September 8 2025 Issue

This issue of The ACHR NEWS takes a look at the first wave of A2L commercial refrigeration equipment hitting the market, what techs are getting paid in 2025, why a technician might leave for another company, smart commercial heat pumps and smarter contractor solutions, how to get commercial spaces to net zero, what’s happening with simultaneous heating and cooling in the VRF market, geothermal after the “big, beautiful bill,” the last call for IRA tax credits, things techs can only learn from the field, R-454B shortage’s impact on residential sales, six tips for HVAC websites, a look at new products, and the latest from SNIPS NEWS.

Check back throughout the week for additional content.

A2L Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Hits the Market

With the necessary codes and standards in place, A2L systems are finally available

Joanna R. Turpin

September 3, 2025

The commercial refrigeration sector is fully stepping into the A2L era, with manufacturers offering a wide range of solutions designed to meet current— and future — regulatory demands.

From $54K to $90K: What HVAC Techs Are Really Making in 2025

Pay is up, but is it keeping up?

Dylan Kurt

August 16, 2025

New state-by-state wage data is showing steady growth in technician pay, but money alone isn’t guaranteeing retention.

Why HVAC Technicians Leave — In Their Own Words

Two technicians speak candidly — under the promise of anonymity — about what’s broken in the HVAC industry

Dylan Kurt

September 5, 2025

“I try to stay empathetic — but it’s getting harder.” Anonymous techs get real about the job.

Smart Commercial Heat Pumps, Smarter Contractors

AI, IoT, and BAS are transforming commercial heat pump performance

Hannah Belloli-Oster

September 4, 2025

Commercial heat pumps are no longer just on/off equipment. With AI-driven controls, IoT sensors, and advanced BAS integration, these systems adapt in real time, predict faults, and optimize comfort and efficiency. For HVACR contractors, that means new opportunities — and new demands for digital know-how.

From Aspirations to Action: How HVAC Can Get Commercial Spaces to Net Zero

Decarbonization has the ROI to pay dividends, if building owners know where to start

Dylan Kurt

August 19, 2025

Commercial buildings are looking to hit emissions targets, and are in desperate need of HVAC contractors to show them the way.

Contractor Pro Ductless Series

Simultaneous Heating & Cooling in VRF: Market Slows, but Value Holds

New survey shows a decline in adoption, but SHC technology remains central to efficiency

Dylan Kurt

September 8, 2025

Once VRF’s signature feature, simultaneous heating and cooling, just saw its first decline in adoption.

Guest Column

Does Your HVAC Website Pass the Homeowner Test?

6 tips for creating an HVAC website that actually makes customers want to click

Will Merritt

September 10, 2025

Your next lead might come down to one thing: user experience.

Geothermal Takes a Hit — and a Leap — in Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill”

End of residential geo credits looms large, but third-party leasing option offers new lifeline

Maria Taylor

August 15, 2025

Geo leaders talk tax credits, road map to geo success.

Last Call for IRA Tax Credits: How HVACR Contractors Can Maximize Incentives Before They Expire

Maximize sales and customer savings before it’s too late

Hannah Belloli-Oster

August 14, 2025

The clock is ticking on IRA tax credits. With incentives of up to $3,200 in savings set to expire at the end of 2025, HVACR contractors have a limited window to boost sales, educate customers, and stand out from competitors who aren’t talking incentives.

I Wasn’t Taught That: Things HVACR Techs Only Learn From the Field

Advice from today’s technicians they wish they’d gotten

Hannah Belloli-Oster

September 9, 2025

In this article, three technicians shared the things they wish they’d known starting out, the mistakes that taught them the most, and the “unwritten rules” a tech can only learn on the job.

FROSTlines

Refrigerant Shortage Cools Residential HVAC Sales

Manufacturers lower expectations for second half of the year as R-454B issues persist

Joanna R. Turpin

August 12, 2025

HVAC manufacturers warn of a residential sales slowdown this fall, due to refrigerant shortages, mild weather, and cautious homeowners

What Sheet Metal Contractors Need to Know About Seismic Bracing

Seismic concerns aren’t just for California: building codes are tightening from the Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes

Austin Keating

September 8, 2025

Seismic bracing for ductwork has become an essential, industry-wide priority, driven by evolving codes, higher client expectations, and the costly lessons of past earthquakes.

