Service Market

Cooling Off, Not Cooling Down: Study Shows HVAC Businesses Still Command Premium Prices

mariataylor@achrnews.com (Maria Taylor) — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 14:30:00 -0400

The market may be more disciplined than it was 5 years ago, but demand for HVAC companies hasn’t gone anywhere.

A/C, Heat Pump Shipment Data Show Continued Falloff

mattjachman@achrnews.com (Matt Jachman) — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0400

The a/c and heat pump shipment numbers reflect some of the headwinds industry leaders discussed during last month’s Morgan Stanley Laguna Conference: low consumer demand, high interest rates, tariffs on imported products and materials, and the continuing fallout from the refrigerant transition.

HVAC Tech Forced to Watch As All His Tools Are Stolen

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 05:00:00 -0400

An HVAC tech was stuck on a roof as a trio of brazen thieves made off with all his tools after kicking over his ladder during a daylight heist.

Introducing the ‘Greatest-Ever Investment in HVAC’

mattjachman@achrnews.com (Matt Jachman) — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 07:00:00 -0500

Chris Forth, vice president of codes, standards and environmental affairs at Johnson Controls Inc., told a group of AHR attendees the industry can increase equipment installations with the help of the tax incentives and consumer rebates in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

Fieldpiece Instruments Opens UK Office for Sales and Customer Service

Tue, 07 May 2019 10:00:00 -0400

Fieldpiece Instruments opened a U.K. office to add to its European operation and to provide sales and customer service in the United Kingdom.

Artificial Intelligence Could Revolutionize HVACR

Mon, 08 Apr 2019 07:30:00 -0400

AI-enabled HVAC systems can offer benefits for building owners and occupants. By monitoring and analyzing conditions inside a space, as well as outdoors, the system can constantly make adjustments to the environment based on the data being collected.

Identify All Problems Before Quoting a Refrigeration Job

Mon, 06 Aug 2018 07:31:00 -0400

Here is the potential problem: A contractor quotes a customer on the compressor replacement, and he agrees to repair the cooler at the quoted price. Then, as the technician is completing the job — or even after he has finished replacing the compressor — he finds out there is another system problem.

The Customer Experience is a Matter of Mindset and Process

Mon, 06 Aug 2018 07:27:00 -0400

When customers call your service company, it’s for one thing — your expertise. They don’t want a price, the problem fixed, the fast and cheap solution, etc. like many technicians think. They want good information and possibly a little guidance to make a good decision.

ExakTime Receives Patent for Wireless Field Time Clock

Mon, 31 Oct 2016 13:15:00 -0400

ExakTime’s wireless field time clock has been awarded a patent for its unique method of tracking, storing, and sending employee time records from the field to the office automatically via a cellular communication network.

ServiceBench Launches Service to Connect Companies to Parts Suppliers

Thu, 20 Oct 2016 10:30:00 -0400

ServiceBench has announced the launch of a new supply chain service that enables a direct web connection from its cloud-based service business management software platforms to suppliers of replacement HVAC, appliance, and other service and repair parts.

Acco Engineered Systems and All Area Plumbing Join Forces

Mon, 19 Sep 2016 10:30:00 -0400

Acco Engineered Systems announced that it will join forces with All Area Plumbing, a regional design-build plumbing contractor serving Southern California. Adding All Area Plumbing’s capabilities, Acco said it will strengthen its position as one of the largest mechanical contractors in the western United States.

Angie’s List Launches Sweepstakes for Service Provider Members

Fri, 09 Sep 2016 11:00:00 -0400

Angie’s List has announced the launch of its “Work with the Best” sweepstakes for current and newly registered service providers, providing the opportunity to win one of four monthly drawings for DeWalt tool kits and a grand prize of a 2017 work truck.

Tustin Opens Mechanical Services Office in Virginia

Wed, 17 Aug 2016 10:30:00 -0400

The Tustin Group (TTG), a provider of integrated building services, has announced the opening of a new Mechanical Services Division in Stone Ridge, Virginia. The goal for the Virginia office is to first capitalize on market opportunities and build a strong base of core mechanical service customers.

ARS Acquires Weather Crafters

Thu, 04 Aug 2016 09:30:00 -0400

American Residential Services (ARS), a privately-held national provider of air conditioning, heating, and plumbing services, announced that it has acquired the assets of Weather Crafters, Chester, Virginia. Located in the Richmond area, it will be rebranded as ARS of Richmond.

The Wrench Group Appoints Ken Haines as Chief Executive Officer

Thu, 07 Jul 2016 13:15:00 -0400

The Wrench Group announced that Ken Haines has been selected to lead the company and will assume the role of chief executive officer. Haines was formerly the president and CEO of Atlanta’s Coolray Companies, one of Wrench’s four regional brands. The company will be headquartered in Marietta, Georgia.

OSHA Confined Spaces Rule Has Limited Application in Residential HVAC

Wed, 06 Jul 2016 16:30:00 -0400

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) Confined Spaces in Construction final rule, issued May 4, 2015, created confusion in the HVAC industry. ACCA announced that, after months of negotiations with OSHA, an agreement clarifies that the rule has very limited application in the residential HVAC industry.

