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HOW TO FIND A PROFITABLE AND REWARDING HVAC NICHE

websitebuilder • Aug 05, 2021

HVAC encompasses a rather large field. If you are just entering that field, you should have a general knowledge of HVAC systems. However, if you want to stand out and forge your own path, you should consider finding an HVAC niche to occupy.

WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER AN HVAC NICHE

If you plan to go into the HVAC business on your own, you should find a way to stand out in the crowd. Finding a niche and marketing that service can go a long way towards differentiating you from other HVAC technicians.

Understand that having a niche doesn’t mean you can’t perform other more traditional HVAC duties. You can still work as a general residential or commercial HVAC tech while marketing your core niche services. This way, you can present yourself as an expert in a particular HVAC specialty.

HVAC Niche — Chicago, IL — HVAC Technical Institute

HOW YOU CAN FIND AN HVAC NICHE FOR YOUR BUSINESS

To figure out which HVAC niche might serve you best, look at the market demand in the area where you want to work. Doing some online searches and looking at some of the more common problems people have can help guide you. For example, if you’re in an area with a high demand for solar and solar-powered appliances, then you can throw your hat in the ring on something like solar-assisted AC.

Of course, a niche can represent practically anything. Just look for what people clamor for the most, and create your business around that need. Brush up on your training, seek whatever credentials you might need, and draw up a business plan for your niche service. Speak to other professionals whenever possible about the services they receive calls for but can’t ride out on.

Maybe it’s not just a demand for solar-powered HVAC appliances but a demand for servicing and repair of the equipment. There’s a possibility that other HVAC techs in the area don’t have the skills or know-how to adequately repair or service these types of appliances.

You can slide right into that underserved niche and become the expert in the area who does know what to do when a solar-assisted HVAC system starts acting up.

In some cases, just having that core group for a particular niche service can keep a business going indefinitely. You will build a core group of potential clients, and you can still work as a more general HVAC tech as you build that list. This is especially true if the service demands a premium cost.

WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER BOTH OLD AND NEW HVAC TECHNOLOGIES

A lot of new HVAC technology exists, but so does the old stuff, too. When seeking a niche, you may find yourself tempted to start up with something relatively new, such as the aforementioned solar-assisted HVAC solutions.

However, there’s a lot of older HVAC equipment types that can go underserved as well. For example, your area may contain a majority of homes that use furnaces, but what about those people who still use boilers?

In this case, gaining expertise in residential boilers can help you carve out a niche and a customer base along with it. Don’t limit yourself. HVAC consists of an almost never-ending number of niches, especially if you can think outside the box. You can find a niche that fits your interests and fills a specific need that other technicians can’t fill.

HOW YOU CAN EVALUATE IF YOUR NICHE IS THE RIGHT ONE

You aren’t the only HVAC tech out there looking for a niche or specialization. Consider multiple niches and make a list. Once you have a few niche services you think you might want to pursue, start looking at the potential competition in the area.

Some HVAC services go blatantly underserved. If you find a pattern indicating a dearth of service, you should consider filling that gap. You can also use a SWOT analysis to determine if your niche will work. SWOT stands for:

  • Strengths
  • Weaknesses
  • Opportunities
  • Threats

This is a strategic planning method that can help you figure out if your business idea will actually work in your desired market.

Finding a niche means finding a problem that needs solving. The niche you choose should align with your experience, goals, and passions. Mainly, you want to offer a service that you find that many people need. In some cases, you can even create a niche that doesn’t exist in your market to solve a market problem.

Keep in mind that your niche isn’t set in stone. You can branch out to other underserved areas of HVAC in your community or expand your niche into a larger business effort.

Regardless of the HVAC niche you want to pursue, your journey all starts with professional training and certification. To begin your HVAC journey, contact the HVAC Technical Institute to take the first step.

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