EPA’s New IAQ Guidance Recognizes Benefits of 'Source Removal'

Longstanding skepticism gives way to updated federal recommendations

SNIPS NEWS Editorial Staff

August 4, 2025

After nearly three decades of caution and skepticism, the EPA updates its stance on air duct cleaning, validating source control as a best practice and giving duct cleaning contractors new ground in the fight for better indoor air quality.

New Steel and Aluminum Tariffs Expand to 400+ More Products

The Trump administration’s latest move triples the reach of steel and aluminum tariffs

Austin Keating

August 25, 2025

HVAC and sheet metal contractors now face higher costs, more paperwork, and sweeping supply chain uncertainty as over 400 new categories fall under Section 232 restrictions.

American Metals Supply and Mestek Machinery’s New Distribution Strategy

By stocking key machines across strategic locations and leveraging recent federal tax incentives, AMS is transforming how contractors access and invest in HVAC fabrication technology

Austin Keating

September 11, 2025

American Metals Supply and Mestek Machinery have teamed up to launch the Midwest’s first large-scale, in-stock HVAC fabrication machinery distribution program to meet surging demand.

Nidec Acquires Compressor Manufacturer Xecom

July 18, 2025

Nidec recently acquired Xecom, a manufacturer of scroll compressors, and the move extends the Embraco brand's capabilities to the HVAC market while broadening its presence in the refrigeration segment.

BREAKING NEWS

Carrier Now Offers Delivery of R-454B Within 2 Weeks

August 22, 2025

Customers can place orders with no minimum quantity, no maximum quantity (orders exceeding 5,000 units may require additional lead time), and no requirement to have orders bundled with other refrigerants.

FYI: News Briefs in HVAC - September 8, 2025

September 8, 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.

ETCO: Locking Ring Terminals

August 5, 2025

Maintaining connection integrity during the manufacture and shipping of HVAC equipment, the locking ring terminals prevent rotation, arcing, and electrical shorts.

Aspen Manufacturing: Convertible Coils and Air Handler Systems

August 26, 2025

The systems can be converted at the factory or in the field, when paired with the appropriate metering device and Refrigerant Detection System (RDS).

Nationwide Boiler: Combustion Controls

August 20, 2025

This combustion management technology ensures optimal burner operations and combustion.

TSI OmniTrak Environmental Monitoring Solution

TSI: Monitoring Solution

August 22, 2025

The module captures particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon dioxide (CO₂), temperature, relative humidity, and barometric pressure in a single device.

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 September 8

Cover Story

A2L Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Hits the Market

From $54K to $90K: What HVAC Techs Are Really Making in 2025

Feature Articles

Why HVAC Technicians Leave — In Their Own Words

Smart Commercial Heat Pumps, Smarter Contractors

From Aspirations to Action: How HVAC Can Get Commercial Spaces to Net Zero

Simultaneous Heating & Cooling in VRF: Market Slows, but Value Holds

Does Your HVAC Website Pass the Homeowner Test?

Geothermal Takes a Hit — and a Leap — in Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill”

Last Call for IRA Tax Credits: How HVACR Contractors Can Maximize Incentives Before They Expire

I Wasn’t Taught That: Things HVACR Techs Only Learn From the Field

Refrigerant Shortage Cools Residential HVAC Sales

SNIPS NEWS

What Sheet Metal Contractors Need to Know About Seismic Bracing

EPA’s New IAQ Guidance Recognizes Benefits of 'Source Removal'

New Steel and Aluminum Tariffs Expand to 400+ More Products

American Metals Supply and Mestek Machinery’s New Distribution Strategy

Newsline

Nidec Acquires Compressor Manufacturer Xecom

Carrier Now Offers Delivery of R-454B Within 2 Weeks

FYI

FYI: News Briefs in HVAC - September 8, 2025

New HVAC Products

ETCO: Locking Ring Terminals

Aspen Manufacturing: Convertible Coils and Air Handler Systems

Nationwide Boiler: Combustion Controls

TSI: Monitoring Solution

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