AI technology is well on its way to transforming the HVAC industry. New use cases, innovations, and integrations are becoming more common daily. And while adapting to emerging technology like AI can be intimidating, it can also open up new opportunities for HVAC businesses to grow their customer base and improve their bottom line. 

If you’re an HVAC leader or business owner wondering how other teams are already starting to take advantage of AI, this article is a great place to start building your understanding. 

Here’s a high-level look at some ways AI is starting to transform HVAC businesses. 

AI as a mentor for junior HVAC techs

While AI tools can’t replace HVAC technicians, they can support them in the field with on-demand technical info, advice, and suggestions. This can be especially helpful for training and supporting less experienced HVAC pros. 

Unlike a traditional human mentor, who can only support so many junior technicians at a time, AI tools like SAM or MasterMechanic can act as supplemental journeymen to assist numerous technicians—even those in different locations simultaneously.

Using AI for fault detection and diagnosis

AI technology is increasingly showing significant advances in fault detection and diagnosis in HVAC systems. Some research has demonstrated that AI-based methods are more accurate than traditional models, potentially reducing the need (and cost) for expert human analysis. 

These kinds of use cases are still in their infancy, and AI models for assessing FDD still have a long way to go, but the early results are promising. One of the key challenges is applying this technology in dynamic environments with conditions that frequently change over time. 

AI-assisted field service management 

It shouldn’t be surprising that AI is already helping busy HVAC companies streamline their field service management. By automating the scheduling and dispatch of technicians and introducing predictive maintenance capabilities, AI technology can help smaller HVAC businesses better utilize their time, people, and equipment. 

This can also go far beyond increasing operational efficiency. AI technology can be used for more advanced things, like analyzing customer data and feedback, to help HVAC companies identify gaps and opportunities in their services. 

Lowering energy usage with AI 

AI is also starting to evolve in how smart HVAC systems optimize energy usage, creating more efficient systems that are not only better for the environment but also cheaper. 

For example, AI systems like KOVA Comfort could lower energy usage by as much as 30%. It does this by actively monitoring inside and outside temperatures, occupancy by room, and even the intensity of interior lighting. 

Leaning into AI innovations in HVAC 

AI in the HVAC industry is changing how businesses operate. It can make scheduling technicians easier, find system problems faster, and more autonomously reduce energy bills.

This is excellent news for HVAC businesses of all sizes, but it should be incredibly enticing to smaller teams with fewer resources. By exploring ways to use AI, these companies can open up opportunities to lower their operational costs and grow new business.