Economic Pressures and A Family Loss

Running an HVAC business comes with its share of headaches, and none are more persistent than the rising costs of materials. Since 2018, a staggering 25% tariff on steel and aluminum has left many in our industry grappling with rising prices — a trend that doesn’t seem to be letting up anytime soon.

Here at AvaAir, we've recently had to navigate through changes due to new safety regulations, which have bumped up the costs of our refrigerant equipment by 20%. These costs are due to necessary safety improvements to handle the mild flammability of modern refrigerants. It’s a classic case of being caught between a rock and a hard place: improving product safety while managing spiraling expenses. And this refrigerant driven increase was coming even before tariffs were implemented.

Now, you may wonder why someone in HVAC is talking about economics. Well, not many know this, but I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in economics from Georgia State University. However, the economic business theories I studied do little to ease the burden of practical realities. The inflation numbers economists offer don’t reflect the steady rising price pressures on our industry. The costs we face have been escalating far beyond the general inflation rate.

For example, last year, despite significant increases in our operating costs, we made a conscious decision not to hike up our installation fees. We absorbed these costs to spare our customers from the impact. However, maintaining this stance is becoming increasingly challenging. I’m not one to sound the alarm unnecessarily, but it is tough to see a sustainable path forward without adjusting our pricing to some extent.

We’re trying to hold the line on prices, but with manufacturers hinting at more hikes in aluminum and steel costs, my head is spinning. *Sigh* When these costs climb, it affects everything from the equipment we install to the trucks we drive and even the insurance we carry. Every aspect of our business feels the pinch. Despite these challenges, we strive to maintain transparency with our customers, which is why I’m explaining this to you all!

Lucy Goosey has crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

And amid these business pressures, life got a bit more challenging on the personal side. A few months ago, our family lost Lucy, our Australian shepherd. She was my frisbee dog and an excellent protector of the house. She was also my daughter Ava’s best friend. Lucy was truly part of the family, and we did all we could to keep her healthy as long as possible. We took her to the vet regularly and followed up with all of their recommendations.

But, sometimes, you can’t prepare for the worst. Her absence has left a quieter house. Our bulldog hasn’t quite mastered Lucy’s alert system; now, packages sit at the door until we stumble upon them ourselves. Just this past January, she was out there making snowmen with Ava — she’d help push to create the snowball base and everything! Everyone loved Lucy. Her smart and lively spirit will always be missed in our family. She left pawprints in our hearts.

Lucy, wearing a colorful sweater, joyfully plays with a snowball in the wintry landscape, bringing energy and fun to the frosty day.