August 25 2025 Issue

ACHR NEWS

2025 August 25

This issue of The ACHR NEWS asks if DOE deregulation could flood the market with cheap imports, the EPA refrigerant rule coming under pressure, a leasing breakthrough that could reshape residential geothermal, IAQ add-ons in residential, a guide to smart HVAC products, smart thermostats emerging as a big tool for contractors, the VRF market heating up again, how to deal with AI calling to check prices, the ABCs of air conditioning, safety first when working on RTUs, and how AI is being used to build trust with customers.

Check back throughout the week for additional content.

DOE’s Proposed Efficiency Rollbacks Raise Industry Concerns Over Imports, Consumer Impact

Regulations could lead to cheap imports

Hannah Belloli-Oster

August 13, 2025

The DOE says the changes will ease regulatory burdens, lower consumer costs, and improve Americans’ quality of life. But industry stakeholders are raising red flags, warning that weakening efficiency standards could open the door to an influx of low-cost, lower-quality imports.

EPA's Refrigerant Rule Under Pressure

Lawmakers push to revise the HFC phasedown mandate, but industry groups warn this could create chaos

Joanna R. Turpin

August 12, 2025

Industry groups warn that rolling back EPA’s Technology Transitions rule would cause chaos, as lawmakers push to change what they believe is an aggressive timeline and broad scope.

Contractor Guide to Smart HVAC: Sensors, Portals, and Privacy

Smart tools streamlining installations, making remote diagnostics a reality

Dylan Kurt

August 21, 2025

Smart tools are becoming standard in HVAC, helping contractors deliver better installs, fewer callbacks, and stronger customer relationships.

Fresh Air, Energy Savings, and Comfort: The Case for Air Handler Accessories

Optional residential equipment can be attached to, or near, air handlers in ducted systems

Matt Jachman

August 27, 2025

These residential products can clean the air, kill contaminants, regulate humidity, and introduce fresh air into ducted HVAC systems.

Leasing Breakthrough Could Reshape Residential Geothermal

New policy opens door to third-party ownership, modeled on success of solar

Maria Taylor

August 28, 2025

The geothermal tax credit is ending — but a new opportunity is just beginning.

Remote-Controlled Revenue: Smart Thermostats Emerging as Big Tool for HVAC

Diagnose, dispatch, and deliver from a distance, all while selling service plans

Dylan Kurt

August 18, 2025

Smart thermostats aren’t new, but contractors are finally putting their full potential to work — diagnosing problems remotely, halting unnecessary truck rolls, and turning the technology into opportunities for recurring revenue.

Contractor Pro Ductless Series

Contractors Optimistic on VRF Despite Refrigerant Hurdles

Survey: Those who work in the variable refrigerant flow sector are upbeat about its future

Matt Jachman

August 25, 2025

The survey got responses from professionals who work with VRF, and found, on average, that they expect 52% of their projects will involve VRF by 2029.

AI Can Now Call To Price-Check HVAC

Google’s new feature can’t be ignored by contractors, and adjustments are needed

Dylan Kurt

August 13, 2025

The HVAC industry has entered a completely new world, and contractors who don’t have their ducks in a row now are going to be left behind.

Guest Column

3 Things HVAC Techs Forget About Airflow

A technician’s quick guide to airflow troubleshooting

Lianna Schwalenberg

July 3, 2025

With cooling season in full swing, it’s time to revisit airflow basics.

FROSTlines

Safety First When Working on Rooftop Condensing Units

Do not take unnecessary risks when accessing this equipment

Joe Marchese

August 23, 2025

Rooftop service is never convenient, but always put safety first and plan ahead to reduce trips up and down the ladder.

Guest Column

Automating Trust: How Smart Contracts Could Revolutionize HVACR Service Agreements

Scott Merritt

August 9, 2025

Tired of delays and paperwork? See how self-executing agreements might unlock a smarter, smoother future for service-based HVAC operations.

Ice Air Now Making Heat Pumps in South Carolina

The ACHR NEWS Editorial Staff

August 8, 2025

Ice Air is planning to expand its plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, in order to produce next-generation cold-climate heat pump systems

Google to End Updates for Early Nest Thermostats

But users may be eligible for discounts on thermostat upgrades

The ACHR NEWS Editorial Staff

July 22, 2025

In a blog post for an audience of Nest Thermostat users, the company said that “it has become increasingly challenging to continue to update these products given the early hardware.”

FYI: News Briefs in HVAC - August 25, 2025

August 25, 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.

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 August 25

Cover Story

DOE’s Proposed Efficiency Rollbacks Raise Industry Concerns Over Imports, Consumer Impact

EPA's Refrigerant Rule Under Pressure

Feature Articles

Contractor Guide to Smart HVAC: Sensors, Portals, and Privacy

Fresh Air, Energy Savings, and Comfort: The Case for Air Handler Accessories

Leasing Breakthrough Could Reshape Residential Geothermal

Remote-Controlled Revenue: Smart Thermostats Emerging as Big Tool for HVAC

Contractors Optimistic on VRF Despite Refrigerant Hurdles

AI Can Now Call To Price-Check HVAC

3 Things HVAC Techs Forget About Airflow

Columns

Safety First When Working on Rooftop Condensing Units

Automating Trust: How Smart Contracts Could Revolutionize HVACR Service Agreements

Newsline

Ice Air Now Making Heat Pumps in South Carolina

Google to End Updates for Early Nest Thermostats

FYI

FYI: News Briefs in HVAC - August 25, 2025

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