July 28 2025 Issue

This issue of The ACHR NEWS showcases the results of the first reader-voted HVAC All-Star Awards, which include the best commercial and residential products, best podcaster/influencer, HVAC Legend, best HVAC school/program, and the best commercial and residential contractors. The issue also explores how helping, not just selling, can build relationships, five ways to maximize summertime efficiency, the heat pump surge, understanding a compressor’s operating boundaries, A2L leak detection, the five principles of trust-building, a look at new products, and the latest from Distribution Trends.

Check back throughout the week for additional content.

All-Star Awards 2025 Winners

The ACHR NEWS Editorial Staff

July 28, 2025

This program honors standouts in categories ranging from innovative tools and technology to outstanding business leadership, workforce development, and industry influence. Winners were selected through peer nomination and voted on by ACHR NEWS readers.

All-Star Awards 2025: Residential Product

One Size Fits All — Rheem’s Universal Heat Pump Wins Big

This year’s winner was built for the new era of residential swap-outs

Dylan Kurt

July 29, 2025

Rheem’s inverter-driven unit checked all the boxes for voters.

All-Star Awards 2025: Commercial Product

Lennox’s Xion RTU Crowned Best Commercial Product in 2025

The Xion line leads a new generation of RTUs — designed with techs in mind and built for smarter, faster fieldwork

Dylan Kurt

July 30, 2025

In the first-ever HVAC All-Star Awards, readers made their voices heard, and placed the rooftop on top.

All-Star Awards 2025: Residential Contractor

From Basement to Benchmark: Lakeside Service Sets the Standard

Top All-Star contractor built on “unwavering commitment” to customer service

Matt Jachman

July 31, 2025

From its humble beginnings in the founder’s basement, Lakeside Service Co. has grown into a highly respected residential HVAC and plumbing contracting firm.

All-Star Awards 2025: Commercial Contractor

Detroit-Area Rolls Mechanical Is ‘Best Team Doing the Best Work’

Client relationships, employee talent development behind the company’s success

Matt Jachman

August 1, 2025

Rolls Mechanical, the inaugural HVAC All Star in commercial contracting, has been a part of some of the construction projects that have signaled Detroit’s comeback.

All-Star Awards 2025: HVAC School

HVAC School ‘For Techs, By Techs’

HVAC U, LLC is this year’s Honorable Mention

Hannah Belloli-Oster

August 4, 2025

HVAC School isn’t your typical training program — it doesn’t follow a set curriculum, nor does it operate out of a classroom. Instead, it’s an online resource and community created “For Techs, by Techs.”

All-Star Awards 2025: Podcaster / Influencer

How Lennox ON AIR Is Changing the HVAC Conversation

Inside the podcast that’s redefining what it means to share, learn, and laugh in the HVAC industry — one unscripted story at a time

Austin Keating

August 5, 2025

With an open-door approach and stories straight from the field, Lennox ON AIR brings HVAC professionals together to learn, laugh, and grow as a community.

All-Star Awards 2025 Legend - Karen Meyers

All-Star Awards 2025: HVAC Legend

Policy, Purpose, Progress: Karen Meyers Leaves Her Mark on HVAC

Rheem VP built government affairs from scratch, helped steer refrigerant reform

Joanna R. Turpin

August 6, 2025

The HVAC Legend award was given to Rheem’s Karen Meyers, who has been a driving force behind key policy initiatives, energy efficiency standards, and the advancement of sustainable technologies. 

How to Help Customers, Instead of Just Selling to Them

Implementing “good deeds” will make your company stand out and create lasting relationships

Hannah Belloli-Oster

March 10, 2025

When a contractor starts helping customers by going above and beyond, outside of their job description, that’s when they can really begin to have a lasting impact.

5 Ways HVACR Contractors Can Maximize Efficiency During the Summer Rush

Tips from preseason prep to smarter scheduling

Hannah Belloli-Oster

July 16, 2025

The phones won’t stop ringing. The schedules are packed. And the heat isn’t letting up. Here's how smart HVACR contractors keep their cool, and their teams efficient, all summer long.

Heat Pumps Surge Ahead: What HVAC Contractors Need to Know Now

AHRI shipment data shows heat pumps outselling furnaces by 30%, closing in fast on air conditioners

Maria Taylor

July 7, 2025

Will regional strength help the market stay strong after federal incentives wind down?

FROSTlines

Understanding A Compressor’s Operating Envelope

This tool helps prevent both premature failure and repeat failure in replacement compressors

Joe Marchese

July 25, 2025

Learning how to use the compressor operating envelope can help service contractors prevent failures, as well as choose the correct replacement compressor.

FROSTlines

Leak Detection Critical as Industry Transitions to A2L Refrigerants

Techs should focus on preventing leaks in both new and existing HVACR systems

Justin Bailey

July 28, 2025

With A2L refrigerants, leak prevention and detection matter more than ever, so technicians should follow best practices and use the right tools to find and fix leaks.

HVAC Distributors Rethinking Warehousing Amid R-454B Shortages and A2L Rules

Flexibility, communication keys to warehouse efficiency in challenging times, experts say

Matt Jachman

July 21, 2025

Warehouse teams need to be nimble, and communicate often, to operate best in times like these, according to several HVACR distribution professionals.

