Business Management

HVAC Workforce Crisis Expands Beyond Technicians to Instructor Shortages

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

A lack of qualified instructors is hindering the HVACR industry’s ability to fill the 40,000 job openings projected annually over the next decade.

Missed Calls, Lost Jobs: Why HVAC Companies Are Adopting Voice AI Agents

Sun, 07 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Here’s how to get started with Voice AI, helping your business capture work that could otherwise go to competitors

Beyond the Wrench: Building Enterprise Value in Home Services

mailto:chris@reputationigniter.com (Chris Lollini) — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 15:45:00 -0400

In this episode of Beyond the Wrench, Branden Dickey of Conejo Services shares how the company moved from instinct-driven operations to a more disciplined, structured business model.

Contractors Have Four Years to Prepare for Next Recession

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

An economist forecasts economic growth for the next four years but warns contractors will face sustained inflation-driven cost pressures before a projected downturn in 2030.

Retirement Plans Are Today’s Top HVAC Recruitment and Retention Tool

sloned@achrnews.com (Dana Slone) — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 14:00:00 -0400

A strong benefits plan creates peace of mind and is an important aspect of employee well-being, allowing workers to focus on their careers and the business at hand.

The Exit Landscape: Why Timing is Everything

Sun, 31 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Selling a business is complex. It’s not just a transaction — it’s a life transition.

10 Takeaways from Housecall Pro’s Latest Survey

Fri, 29 May 2026 11:00:00 -0400

With homeowners delaying big-ticket projects but still spending on urgent repairs, HVAC contractors that respond quickly and offer clear options may be best positioned to win.

California Revisits HVACR Sales Reporting

Wed, 27 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

California regulators are exploring HVACR equipment sales tracking to boost permit compliance, but industry groups warn the proposal could create costly, burdensome reporting requirements.

How is AI Generative Search Impacting HVAC Companies in 2026?

Sat, 23 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

The rise of AI search does not mean HVAC websites are going away, but it does mean contractors need content that is easier for search engines and consumers to understand.

Love Your Numbers

Sun, 17 May 2026 07:00:18 -0400

Your numbers reveal problems long before they show up in your bank account, and they give you the confidence to make tough business decisions with clarity.

Protect Your Business From Fake Reviews

bellolih@bnpmedia.com (Hannah Belloli-Oster) — Mon, 11 May 2026 17:00:00 -0400

A new scam is hitting HVAC contractors where it hurts most — their online reputation.

How HVAC Contractors Can Solve Labor Woes in the Age of AI

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Mon, 11 May 2026 11:00:00 -0400

HVAC may be safe from AI, but the industry’s labor challenges persist. A report from Randstad offers solutions to overcome the skilled labor gap.

Fraud in HVAC: Why Companies Are at Risk and How to Prevent It

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Mon, 11 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Construction firms, and by extension, HVAC companies, lose a median of $250,000 per fraud case, and contractors are not immune to the growing risk.

How HVAC Contractors Can Reduce Fleet Downtime and Keep Technicians Productive

Sun, 10 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Fleet downtime can cost HVAC contractors more than missed appointments — it can disrupt schedules, delay service, and cut into peak-season revenue.

The Gap Between 4.0× and 10.93× Is Not a Size Story

Fri, 08 May 2026 13:00:00 -0400

Higher revenue doesn’t guarantee a higher value. HVAC buyers are prioritizing margin quality, service mix, and risk over sheer size.

Debunking Residential HVAC Myths

bellolih@bnpmedia.com (Hannah Belloli-Oster) — Wed, 06 May 2026 14:00:00 -0400

Some of the most common homeowner assumptions are actually costing comfort, and sometimes money.

Is HVAC’s Middle Class Disappearing?

bellolih@bnpmedia.com (Hannah Belloli-Oster) — Fri, 01 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Contractors in the $3–10 million range are facing increasing pressure from consolidation, rising costs, and operational complexity. While smaller companies stay lean and larger firms scale with resources, the middle is being forced to adapt. The question isn’t just whether it’s shrinking — but whether contractors can successfully navigate the transition.

Energy Prices, Inflation, and HVAC: What Today’s Homeowners Care About

Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Rising energy costs and inflation are reshaping HVAC decisions. Learn how homeowners evaluate monthly costs, efficiency, and financing—and how contractors can align sales conversations accordingly.

Beyond the Wrench: Cody Dampf on Marketing, Operations, and the Basics

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 17:00:00 -0400

On this debut episode of Beyond the Wrench, Chris Lollini speaks with Cody Damp, owner and president of American Home Pros, a Tulsa-based HVAC and plumbing company with 17 trucks on the road. Damp breaks down the company’s approach to marketing, including a major push to dedicate 40% of marketing spend to brand recognition.

Fake HVAC Sites Flood Orlando Search Results

bellolih@bnpmedia.com (Hannah Belloli-Oster) — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 13:00:00 -0400

In Orlando, dozens of AI-generated websites posing as HVAC companies are flooding search results.

What Bitcoin Taught Me About Financial Control

scott@indoortemp.com (Scott Merritt) — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Over time, I stopped seeing Bitcoin as “tech” and started seeing it as financial plumbing — a resilient layer beneath the banking system.

Managing Supplier Compliance During the Low-GWP Refrigerant Transition

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0400

The shift to low-GWP refrigerants is raising the stakes on vendor oversight, making compliance documentation more important than ever for HVACR contractors.

The NEWSMakers Podcast: Picking A Partner Before an Acquisition with guest Trey McWilliams

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 17:00:00 -0400

Growth without losing your identity: Trey McWilliams on expansion, partnerships, and culture-first scaling.

The NEWSMakers Podcast: Ferris State Professors Talk Workforce Development, Recruiting and Retention in HVAC

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 17:00:00 -0400

In this episode of The Newsmakers Podcast, two Ferris State educators break down why students are not avoiding work, but often are not being shown the full scope of HVAC careers.

The NEWSMakers Podcast: New Data Shows Repair Becoming a Bigger Driver for HVAC Contractors

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 16:00:00 -0400

Drawing on Housecall Pro data from 2021 to 2025, Roland Ligtenberg explains why repair is gaining ground as replacement costs rise and workflows become more efficient.

Employer-Directed Skills Act Could Reimburse HVAC Training Costs

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:00:00 -0400

The Employer-Directed Skills Act has been reintroduced to both chambers of Congress, offering a way to make training new hires easier and more affordable.

Why High HVAC Equipment Prices Aren’t Going Anywhere

bellolih@bnpmedia.com (Hannah Belloli-Oster) — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 17:00:00 -0400

HVAC equipment prices aren’t just rising — they may be here to stay. Contractors are feeling it in every quote, but the bigger story is what’s driving those costs — and why they’re unlikely to come down.

Yelp’s Latest Updates Push HVAC Contractors to Book Jobs on Its Platform

mariataylor@achrnews.com (Maria Taylor) — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Survey: 3 in 4 people still want to see ratings and reviews from real customers when using AI search tools to find local businesses.

Review Scammers Target HVAC Companies with Extortion

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Online reviews can make or break an HVAC company, and scammers know it. Learn about their latest tactics and how to counter them.

Myths vs. Facts: Residential HVAC Edition

mattjachman@achrnews.com (Matt Jachman) — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Homeowners are sometimes misled by common myths about heating and cooling equipment, but contractors have techniques for battling misinformation.