As is the case in many other trade professions, men tend to make up the majority of laborers in the HVACR industry. In fact, the percentage of women in HVAC is only 9 percent, a number that highlights a common yet discouraging disparity in gender equality in the workforce.
While it has historically been challenging for women in HVAC to begin their career, there is still a rich history of women in this profession, along with resources and networks dedicated to newcomers in the field.
Let’s take a look at the history – and future – of women in HVAC.
Notable Women in HVACR
Though it may not be well-known, there are several women who have made major contributions to this industry and should be highlighted accordingly. Here are a few examples:
Alice H. Parker
Alice H. Parker was an African American inventor famous for her patented system of central heating using natural gas, paving the way for the central heating systems we all have in our homes today. Filed on December 23, 1919, her patented design allowed cool air to be drawn into the furnace, then passed through a heat exchanger to be warmed up and then delivered through ducts to rooms of a house.
Margaret Ingels
Margaret Ingels the first female engineering graduate from the University of Kentucky, getting her bachelors in Mechanical Engineering in 1916. She was the second woman engineering graduate in the United States and the first woman to receive a professional degree of Mechanical Engineer in 1920.
She joined the American Society of Heating and Ventilating Engineers (the predecessor to ASHRAE) research lab in 1921 where she studied air conditioning for six years. Ingels also helped develop the Anderson-Armspach dust determinator, which became the industry standard for air filtration, and the sling psychrometer, a relative air humidity measurement tool still used today.
Lynn G. Bellenger
The first woman president of ASHRAE, Bellenger served in that position from 2010 to 2011. She was a recognized expert in energy management, receiving ASHRAE’s Distinguished Service Award in 1996.
Angie Simon
Simon became the first female President of the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) in 2019. Prior to becoming President, she was the first woman who had ever served on the SMACNA board and the first woman president for SMACNA’s Bay Area Chapter.
Women in HVACR: Resources
There are several organizations dedicated to helping women in HVAC start and grow their careers, along with annual events where these women can network, learn and grow together. Here are a few to keep in mind:
Women in HVACR
Women in HVACR is a non-profit organization that exists to empower women in HVACR, providing professional avenues to connect with other women growing their careers in the industry. They provide networking opportunities, mentoring and education.
Bryant Women in HVAC
Bryant Women in HVAC events are for professional development, training and heating and cooling best practice sharing, as well as networking and fellowship.
HARDI Conference
Women in HVACR will be attending the annual HARDI conference this December in Houston, providing organization updates and a roundtable discussion. Learn more here.
Women in HVACR Conference
The Women in HVACR conference is an annual event that offers opportunities to grow your network and gain knowledge about the industry. While this year’s Women in HVACR conference happened earlier this month, be sure to take a look and get ready for 2023.
AHR Expo
Manufacturers and suppliers from around the world attend the annual AHR Expo to unveil the latest additions to their product line-ups, demonstrate what is new and innovative about the technologies, provide product details, and answer questions. Women in HVACR will be exhibiting at Booth #B1023.
For additional resources and inspiration, you can learn more about other great associations for women in trades here.
Women in HVACR: Education & Training
Education is key, so if you’re a woman looking to begin your career in the HVACR industry, here are some educational resources to check out:
Education 2 Go
Women in HVACR’s partnership with Education 2 Go gives discounts on hundreds of online HVAC classes for women interested in accounting, marketing, business, and an assortment of areas specific to HVACR careers.
Scholarships
Women in HVACR awards six annual scholarships for women attending either a Technical College or Trade School or pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree Program at a Four-Year College. Learn more and apply here.
Additional scholarship opportunities are available. Learn more today.
Local Trade Schools
Be sure to check out the local trade and vocational schools in your area. These programs can provide a cost-effective way to test the waters of a trade and see what’s the best fit for your career.
Despite the challenges of starting your career in the HVACR industry, growing awareness about gender inequality in the workforce and a serious labor shortage in the trades makes for better days to come for women in HVAC.
For all the women in HVAC out there, continue to grow your network, challenge the status quo and forge your own path. The industry – and the workforce in general – will be better for it.
