As the HVAC industry faces a growing technician shortage, AI and IoT technologies are proving to be powerful tools in bridging that gap.
By transforming how technicians approach equipment service — providing real-time diagnostics, predictive insights, and streamlined workflows — these technologies enable techs to work more efficiently and effectively. Rather than replacing skilled HVACR professionals, AI and IoT technologies allow technicians to concentrate on the work they were trained for, instead of wasting billable hours on mundane tasks like typing work summaries on a phone or searching lengthy equipment model numbers online.
“Techs go where the opportunity is — and with our AI tools being purposely developed to enable quicker service times and more effective jobsite visits, technicians now have the resources to stay engaged in their workflow and find success,” said Lee Bridges, vice president of product management at XOi Technologies. “Having instant access to this jobsite data in the field, along with workflows enhanced by AI, not only satisfies their customer; it promotes a style of work that hearkens back to the soul of what being a field technician is: a skilled tradesperson, not an administrator.”
Instead of overloading technicians with urgent, last-minute repairs, AI and IoT solutions such as can provide real-time system insights that allow businesses to assess HVAC performance remotely and identify potential issues before they become urgent.
Remote Troubleshooting
Dave Quam, connected solutions leader at Resideo, identified three key ways that AI and IoT help techs solve issues quicker: remote troubleshooting, data-driven maintenance, and smart alerts for multi-unit properties.
AI provides technicians with immediate access to extensive knowledge bases — including error codes, manuals, and diagnostic protocols — leveling the playing field between seasoned professionals and newcomers, regardless of their level of hands-on experience.
“IoT sensors transform service delivery by alerting technicians to potential failures before systems completely break down, enabling remote diagnosis and often resolution without an on-site visit,” said Roland Ligtenberg, co-founder of Housecall Pro.
For example, if a furnace is short cycling, or if there is some sort of system freeze, remote diagnostics can analyze sensor data so techs can pinpoint the problem remotely — whether the issue is a clogged filter, a faulty flame sensor, a pressure switch problem, etc. Allowing technicians to avoid the delays and inefficiencies of discovering the issue during an on-site service call.
“This shift from reactive emergency repairs to proactive maintenance not only maximizes each technician’s productivity but fundamentally changes how we deploy our limited technical workforce across more customer touchpoints,” said Ligtenberg.
Data-Driven Maintenance
When discussing data-driven maintenance, Quam said that predictive maintenance tools also highlight early warning signs of equipment failure, enabling proactive service that prevents larger breakdowns.
“A smart thermostat, for instance, has the intelligence to detect if an HVAC unit is running longer than usual to maintain temperature, signaling a possible refrigerant leak or compressor inefficiency,” said Quam. “By addressing the issue early, technicians can help prevent costly failures and extend equipment lifespan.”
For multi-unit properties in both commercial and multifamily applications, Quam said AI-driven monitoring can track system health across multiple units simultaneously and alert building operators when specific units show declining efficiency.
“AI-powered diagnostic tools can analyze system performance data, cross-reference with thousands of similar cases, and pinpoint the most likely failure points in seconds. … IoT sensors tracking refrigerant pressure, temperature differentials, and electrical consumption patterns can immediately alert techs to the specific component causing inefficiency,” said Ligtenberg.
Perhaps more importantly, AI also simplifies complex technical manuals into clear, actionable repair steps, removing the frustration of interpreting difficult manufacturer documentation and thus, enabling even less-experienced technicians to handle even complex repairs with confidence.
“This digital guidance acts like having a master tech looking over your shoulder at every job, turning what used to be knowledge gaps into streamlined workflows,” said Ligtenberg.
Not only can AI simplify technical documentation for technicians, it also excels at making sense of large amounts of data and breaking it down into useful information.
Bridges also highlighted the value of analyzing multiple data points for greater precision. The AI technology XOi has developed can identify trends based on location, model family, manufacturer, age of equipment, etc.
“The data collected can be refined based on variables such as the type of refrigerant used or the placement of a unit to more accurately predict potential system failures. For technicians, AI certainly accelerates the diagnostic phase — which can account for a considerable amount of time on the jobsite, especially at locations with limited reception. … By leveraging AI to highlight the most important parts of a piece of equipment’s service history, the model’s common issues, and other crucial jobsite data, technicians spend less time searching and more time fixing,” said Bridges.
Smart Predictive Maintenance
One of the most promising ways AI and IoT are easing the burden on HVAC technicians is through predictive maintenance and smart alerts. By analyzing real-time data and recognizing patterns before problems arise, AI and IoT technologies are helping technicians prevent system failures before they happen.
“Proactiveness can take various forms, from recognizing early warning signs and scheduling service visits to remote diagnostics that allow technicians to assess issues before arriving on-site,” said Quam. “With predictive analytics, contractors can dispatch the right technician with the right parts in advance, streamlining service operations and minimizing downtime. This not only strengthens customer relationships but also positions HVAC businesses as tech-savvy service providers capable of anticipating and preventing failures.”
For multi-unit properties in both commercial and multifamily applications, Quam said AI-driven monitoring can track system health across multiple units simultaneously and alert building operators when specific units show declining efficiency.
Quam said that the benefits go beyond individual system monitoring. Predictive maintenance is also laying the foundation for the HVAC industry’s broader adoption of smart home services.
“As HVAC professionals embrace connected solutions, they can offer more seamless and data-driven customer experiences while driving operational efficiency,” Quam said.
The key to making this possible is advanced pattern recognition — enabled by both AI and IoT.
“Advanced IoT sensors can detect subtle pattern changes in vibration, sound, and electrical consumption that typically precede component failure weeks before catastrophic breakdowns occur,” said Ligtenberg. “AI algorithms continuously learn from total installed base performance data across hundreds of thousands of units industry-wide, becoming increasingly precise at distinguishing between normal operational variations and genuine warning signs.”
Ligtenberg said what makes this approach really powerful is when AI connects sensor data with comprehensive service history from a field service management platform, integrating things like installation dates, maintenance logs, and parts replacements — in order to develop increasingly accurate predictions about specific systems.
“AI-powered diagnostic tools can analyze system performance data, cross-reference with thousands of similar cases, and pinpoint the most likely failure points in seconds. IoT sensors tracking refrigerant pressure, temperature differentials, and electrical consumption patterns can immediately alert techs to the specific component causing inefficiency,” said Ligtenberg