These Women Changed the Heating and Cooling Industry
Many people think of the HVAC industry as a "man/s world." Yet, according to the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), that's slowly changing. According to its most recent data, it noted that almost 10 percent of all HVAC professionals are women. This number is expected to increase over time steadily.
Although many people think that women becoming HVAC specialists is new information, women have played an integral role in the home improvement industry for years. They're one of Women's History Month's many "hidden figures"––women who worked behind the scenes and seldom were recognized for their achievements. But that's all about to change.
The HVAC Industry Today
Before meeting some of history's HVAC icons, here are some fast facts about the home improvement industry as a whole:
- Per Statista, there are more female HVAC specialists than female plumbers. Women plumbers make up less than three percent of the workforce.
- Per Wolfram Alpha, there are approximately 344,020 HVAC professionals. This number has been steadily increasing since 2010. The increase is about 1,900 new employees a year.
- The HVAC industry isn't just exclusive to homes' heating and air conditioning; it's also present in the commercial, manufacturing, and industrial fields.
Now, interested parties can read about women in the HVAC industry and meet some of history's female engineers.
Meet Alice H. Walker, an Air Conditioning Engineer (1895 to ??) 
Yet, here's what researchers are sure of:
- Walker was born in 1895 in New Jersey. As a child, she hated the cold winters.
- When she was just 15 years old, she graduated from Howard University Academy––an offshoot of the historically Black Howard University. She demonstrated proficiency in science, math, and engineering.
- In 1919, just four years after she graduated, she filed a patent for one of her gas-powered furnace prototypes. This device drew cold air, heated the air with gas, and then pushed the warm air through the vents.
- While Walker was not the first person to file a patent for an invention like this, it would serve as the basis for many subsequent inventions. Her invention was much safer than keeping fireplaces running all night, which frequently burned down homes and claimed lives.
In the 1920s, Walker disappeared from the history books. It's speculated that she passed away at an early age. However, despite her supposedly brief life, her inventions would transform the heating and cooling world as the world knew it. She forever has a place in history as one of many female inventors.
Meet Margaret Ingles, a Female Engineer (1892 to 1971) 
Margaret Ingles was born in 1892 in Paris, Kentucky. She first became fascinated with science when she saw condensation forming outside of a glass. Here are also some important things to know:
- She was the first woman to graduate with an engineering degree from the University of Kentucky.
- After graduating college, Ingles held many jobs, some in telecommunications, others in the HVAC industry.
- One of Ingles' strongest passions was creating "an effective temperature" for the home, which led to the creation of the sling psychrometer. This device measured how much humidity was in the air.
In the 1930s, Ingles became a spokesperson for women engineers, delivering more than 200 speeches between 1931 and 1952. She passed away in 1971 when she was 79.
About Air Now
Air Now loves sharing Women's History Month facts with its community. These professionals offer HVAC services to those living in Sarasota and the surrounding areas. Contact them today for reliable AC service, including repairs and maintenance.
