There are no downsides to having an organized work van, so it’s useful for any HVAC business looking to boost productivity. From labeling storage bins to adding more light, there are several ways to improve the organization of a work van. Once implemented, you will notice an immediate improvement in the efficiency of your business.
This article will cover the top ten HVAC work van organization ideas and the importance of an organized work van.
Benefits of HVAC work van organization
Whether you are an individual HVAC contractor or operate a business with hundreds of employees, there are significant benefits to organizing a work van. Improving efficiency is typically the most important benefit for business owners, as they can increase the number of tasks completed each day.
Along with improved productivity, the vehicle is safer to drive when the equipment and tools have proper storage. After securing the tools in the van, the driver does not have to worry about tools suddenly falling and affecting their focus. Improper storage could also damage valuable HVAC components, which leads to unnecessary expenses.
Top 10 HVAC work van organization, storage, & shelving tips
With the advantages of HVAC work van organization in mind, it’s now time to understand how you can add it to your very own work vans. While there are dozens of ways to improve a van’s organization, we will be covering some tips that make the biggest impact on improving safety and productivity.
The top ten HVAC work van organization ideas are:
- Organize with shelving: One of the best ways to keep track of all of the various components in a work van is shelving. Adding shelves allows you to clear a pathway in the middle of the work van, allowing easy access for technicians.
- Attach storage space to doors: Adding storage options like magnetic strips to the inside of the doors will make for an excellent place to store commonly used tools. This storage idea allows an HVAC technician to grab tools quickly when needed.
- Add more light: Having a dark work van makes finding small components like screws a challenging task. Bright lighting helps reduce the frustration of losing key pieces and boosts productivity.
- Label storage bins: Reduce the time required to find things by adding bright labels to storage bins. When a technician needs a common piece, they can grab it out of the van within seconds.
- Maintain uniformity: When organizing HVAC work vans, you should organize all work vans in the fleet the same. No matter what van a technician drives, they can always count on finding the equipment in the same location.
- Emphasize location: Store the most common items closest to the work van doors and the least common items furthest back. This work van organization idea will improve the accessibility of the van.
- Group tools together: If a set of tools are used to complete a task, they should remain together in the work van. When technicians need the tools, they can grab them from a single storage compartment.
- Place heaviest items on the floor: The heaviest items should be on the floor and the lightest items on the top shelf when organizing shelving. This organizational method will reduce back strain for employees if required to lift the items.
- Add van roof racks: Utilizing ladders is an essential part of the HVAC trade, but they can take up a lot of room within a work van. Adding roof racks to the van will allow you to store and transport ladders of any size.
- Stress the importance of organizing: The benefits of organizing a work van won’t work if employees aren’t trying to maintain the van. Make the organization process simple for HVAC technicians, making it easier to stay organized.
Essential HVAC van inventory
When outfitting your HVAC work van, every vehicle should have a few essential items for efficiency. Before adding storage options like shelving, you should add ceiling and wall liners that protect the van’s interior. With sharp tools like a utility knife common in a technician’s toolbox, you need additional protection for the van’s interior.
Along with the ceiling and walls, you should also add padding to the van’s flooring to protect your employees. Padding will help protect technicians from slipping and add cushioning to their knees when kneeling. The padding will also retain the vehicle’s value, making its resale value higher.
Lastly, you should add vertical shelving to the interior of the work van. Shelving makes organizing a work van much easier and helps maximize the space. When adding shelving to the inside of a van, you should secure it to the van to avoid it from shifting or tipping over when driving.
How to use HVAC vans as marketing tools
If you own a fleet of HVAC work vans, they can be a powerful marketing tool that requires minimal effort. To use work vans for marketing purposes, you can attach your company’s name, logo, phone number, and HVAC contractor license to the van. While your technicians drive to different job sites, they will be catching the eyes of fellow drivers and helping you advertise.
To see the benefits of this marketing method, you should invest in a vehicle wrap that showcases your logo and slogan. The van’s appearance will show potential customers your professionalism and make them want to work with you. As potential customers in your area see your vans frequently, they will know who to call the next time they need HVAC services.
To conclude
Organizing your work van is an important step in increasing productivity and keeping technicians safe. By utilizing shelving and storage bins, you can keep track of items with ease. These are only a few ways you can organize a work van, with the possibilities being endless for your HVAC business.
Are you looking to organize other aspects of your HVAC business? Workiz is an all-in-one service management software that helps you organize parts of your business, like invoicing, scheduling, and communication. Contact us today to schedule a demo with one of our specialists.