Tag: industry

How Have Women Shaped the HVAC Industry?

Female HVAC technician repairing an air conditioning unit, showcasing expertise for Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat, Inc.

Women in the HVAC Field 

During Women’s History Month, society takes a moment to reflect on the women who helped pave the way. Women have done their fair share in keeping homes comfortable and contributing to heating and cooling. This month, look back at the women who made it possible. This blog will discuss women in the HVAC industry today and some trailblazing women who revolutionized modern heating and cooling. 

Women in the Industry Today 

The HVAC industry is a male-dominated field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2018, women made up less than 2% of HVAC mechanics and installers despite more women increasingly taking on leadership positions in HVAC companies where they are responsible for key decisions related to product development, customer service, and overall management.

In addition to their work in the industry itself, women are also responsible for advancing HVAC technology. Recent studies have shown that female-led companies are more likely to invest in energy-efficient and innovative technologies, resulting in improved efficiency and cost savings for the industry. Women are also leading the way in advocating for environmental protection and sustainability initiatives within the sector. The impact of women in the industry is undeniable, and their contributions are helping to shape the sector's future. 

Alice H. Parker 

aliceAlice H. Parker was an African-American inventor and mechanical engineer who revolutionized home heating systems. Her most notable invention was a gas furnace with central ductwork, patented in 1919. This invention revolutionized home heating technology, allowing for more efficient, safer, and cost-effective heating systems. Before her invention of a gas furnace, homes were typically heated using wood-burning stoves or fireplaces. Although these methods provided warmth, they were not always reliable or safe.

Her patented furnace used natural gas and could be adjusted to heat different rooms with air ducts based on the household’s needs. Her invention has been credited with improving air quality in homes, reducing the risk of fire, and saving people money on their heating bills. Parker’s legacy is still seen today in modern gas furnaces with ductwork.

Margaret Ingels 

margaretMargaret Ingels was the first woman to hold a master’s degree in mechanical engineering in the nation. She graduated from the University of Kentucky and was a pioneer in the HVAC industry, specifically air conditioning. She worked at Carrier Corporation for the majority of her career. At the time, Carrier Corporation was at the forefront of air conditioning technology. 

Ingels' work revolutionized air conditioning, introducing a way to control temperature precisely, humidity, and air direction. She also developed the concept of zone control, which allowed different areas of a building or home to be controlled independently. Ingels' innovations helped pave the way for modern air conditioning systems, making indoor environments more comfortable and safe year-round. In recognition of her contributions, Ingels was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2006, and her legacy can still be seen in modern air conditioning systems.

About Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat, Inc.

Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat, Inc. has over 20 years of experience serving Daytona Beach, FL, and the surrounding communities. They provide transparent pricing options, financing, and a maintenance membership plan. Call them today for indoor air quality, AC, or heating services in Daytona Beach, FL.

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Key Women in the HVAC Industry

Amazing and Spectacular Women Who Changed the World of Heating and Cooling

The heating and cooling industry is mainly male-dominated, but this is significantly changing the more women find interest in engineering and the trades. HVAC is a tough job, but some women understand and are willing to work these jobs and contribute!

As early as 100 years ago, various women were making large strides and inventions that benefit homeowners today. Two wildly popular names are Margaret Ingels and Alice H. Parker. These women were not afraid to show off their intelligence and became female engineers with patents.

The Heating and Cooling Industry Today

Sadly, only about 43% of women in the world are employed. Out of this already small percentage, only a small percentage works in the trades, specifically HVAC. Out of all the people who work in HVAC, about 9% are female. This means that less than 1/10 of all HVAC technicians are women.

Although the percentages are small, it may surprise homeowners to know that the numbers are changing with each year and rising. Various organizations and associations encourage women to go into these fields and provide them with much-needed support! Comparing HVAC over one hundred years, more women are actively taking a role in the industry as engineers or technicians. 

Alice H. Parker and her Gas Furnace

aliceAlice H. Parker is a remarkable woman who rose above adversity and changed the HVAC industry forever. This woman inventor was not only a woman but also an African American woman who struggled to get support and equality.

When neither African Americans nor women were widely respected, she became a female inventor and created an invention everyone could use safely in their own home. The gas furnace was patented and almost immediately produced safely for homes. 

Her design offered a duct that let warm air escape outside instead of in the home. Instead of using extremely flammable objects like wood and coal, her design used gas. At this point, gas was less expensive than wood and coal, which made it easier to purchase for low-income families.

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Meet Margaret Ingels: Super Engineer

Another super engineer is Margaret Ingels, born in the late 1800s when women were first accepted into the workplace, but only as help during times of war. She excelled in science and inventions as a young girl and first became interested before her teen years.

Her curiosity for science and inventions did not stop as a kid, as she went on to study engineering at the University of Kentucky. Quickly, she was accepted to a lab where she worked on creating heating and cooling systems that were safe, energy-efficient, and produced good air quality.

Margaret Ingels is a name that many people do not know, which is sad as she is a spectacular woman inventor who created the machine to measure moisture in the air.

About Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat, Inc.

Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat, Inc. has been serving Daytona Beach, FL, since 2002. They provide homeowners with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, no diagnostic fees, and licensed, knowledgeable technicians. Call them today for heating or cooling services in South Daytona, FL.

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