Distribution Trends

Efficient Warehouse Organization Helps Keep the Customers Happy

Darrell Sterling

July 24, 2025

Safety, efficiency, and having a project champion are keys to a well-organized HVACR warehouse.

Winsupply N. Richmond president Matt Jones

New Winsupply Location Opens in Richmond, Va.

The ACHR NEWS Editorial Staff

June 20, 2025

Winsupply N. Richmond has four full-time employees and one part-time employee. President Matt Jones plans to add a fifth full-time role soon.

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.

New CFO at Master HVACR Controls Distributor Neuco

June 2, 2025

As Neuco's new CFO, Rene Finco will join both Neuco’s senior executive leadership team and its advisory board.

Nidec VP Wins Distribution Giant's Leadership Award

April 24, 2025

Nidec partners with Johnstone Supply for the distribution of several HVAC motor lines, including U.S. Motors, Rescue, Embraco, and Nidec Techno.

Guest Column

The 5 First Principles of Trust-Building

Julian Scadden

July 29, 2025

Trust isn’t built over time — it’s built in seconds.

Crew at Chicago Pipefitters Training Center

Nibco Donates Equipment to 2 Training Organizations

The ACHR NEWS Editorial Staff

July 1, 2025

“The donation of the boiler and water-heater system training board is a game-changer for our training academy,” said Justin Fidler, area lead instructor at ABC Construction Prep Academy.

HomeServe to Sponsor 5 PHCC Scholarships

July 11, 2025

HomeServe plans to fund five scholarships this year, with each award providing $3,000 in support for students pursuing plumbing or HVAC apprenticeship or service technician training.

FYI: News Briefs in HVAC - July 28, 2025

July 28, 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 issue.

Navien NWP500 Heat Pump Water Heater 1170x658

Navien: Heat Pump Water Heater

July 24, 2025

Built with a stainless steel tank and coated aluminum coils, the system is engineered for long-term corrosion resistance and reduced maintenance needs, eliminating the requirement for anode rods.

Marketair: Mini-Split Condenser Weather Shield

July 22, 2025

CoolRoof is constructed of double wall, durable outdoor UV-rated polyethylene.

Danfoss:Thermostatic Expansion Valve Kit

July 21, 2025

Engineered for legacy R-410A systems, as well as low-GWP refrigerants like R-454B and R-32, the Universal TR6 offers HVAC wholesalers and contractors a versatile solution that ensures efficiency, reliability, and ease of installation.

NAVAC Digital Manifold Gauge with MeasureQuick 1170x658

NAVAC: Smart Diagnostic Tools

July 18, 2025

The integration also includes NAVAC’s new line of smart probes, which are designed for precision and ease of use.

Greenheck: Dedicated Outdoor Air System

July 16, 2025

The new unit offers airflow capacities from 8,000 to 29,200 cfm, packaged DX cooling from 50 to 100 tons, and indirect gas heating from 800 to 2,000 mbh.

Fujitsu AIRSTAGE Multi-Position Air Handling Unit

Fujitsu: Air Handler

July 14, 2025

Available in capacities ranging from 12,000 to 48,000 Btu/h, the MPAHU is suited for both new construction and retrofit applications.

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 will detail what HVAC material buyers and technicians need to know when selecting duct mastics, including matching mastic to substrate, alternatives to liquid mastic, and where UL 181 Listings fit into real world installations.

ACHR NEWS

2025 July 28

Cover Story

All-Star Awards 2025 Winners

Feature Articles

One Size Fits All — Rheem’s Universal Heat Pump Wins Big

Lennox’s Xion RTU Crowned Best Commercial Product in 2025

From Basement to Benchmark: Lakeside Service Sets the Standard

Detroit-Area Rolls Mechanical Is ‘Best Team Doing the Best Work’

HVAC School ‘For Techs, By Techs’

How Lennox ON AIR Is Changing the HVAC Conversation

Policy, Purpose, Progress: Karen Meyers Leaves Her Mark on HVAC

How to Help Customers, Instead of Just Selling to Them

5 Ways HVACR Contractors Can Maximize Efficiency During the Summer Rush

Heat Pumps Surge Ahead: What HVAC Contractors Need to Know Now

Understanding A Compressor’s Operating Envelope

Leak Detection Critical as Industry Transitions to A2L Refrigerants

Distribution Trends

HVAC Distributors Rethinking Warehousing Amid R-454B Shortages and A2L Rules

Efficient Warehouse Organization Helps Keep the Customers Happy

New Winsupply Location Opens in Richmond, Va.

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

New CFO at Master HVACR Controls Distributor Neuco

Nidec VP Wins Distribution Giant's Leadership Award

Columns

The 5 First Principles of Trust-Building

Newsline

Nibco Donates Equipment to 2 Training Organizations

HomeServe to Sponsor 5 PHCC Scholarships

FYI

FYI: News Briefs in HVAC - July 28, 2025

New HVAC Products

Navien: Heat Pump Water Heater

Marketair: Mini-Split Condenser Weather Shield

Danfoss:Thermostatic Expansion Valve Kit

NAVAC: Smart Diagnostic Tools

Greenheck: Dedicated Outdoor Air System

Fujitsu: Air Handler

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