June 30 2025 Issue

This issue of The ACHR NEWS explores everything contractors need to know about the R-454B shortage, how high electricity prices could undermine heat pump goals, bright spots in the HVAC industry, adding portable HVAC solutions in peak season, nine musts for heat pump installation, Trumps’s EO on apprenticeships, how many quotes a homeowner will get, the new face of tech retention, sustainability vs. sticker shock, why accessories are still struggling online, caring for microchannel condensers, how maintenance agreements can jumpstart summer sales, and a look at new products.

Check back throughout the week for additional content.

Everything HVAC Contractors Need To Know About the R-454 Shortage

What’s causing the refrigerant shortage, and when will it end?

Hannah Belloli-Oster

June 24, 2025

The HVACR industry is in the thick of a major refrigerant transition — and R-454B is suddenly in short supply. Why is one new refrigerant hard to find while another isn’t? What can contractors do when demand is surging, supply is tight, and customers are sweltering? Here, experts break down the manufacturing missteps, shifting pressures, and real-world solutions.

California Heat Pump Study Shows Some Surprising Results

Researchers explored ways to speed up the development of affordable, efficient heat pumps

Joanna R. Turpin

June 23, 2025

A new study explores short- and medium-term strategies to help speed the adoption of affordable and efficient heat pumps in California.

Hang In There, HVAC

3 bright spots you might have missed

Maria Taylor

June 16, 2025

It’s been a rough 6 months, but demand for HVAC isn’t going anywhere.

Stay Cool, Stay Booked: The Portable HVAC Solution for Peak Season

How to add an additional HVAC service without adding techs, trucks, or overhead.

Dylan Kurt

June 23, 2025

When the heat is on, but the equipment just isn’t there, portable, temporary HVAC solutions can be a saving grace for families in need

Top Heat Pump Installation Mistakes — And How to Avoid Them

OEM experts on common heat pump installation mistakes and how to avoid them

Matt Jachman

June 26, 2025

The increasing popularity of residential air-source heat pumps also means increasing room for installation errors. Experts from several manufacturers list some common mistakes and explain how to steer clear of them.

Trump’s New Executive Order Puts Skilled Trades — and HVACR — Front and Center

The order boosts apprenticeships to tackle trade labor shortages

Hannah Belloli-Oster

May 9, 2025

President Trump’s new executive order promises to tackle America’s skilled labor shortage by boosting apprenticeships and modernizing workforce programs. But will it be enough? Not without the help of HVACR organizations, and not unless contractors act now to seize this opportunity to shape the future of the trades.

Contractor Pro Homeowner Series

How To Be the First and Last Quote a Homeowner Gets

Homeowners are likely to go with the first HVAC contractor they trust

Hannah Belloli-Oster

October 15, 2024

Homeowners have a few key concerns/priorities when choosing an HVAC contractor. These include the quality and timeliness of the installation, price, convenience, warranty, and trust.

Beyond Paychecks: How Incentives Transform HVACR Technician Retention

Creative incentives are key to boosting tech loyalty in competitive labor market

Hannah Belloli-Oster

June 6, 2025

Struggling to keep your HVACR technicians from jumping ship? Join the club. With skilled labor harder to find than ever, contractors are turning to creative incentive programs that go beyond just paychecks — boosting morale, sparking friendly competition, and building loyalty for the long haul.

Homeowners Want Sustainable HVAC Upgrades—But Cost Is Still the Biggest Barrier

New survey sheds light on the residential market

Matt Jachman

June 13, 2025

A sizeable majority of those surveyed said sustainability was important in making decisions about upgrading their homes, and the potential for saving money was the most-cited reason. Concern for the environment was a distant second.

Contractor Pro Homeowner Series

Why HVAC Accessories Don’t Sell Online — Yet

Contractors push online accessory sales, but homeowners need a reason to care

Hannah Belloli-Oster

April 29, 2025

According to recent survey data, more HVAC contractors are selling accessories online — but most homeowners aren’t biting. What’s the holdup? From smart thermostats to IAQ bundles, success hinges on education, marketing, and showing real value.

FROSTlines

The Care and Cleaning of Microchannel Condensers

Follow best practices when cleaning and repairing leaks in these types of coils

Joe Marchese

June 27, 2025

Following best practices when cleaning and repairing leaks is crucial in systems with microchannel condensers.

How HVAC Maintenance Agreements Jumpstart Your Summer

HVAC maintenance is a game-changer for your business

Will Merritt

June 8, 2025

Summer is when HVAC techs want to chase calls—not clean coils. But that attitude could be holding your company back. What if maintenance visits were actually your biggest untapped sales engine?

Carrier Updates Brand Identity, Purpose Statement

The ACHR NEWS Editorial Staff

June 9, 2025

This brand evolution reflects Carrier’s strategic transformation and commitment to driving sustainable growth, innovation, and global impact, the company said in a press release.

HARDI: A2L A/C, Heat Pump Sales Outstrip Sales of Non-A2L Units

The ACHR NEWS Editorial Staff

June 11, 2025

HARDI’s Unitary Market Intelligence Report for April says that central ducted HVAC systems using A2L refrigerants accounted for 51% of sales that month, and preliminary May data indicates further growth to 60%, a press release from HARDI said.

FYI: News Briefs in HVAC - June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

For your information news briefs from a wide variety of categories within the HVAC industry. Price increases, mergers and acquisitions, award winners, and more are highlighted here each week.

Daikin: Single-Zone Heat Pump

June 10, 2025

These inverter-driven systems provide quiet operation — as low as 25 dB(A) indoors — and effective performance in a wide temperature range, cooling from 50°F to 115°F and heating from 5°F to 65°F.

Fellowes: Networked Air Purification System

June 4, 2025

Array continuously monitors and reacts to conditions using sensors for particulate matter, occupancy, temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, TVOCs, and air pressure.

Anacove: Smart Thermostat

May 28, 2025

It uses advanced sensors to monitor temperature, humidity, air quality, and occupancy, providing continuous optimization of HVAC systems across an entire property.

On Demand As AI workloads and high-density computing push traditional cooling methods to their limits, the data center industry is accelerating the adoption of next-generation HVAC technologies.

In this webinar, we'll outline how top contractors are turning every conversation into predictable revenue by coaching every comfort advisor visit, not just the ones a manager rides along on.

ACHR NEWS

2025 June 30

Cover Story

Everything HVAC Contractors Need To Know About the R-454 Shortage

California Heat Pump Study Shows Some Surprising Results

Feature Articles

Hang In There, HVAC

Stay Cool, Stay Booked: The Portable HVAC Solution for Peak Season

Top Heat Pump Installation Mistakes — And How to Avoid Them

Trump’s New Executive Order Puts Skilled Trades — and HVACR — Front and Center

How To Be the First and Last Quote a Homeowner Gets

Beyond Paychecks: How Incentives Transform HVACR Technician Retention

Homeowners Want Sustainable HVAC Upgrades—But Cost Is Still the Biggest Barrier

Why HVAC Accessories Don’t Sell Online — Yet

The Care and Cleaning of Microchannel Condensers

Columns

How HVAC Maintenance Agreements Jumpstart Your Summer

Newsline

Carrier Updates Brand Identity, Purpose Statement

HARDI: A2L A/C, Heat Pump Sales Outstrip Sales of Non-A2L Units

FYI

FYI: News Briefs in HVAC - June 30, 2025

New HVAC Products

Daikin: Single-Zone Heat Pump

Fellowes: Networked Air Purification System

Anacove: Smart Thermostat

Sign Up. Stay Informed.

The #1 trusted source for the HVACR industry since 1926