Learn About Women in HVAC for Women’s History Month
While the heating and cooling industry is still male-dominated, there have always been women innovating and helping to shape the industry into what it is today. This blog post will discuss women in the HVAC field today and a few women in history who revolutionized heating and cooling.
Women in Heating and Cooling Today
Like most trades, HVAC has a very small percentage of women as technicians in the field. In 2019, the number was less than 2%. However, more and more women are entering the HVAC industry in part thanks to organizations like Women in HVACR, which has a yearly conference and provides resources and mentorship opportunities for women looking to get into the trade. The organization has worked diligently for the past 20 years to assist women in getting the proper training and contacts to work in this male-dominated field. Demand for women in the industry is increasing because:
- It is outpacing many other industries in terms of job growth and opportunities.
- Studies have shown that a workplace that has diversity is more innovative.
- Studies show that having men and women work together produces a more satisfying workplace.
- The industry needs workers, and women are filling those spots.
Alice H. Parker and Her Gas Furnace
In 1919, an African American woman named Alice H. Parker submitted an application to the U.S. Patent Office for a heating system that was unique and innovative. Though the idea of a central heating system was already out there, it was typically a radiant heat system with a boiler fueled by wood or coal.
Because of the bitter New Jersey winters, she attempted to design a system that would not require going outside to chop wood like a fireplace did. She designed a furnace fueled by natural gas that distributed heat via air ducts. Though her design, as it was originally submitted, was never used, her innovation paved the way for natural gas furnaces with ductwork and changed how homes were heated.
Engineering Pioneer Margaret Ingels
Margaret Ingels was a pioneering engineer who made enormous contributions to the field of air conditioning. Around the same time Parker came up with the idea for her gas furnace, Margaret Ingels became the first female student to graduate from the University of Kentucky with a degree in mechanical engineering.
She worked for Carrier, a pillar in the air conditioning field, and her work helped revolutionize cooling systems for homes and businesses. Ingels was hugely influential in developing energy-efficient designs and helped advance modern air-conditioning technologies. Her research and discoveries opened the door for other women to pursue careers in engineering, inspiring generations of female engineers who followed in her footsteps. In recognition of her accomplishments, Ingels was posthumously inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2002.
About Hancock & Son Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning
Hancock & Son Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning is a local and family-owned business serving Salisbury, MD, and the surrounding communities. They provide honest pricing, open communication, and 24/7 emergency service. Call them today for AC or heating services in Salisbury, MD.
