September has arrived, and with it, the instant buzz of back-to-school preparations, end-of-season projects, and last-minute family vacations. But while the rest of the world slows down for one final summer breather, the plumbing and HVAC industry has anything but cooled off. August may have been a time for winding down, but for plumbing and HVAC professionals, now’s the time to gear up.
Before we launch into the new month, let’s take a look at what transpired over August. Our July Round-Up set the stage for new events, from Carrier’s new HVAC training center in Charlotte, NC to Rheem’s release of its annual Sustainability Progress Report. Now, we’ll check in with trade professionals nationwide to break down the latest industry news from the past couple of weeks.
1. JB Warranties Makes the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies List
Guess what, JB Warranties friends and family — we made the Inc. 5000 list for a fifth time! This past month, Inc. Magazine released its annual 5000 list highlighting the fastest-growing private companies in the United States. This list spotlights companies that have demonstrated strong revenue growth amid countless operational challenges, including rising capital costs and inflation.
JB Warranties was recognized again this year as a medium-sized company with an enduring impact and thriving revenue. We were also ranked on the Inc. Best Workplaces 2024 list, citing our rich company culture and continued leadership training as driving forces of our success. On behalf of all of us at JB Warranties, thank you to our fantastic employees and customers for your support!
2. Biden-Harris Administration Unveils National Heat Strategy
This past August, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the 2024-2030 National Heat Strategy, which aims to enhance the coordination of heat planning, response, and resilience across the U.S. An estimated 1,220 people are killed by extreme heat each year, making it the nation's leading weather-related killer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The 2024-2030 National Heat Strategy was developed by a 29 federal departments and agency teams consisting of the CDC, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the HHS Office of Climate Change and Health Equity (OCCHE), and many more. Together, the team has compiled a collection of goals and resources aimed at addressing rising heat concerns across the country.
One of the many strategy efforts includes updates to the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Cooling Season Toolkit. The ACF toolkit provides information on the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which offers energy assistance services including HVAC repair and replacement, A/C purchase assistance, and utility bill assistance to those in need.
3. Education Program Announced for CONNECT 2024
This month, the Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC) announced its education program line-up for the upcoming CONNECT 2024 conference. CONNECT 2024 will be held from October 7 to October 10 in Birmingham, Alabama, and will feature over 20 speakers and panelists who are well-versed in a wide range of industry-relevant topics.
Focusing heavily on plumbing and HVAC education, some CONNECT 2024 presentations to look forward to include but are not limited to:
- Efficiency Unleashed: Time Mastery Hacks & Strategies for Plumbing & HVAC Pros
- From Policy to Practice: How Regulatory Affairs and Lobbying are Shaping the PHC Industry
- From Good to Great: Enhancing Your Company's Value for a Profitable Exit
- Inflation Reduction Act: How Home Energy Efficiency Rebates Can Work for You and Your Customers
- What's Sinking Your Employee Well-Being?
Beyond the many keynote discussions, CONNECT 2024 will include a trade show featuring numerous product exhibits from big names such as AO Smith, Bradford White, and Viega. Be sure to also check out the various technology hubs at the conference, where attendees can listen in and watch industry-related podcast episodes.
4. ASHRAE Launches Comprehensive Data Center Resources Hub
In late August, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) launched a new Data Center Resources page aimed at helping HVAC professionals maintain proper humidity and temperature levels in data centers. Large data centers often require specialized HVAC upkeep due to the vast amount of heat-emitting computing equipment they hold.
ASHRAE President Dennis Knight recently mentioned, “With the rapid growth of digital infrastructure, the demand for cloud computing, AI, and big data continues to soar. Efficient cooling systems are essential to cutting operational costs and reducing environmental impact.” As technology evolves, HVAC professionals must learn to accommodate these shifting demands.
Through the new Data Center Resources Hub, HVAC experts can access a collection of technical materials, standards, publications, and courses focusing on data center HVAC work. All materials were developed by ASHRAE's very own experts, who dive deep into data center HVAC design and operation topics, including thermal management, power distribution, and energy efficiency.
5. Jobber Home Service Economic Report Signals Industry Growth for the Second Half of 2024
Jobber, a leading provider of home service software, released its Home Service Economic Report: 2024 Q2 this past month. The report compiles data from the Jobber platform involving more than 200,000 home service professionals ranging anywhere from HVAC technicians and plumbers to home cleaners and landscapers.
In the first half of 2024, Jobber found that consumer spending has shown hesitant growth amid reduced inflation concerns and discussions of interest rate cuts. While many consumers have held back on spending, the report found that service provider revenue has seen decent growth, with higher-than-average invoice totals and numbers expected to increase into the late year.
In the contracting sector, which includes HVAC and plumbing professionals, there were a bit of mixed results and flat overall growth. However, certain months in the first half of 2024 showed substantial increases in median revenue. Jobber also found that while new construction permits are declining, the aging housing stock should support long-term growth in the home service category into 2025.
Autumn Awaits: Gear Up for September Service Calls
From pre-fall HVAC maintenance checks to tackling post-summer plumbing woes, the month of September is all about staying ahead of the curve. Here at JB Warranties, we want to help contractors not only remain one step ahead, but do so more confidently. That’s why our extended warranty program offers more value, drives more revenue, and retains more customers.
As you transition your service business from summer to fall, contact JB Warranties with any questions related to our industry-leading warranty program or to schedule a meeting with a JB Warranties Representative.
Matt Cosby
Director of Marketing