Dwyer Group Helps Veterans Build Their Franchise Business

Mon, 04 Jul 2016 07:00:00 -0400

The Dwyer Group has been active in helping military veterans as the originator of the VetFran program that offers veterans a discount on the purchase of a franchise. Now the franchisor of trade service brands announced it is awarding five veterans a $1,000 scholarship for franchise training or other franchise opening costs.

HomeServe Partners with Lincoln Tech to Create Job Shadowing Program

Mon, 27 Jun 2016 10:30:00 -0400

HomeServe USA, a provider of home repair service plans, announced a pilot program with Lincoln Technical Institute, Union, New Jersey, that will enable students to gain real-world experience in the HVAC field by allowing them to shadow HomeServe certified technicians.

Meacham Joins National HVAC, Plumbing, and Electrical Brands

Thu, 12 May 2016 11:30:00 -0400

Meacham Heating, Cooling & Energy Solutions announced it is joining forces with three national home services brands, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning®, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing®, and Mister Sparky®.

Service World Expo Announces ‘Legends of the Industry’ Presentation

Wed, 27 Apr 2016 10:00:00 -0400

The Service World Expo announced HVAC industry icons Ron Smith and Matt Michel will share the podium for a special “Legends of the Industry” presentation at the inaugural Service World Expo, to be held at the Tropicana Hotel, Oct. 26-27, 2016, in Las Vegas.

Renovate America, EGIA Partner to Accelerate Energy Efficiency Home Renovation

Mon, 04 Apr 2016 10:30:00 -0400

Renovate America, a leading provider of residential Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing, announced it has partnered with the Electric & Gas Industries Association (EGIA), a leading energy-efficiency home improvement contractor network.

Atlanta’s Coolray Announces National Alliance, The Wrench Group

Wed, 16 Mar 2016 13:15:00 -0400

Coolray, a leading Atlanta-based provider of heating, cooling, and plumbing services, has announced its partnership with The Wrench Group, an alliance of four top home services companies in the United States with the support of Investcorp, a leading provider and manager of alternative investment products.

Landis Mechanical Group Joins Linc Service Franchise Network

Mon, 14 Mar 2016 13:15:00 -0400

ABM Industries Inc. announced that Landis Mechanical Group Inc. has signed a franchise agreement to join its Linc Service franchise network. Landis Mechanical Group is a leading provider of mechanical contracting services in Leesport, Pennsylvania.

Comfort Systems Acquires ShoffnerKalthoff Family of Companies

Mon, 08 Feb 2016 10:30:00 -0500

Comfort Systems USA Inc., a leading provider of commercial, industrial, and institutional HVAC services, announced it has acquired the ShoffnerKalthoff family of companies, which includes ShoffnerKalthoff Mechanical Electrical Service Inc., Shoffner Mechanical Services Inc., and SKMES Inc., headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Marketing Magic: What Most Contractors Do that Drive Their Customers Crazy

Mon, 25 Jan 2016 05:21:00 -0500

Ever wonder why the most irritated people always call you? Actually, it could have less to do with you than it does with the kind of contracting business you operate. (Plus, there’s actually good news in the call, which we’ll cover in a moment.)

American Residential Services Acquires Greenstar Home Services

Fri, 15 Jan 2016 10:30:00 -0500

American Residential Services (ARS), a national provider of HVAC and plumbing services, announced it has acquired the assets of Greenstar Home Services. Greenstar has two locations operating out of Orange, California, and Las Vegas, which provide homeowners with HVAC and plumbing services, installation, and repair.

Elite Comfort Announces Name Change, New Repair Services

Wed, 13 Jan 2016 13:15:00 -0500

Elite Comfort AC & Heating announced it has changed its name to Elite Comfort Home and Commercial Services and increased the repair services it offers, covering a wider range of residential and business needs in the Houston area.

Air Masters Is Rebranding as Integrated Facility Services

Wed, 13 Jan 2016 10:30:00 -0500

Air Masters Corp. and its affiliated companies — Gateway Mechanical, Gateway Mechanical Fire Protection Inc., and Automation Solutions Group — have announced a rebranding as Integrated Facility Services Inc. (IFS), their corporate holding company name.

HVAC Market Growing Steadily at 7% CAGR to 2020 as Construction Booms

Mon, 21 Dec 2015 07:31:00 -0500

The global HVAC market is forecast to grow steadily at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7 percent from 2016 to 2020, according to a new report available from ReportsnReports. Rapid growth in the construction and real estate markets worldwide is having a positive impact on the HVAC market.

Direct Energy Unites Residential and Services Business Units

Mon, 07 Dec 2015 13:15:00 -0500

Direct Energy®, one of North America’s leading energy and energy-related services providers, has combined its residential and home services divisions to create a single division, called Direct Energy Home™. The new division will focus on serving customers’ entire home, including providing energy and services, and more.