also on a marked rise.
The fact that more people are working from home, with evolving HVAC and indoor air quality needs, is real. Filling those needs is an avenue that HVAC contractors need to explore.
About E.P. Homiek
E.P. Homiek Sheet Metal Fabrication & HVAC Supply, with two convenient locations in Lakewood, NJ and Union, NJ, provides one- to two-day turnaround on all residential and light commercial ductwork, as well as one- to two-hour emergency fabrication service, rapid delivery, and competitive prices. HVAC parts, supplies, and equipment lines include Goodman, Honeywell, Bryant, Bradford White, Crown Boiler, Daikin, Weil-McLain, York Commercial, Sea Breeze, Generac, Fantech, ZM, A.O. Smith, Hart & Cooley, Malco, Mueller, and many more.
