Women Who Left a Mark in the HVAC Industry

An Unstoppable Legacy 

Sometimes being a woman and trying to work in an industry where the gender is predominately male can be intimidating. These female AC experts did not let any obstacles deter them. They were fierce, passionate about their work, and ready to take the industry by storm. Without their expertise, HVAC would not be the same today.

Alice H. Parker, the Heating Guru of Her Time

With February being black history month, there is no better lady to start with than Alice H. Parker. She was an African American who forever changed how we heat our homes by coming up with the natural gas ducted furnace. A concept that allows natural gas as the heat source as opposed to coal or wood. 

Parker came up with the idea because her fireplace could not keep up with the brutal New Jersey weather. Her patent, which she obtained in 1919, was the first of its kind by implementing air distribution throughout the house via air ducts. Very little is known about Alice H. Parker, but one fact we know is her invention shaped how we heat our homes today.

Margaret Ingels, an Advocate in the HVAC Trade

Margaret Ingels made history by being the first-ever woman to receive her bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Kentucky. After receiving her bachelor’s degree, she designed a portable machine that public buildings and schools utilize; these machines would detect the number of dust particles in the air—one of the first-ever air filtration systems.

She invented this equipment while working at the American Society of Heating and Ventilating Engineers, where she worked for six years. Margaret Ingels then went to work for the Carrier-Lyle Corporation, where she helped create air measurement tools. These tools are still being used in the trade today.

With all of her impressive accomplishments, the University of Kentucky named one of their dormitories after her, calling it Ingels Hall. Margaret also saw a need to become a public speaker to show women they can work in any field; with hard work and determination, anything is possible.

Women in the Industry Today

With intelligent and talented women like Alice H. Parker and Margaret Ingels paving the way for women in this trade, it is hard to follow in those footsteps, but not impossible. In this day and age, women do not have the obstacles Alice and Margaret did. More women are looking for a career in the HVAC industry, and some have even become CEOs. Per statistics in a report conducted by Women of HVAC, 9% of HVAC technicians are women, and the numbers are estimated to grow in the next decade. 

So what does that mean? That means women are looking to work in this ever-changing and rewarding trade; now is the time to make that change!

About Sunset Heating & Cooling

Sunset Heating & Cooling has been serving the Portland, OR area for almost a century, and they continue to grow. Not only can customers rely on their prompt and accurate service but also their dedication to their customers. Their current and long-time customers are delighted with the services they receive from Sunset Heating & Cooling, and it shows. Contact them for HVAC service today!

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