November 17 2025 Issue

This issue of The ACHR NEWS catches up with heat pump manufacturers to talk about the market post-incentives, the popular region-by-region 2025-26 winter weather outlook, how contractors should brace for change during refrigerant roulette, the expansive 2025 Commercial Heating Showcase, a look at how ducted systems are still dominating the market, commercial geothermal’s surge as residential credits dwindle, understanding the EPA’s refrigerant phasedown, the right stub connection for replacement compressors, inside the equipment M&A surge, and the latest from Distribution Trends.

Check back throughout the week for additional content.

Heat Pump Makers See Market Opportunities

Experts: Loss of incentives means a chance to re-focus on product’s qualities

Matt Jachman

November 14, 2025

Manufacturers say the “next wave” of growth will be retrofit-friendly systems that drop into existing homes with minimal electrical work.

The HVAC Contractor’s 2025-26 Winter Weather Forecast

‘Mostly mild, with pockets of wild'

Dylan Kurt

November 6, 2025

Signs are showing there's going to be some increased heating demand this winter, along with a handful of volatile swings.

Commercial Heating Showcase 2025

New HVAC equipment to meet commercial customer demand this winter

Joanna R. Turpin

November 17, 2025

From high-turndown boilers and electrified heat pumps to smarter rooftop units and DOAS systems, this year’s commercial heating lineup combines higher efficiency with easier installation and service.

FROSTlines

Refrigerant Roulette: Contractors Brace For More Change

As the R-454B shortage subsides, another transition is already being planned

Joanna R. Turpin

October 21, 2025

Another refrigerant transition is inevitable, as innovation drives HVAC forward. But without clearer communication and coordination next time, contractors’ patience — and trust — may finally run out.

Contractor Pro Unitary Trends Series

Ducted HVAC Remains Dominant Even as Ductless Adoption Climbs

New study also shows full-system sales hold, price increase pressure rises

Dylan Kurt

November 18, 2025

Data from a recent survey confirms that ducts drive decisions.

Residential Credits Wind Down, Commercial Geothermal Powers Ahead

With federal incentives still in play, commercial geothermal projects are gaining ground

Hannah Belloli-Oster

November 13, 2025

Residential credits are set to sunset, but commercial geothermal continues to gain momentum thanks to not-yet-expiring tax incentives, innovation, and maturing tech. For HVACR contractors, the next wave of geothermal growth hinges on training and design expertise.

FROSTlines

Progress Postponed: Understanding EPA’s Proposed Changes to Refrigerant Rule

EPA considers extending compliance deadlines under its Technology Transitions rule

Jennifer Butsch

November 5, 2025

EPA’s proposed rule may offer short-term flexibility, but industry leaders warn it could trigger HFC shortages and stranded assets.

Selecting the Right Stub Connection for Replacement Compressors

Matching stub connections makes installs easier, while the wrong choice can add delays

Joe Marchese

November 4, 2025

Choosing the wrong stub connection can delay a compressor install — learn the differences and why matching them saves time, money, and frustration.

Could Better Forecasting Stop Another HVAC Supply Chain Problem?

Kyle Gargaro

October 16, 2025

Two crises in five years exposed the same gap: distributors and suppliers aren’t forecasting together.

HARDI Is Equipping Distributors for Data-Driven Confidence in 2026

Benchmarking program, customer feedback will be front and center at group’s annual conference

Allison Greene

November 13, 2025

HARDI’s annual conference, Gold Standard, comes at the close of a turbulent year for the HVACR industry.

Distributor Opens New Vermont Location

October 14, 2025

“Our wholesale store is uniquely positioned to fulfill pressing needs for building materials in this area,” said Brian Bradley, general manager of F.W. Webb Co.s new location in Middlebury, Vermont.

Platform Gives HVACR Industry Political Advocacy Tools

October 24, 2025

HARDI's new Grassroots Advocacy Center is a central hub for HARDI members to learn about key legislative and regulatory issues that impact their businesses.

Hercules Acquires Kansas-Based HVAC Distributor

September 10, 2025

“We are very excited about adding the NSC Home team to the Hercules family. Hercules will add the breadth of our product lines to their current product lineup, providing a huge opportunity for their seasoned sales team to instantly become a major player in the Kansas City market,” said Andy Newland, president of Hercules Industries.

Data Center Courtesy of the National Center for Supercomputing Applications

Inside the HVAC Equipment M&A Surge: Data Centers, Efficiency, and Private Equity

From compressors to controls, HVAC equipment is now an investor magnet

Justin Wolfort

October 27, 2025

Data centers need cooling solutions — and that need keeps growing every year.

BREAKING NEWS

RectorSeal Acquires MARS Parts

The ACHR NEWS Editorial Staff

November 4, 2025

RectorSeal closes its acquisition of MARS Parts, adding motors, capacitors, relays, and contactors to its HVAC lineup.

SkillCat and NATE Partner to Make Certification More Accessible

The ACHR NEWS Editorial Staff

November 3, 2025

Through this collaboration, the NATE Ready-to-Work (RTW) certificate is now available directly inside SkillCat’s mobile app — empowering anyone, anywhere to study, prepare, and get certified entirely from their phone.

Airedale by Modine Unveils Skid-Based CDU

The ACHR NEWS Editorial Staff

October 31, 2025

Engineered for longevity and performance, each unit features components including stainless steel pipework, 25-micron filtration, and active harmonic filtration, delivering a sustainable liquid cooling solution with an expected lifecycle that could exceed 15 years.

FYI: News Briefs in HVAC - November 17, 2025

November 17, 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.

ACHR NEWS

2025 November 17

Cover Story

Heat Pump Makers See Market Opportunities

The HVAC Contractor’s 2025-26 Winter Weather Forecast

Feature Articles

Commercial Heating Showcase 2025

Refrigerant Roulette: Contractors Brace For More Change

Ducted HVAC Remains Dominant Even as Ductless Adoption Climbs

Residential Credits Wind Down, Commercial Geothermal Powers Ahead

Progress Postponed: Understanding EPA’s Proposed Changes to Refrigerant Rule

Selecting the Right Stub Connection for Replacement Compressors

Distribution Trends

Could Better Forecasting Stop Another HVAC Supply Chain Problem?

HARDI Is Equipping Distributors for Data-Driven Confidence in 2026

Distributor Opens New Vermont Location

Platform Gives HVACR Industry Political Advocacy Tools

Hercules Acquires Kansas-Based HVAC Distributor

Columns

Inside the HVAC Equipment M&A Surge: Data Centers, Efficiency, and Private Equity

Newsline

RectorSeal Acquires MARS Parts

SkillCat and NATE Partner to Make Certification More Accessible

Airedale by Modine Unveils Skid-Based CDU

FYI

FYI: News Briefs in HVAC - November 17, 2025

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