Working in the role of an HVAC designer is far from easy. What are the primary challenges in this demanding profession? We posed this question to participants in SMAY’s ventilation training. How did they respond? Here, we present the top 5 significant challenges facing HVAC designers in 2024.

HVAC Designer – A Role Laden with Expectations

Recognizing the demanding nature of the construction industry, our perspective as a ventilation solutions manufacturer differs significantly from that of sanitary installation designers. Besides technical skills and engineering knowledge, there are equally vital elements in an HVAC designer’s work, including well-developed soft skills. What precisely are the current major challenges in the HVAC designer profession? We sought answers from participants in ventilation training conducted by SMAY experts, revealing the distinct challenges faced by engineers designing sanitary installations.

The Key Challenges in the HVAC Designer Profession

HVAC designers were queried about the main challenges in their daily work. From their responses, we compiled a list of the five most significant challenges in the profession of a sanitary installation designer. What hurdles do HVAC design professionals encounter in their day-to-day tasks?

1. Meeting Investor and Architect Expectations

56% of HVAC designers identified meeting the expectations of investors and architects as their foremost challenge. Unfortunately, requirements imposed on designers often prioritize cost over quality in designing and implementing sanitary installations for specific investments.

2. Persuading Construction Process Participants to Accept Project Solutions

Aligning client expectations with proposed solutions in sanitary installation projects is another noteworthy aspect, highlighted by 43% of respondents. Convincing construction process participants to accept project solutions emerged as a significant challenge in this profession.

3. Project Implementation within Specified Timelines

Over 1/3 of respondents pointed to difficulties in adhering to project deadlines, with 33% expressing a desire for more time to complete projects. Aside from designing suitable installations and addressing HVAC-related aspects, designers often grapple with time-consuming challenges mentioned earlier.

4. Enhancing the HVAC Designer Profession’s Standing in the Construction Industry

32% of HVAC designers identified strengthening the profession’s position in the construction industry as the key challenge in 2024. The design of sanitary installations is sometimes undervalued in the broader construction industry, with investor focus often leaning towards cost rather than quality.

5. Negotiating Project Remuneration

Expectations, belief, time, position, and money – negotiating remuneration for projects closes the top 5 list of significant challenges for HVAC designers. A notable 23% of respondents indicated that negotiating fees for a given project presents a considerable challenge.

Navigating Challenges in the Air

Considering the challenges outlined above, it’s evident that one problem often leads to another, creating a network of interconnected aspects in the designer’s work. In this profession, designing sanitary installations is just one facet. Alongside technical expertise and regulatory knowledge, HVAC designers frequently need to enhance their negotiation skills and articulate solutions effectively. This is crucial as good projects require defense, and implemented ideas must be presented meticulously to investors or architects.