Preparing your HVAC Business for New MRO Tech Trends

Author: Brett Knox
September 25, 2024 - 4 MIN. READ

The world of HVAC service and maintenance is moving fast. Let's look closer at how the latest tech trends are shaping the HVAC industry and how contractors who embrace these trends can gain a competitive advantage.

Smart Sensors and IoT

After the warmest summer on record, researchers expect 2024 to be the warmest year on record. This trend is straining AC units and making prompt repairs crucial for office buildings, multifamily properties, and other public or commercial facilities. A data-driven inventory management solution that makes you more responsive will quickly become a strong differentiator for your customers.

Thanks to the rise of connected HVAC equipment and smart sensors, HVAC systems can communicate with your data platform, signaling when maintenance or repairs are likely needed. Based on this data, you can ensure you have the right parts in stock and place orders if needed.

These advanced sensors allow you to track the performance of HVAC units installed in various office buildings, multifamily properties, schools, and other facilities 24x7.

This use case puts data at the core of your service offering and transforms you into the ideal partner for customers interested in building automation and predictive maintenance. With the building automation market predicted to gain over $18 billion in value before 2028, positioning yourself as a building automation partner will create exciting opportunities.

Thanks to these sensors, you can remotely track HVAC performance and implement the following use cases:

• Your system can track seasonal usage and other changes. This data can help you make better HVAC recommendations for your customers, such as heat pumps.
• You might notice drops in efficiency, suggesting that service or maintenance is needed. To save time, you can contact customers or schedule a maintenance call automatically.
• A pattern of small repairs often indicates that a larger repair is needed. As part of a predictive maintenance strategy, you can contact these customers and recommend a thorough assessment of their HVAC system.
• Tracking HVAC performance can help customers who invested in a new HVAC system or a building retrofit project measure their ROI.

These technologies align with the goals of property owners and managers looking for ways to automate maintenance and improve visibility into building performance.

They want precise data to track costs, and offering remote monitoring for HVAC systems aligns with this goal. Sharing the HVAC performance data you collect can be a plus for customers interested in building analytics.

Automating the Work Order Process

Technology is evolving to automate the end-to-end work order process.

For instance:

• HVAC performance data from a customer can trigger an automated work order. You can integrate this information into your scheduling or route planning software for an optimized workflow.
• Custom mobile apps are more affordable and accessible than ever. You can use these tools to share updates with your customers regarding their HVAC performance data or send them work order notifications.
• Mobile apps are also an excellent option for keeping your workforce connected. Employees can receive their next automated work order through the app or use it to check inventory levels or locate a part in real time.

This end-to-end approach to work order automation leads to better experiences for your customers, who can rely on you to be proactive about maintenance and repairs.

For your business, it's an opportunity to generate recurring revenues with maintenance plans that outperform what other contractors offer. This improved operational efficiency will improve your business's bottom line, especially in light of supply chain challenges.

Improve Your Maintenance Profit Margins with Raiven

Incorporating data-driven technologies into your maintenance and repair process will give you a significant advantage but so will paying less for all your HVAC equipment, maintenance materials, parts, and supplies so you can improve your profit margins.

Unlock unparalleled savings and streamline your purchasing process with Raiven. We consolidate contractor purchasing power to negotiate exclusive discounts, favorable service terms, and priority access to HVAC equipment, parts, materials, tools, and more.

Gain access to pre-negotiated discounts of 7%-30% from industry-leading manufacturers and distributors, including Alpscontrols, American Air Filter, Carrier, Ferguson, Grainger, Graybar, HD Supply, Home Depot, Koch Filter, Lowe’s, Office Depot, Staples, Sunbelt Rentals, United Rentals, Schneider Electric, and more!

Say goodbye to the hassle of negotiating with multiple suppliers and enjoy significant cost savings on sensors, air filters, belts, HVAC and building automation equipment, parts, materials, and more.

Visit Raiven to learn how we can help you provide more value to your customers.