January 19 2026 Issue

This issue of The ACHR NEWS takes a look at the risks of dismissing new technology, what the surge in electric heating means for the industry, seven predictions for 2026, the AHR Expo in Vegas, winners of the Innovation Award products featured at the AHR Expo, the fundamentals of heat pump defrost control board operations, smart installs for smart thermostats, the new construction market, benefits of CO₂ vs. A2Ls in commercial refrigeration, stranded vs solid wires in refrigeration systems, a field report from the heat pump revolution, and the latest from Distribution Trends.

Check back throughout the week for additional content.

Old School, New Risks: Why Standing Still Isn’t Safe in HVAC

Industry leaders warn that dismissing new HVAC technology isn’t protecting contractors — it’s putting them behind.

Maria Taylor

December 19, 2025

“We’ve always done it this way” may just be the most dangerous phrase in the industry.

Electric Heating Surges: What it Means for HVACR Contractors

42% of U.S. households now rely primarily on electricity for heating

Hannah Belloli-Oster

January 6, 2026

For HVACR contractors, the shift to electric is no longer a hypothetical or a phenomenon. It’s become a force shaping demand, training needs, pricing strategies, and long-term business planning.

7 Predictions for HVAC in 2026

Tariffs aren’t going anywhere, Silicon Valley wants a chiller, and commercial HVAC pulls ahead: Experts talk the next year in HVAC

Maria Taylor

January 2, 2026

Will 2026 be the year of the refrigerant bounty?

HVAC's Biggest Event Betting On Vegas

Smart products, greater efficiency get top billing at 2026 AHR Expo

Matt Jachman

January 19, 2026

The AHR Expo returns to Las Vegas and a newly expanded convention center in February. Smart systems, AI, electrification, and efficiency will be among the Expo’s key themes.

AHR Expo Announces 2026 Innovation Awards Winners

The ACHR NEWS Editorial Staff

October 23, 2025

Each year, the Innovation Awards receive hundreds of submissions from manufacturers putting forward their breakthrough designs for new and never before seen solutions or improvements upon existing products and technologies.

Understanding a Defrost Board on a Heat Pump

Prevent cold-weather callbacks and diagnose issues faster

Matthew Akins

January 21, 2026

This technical primer breaks down defrost control board operation, key components, and practical troubleshooting steps every HVACR technician should know.

Smart Thermostats, Smarter Installs: Commissioning Steps That Cut Callbacks

Ecobee and Del-Air share commissioning steps that keep comfort complaints and wiring mistakes from reaching the dispatcher

Dylan Kurt

December 18, 2025

Pro Setup, Wi-Fi verification, and on-site homeowner training keep smart controls from turning into service headaches

Signs of a Turnaround: What 2026 Holds for the HVAC Construction Market

A stabilizing market, uneven construction activity, and easing rates set the stage for a cautious but improving 2026

Hannah Belloli-Oster

January 7, 2026

Despite signs of improvement heading into 2026, conditions remain fragile. Affordability pressures, tight lending standards, and elevated material costs are still shaping how — and where — projects move forward.

FROSTlines

 CO₂ vs. A2Ls in Commercial Refrigeration

Choosing the right refrigerant for an application means weighing a variety of factors

Don Fort

January 17, 2026

Food retailers are transitioning from HFCs to CO₂ or A2L refrigerants, but the right choice depends on climate, codes, cost, safety, and skilled labor availability.

FROSTlines

Solid Versus Stranded Wire in Refrigeration Systems

Understanding the differences between the two will help techs make the right choice

Joe Marchese

January 13, 2026

When replacing refrigeration components, wiring may also need updating. Techs must choose the correct wire gauge for the amperage, as well as decide between solid or stranded wire.

New Year, New Goals

It’s the season to review what works, set new goals, and plan for the year ahead

Darrell Sterling

January 14, 2026

If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail, as the saying goes. Take time to reflect on the past year, gather relevant input, and set goals for distribution sales success in the year ahead.

New Leadership Announced at 2025 HARDI Conference

New chairwoman plans to build on distribution trade group’s ‘strong momentum’

Matt Jachman

January 15, 2026

Lauren Roberts of cfm Distributors is elected chairwoman of HARDI’s board as the association looks ahead to 2026.

2026 Distribution Trends Roundtable

Distribution pros look at the HVACR year that was, and what they see ahead

Matt Jachman

January 20, 2026

Distribution experts talk tariffs, the A2L transition, the uses of AI, and more.

Guest Column

A Field Report From the Heat Pump Front Lines

What the Heat Pump Summit revealed about the future of applied HVAC knowledge

Nate Adams

January 4, 2026

From surge protection to selling heat pumps without site visits, Nate The House Whisperer shares what he learned from contractors applying hard-won HVAC knowledge where it matters most — on real jobs.

Carrier Advances Rooftop Heat Pump Technology with Commercial Field Trials

The ACHR NEWS Editorial Staff

December 28, 2025

Carrier’s new 10-14-ton rooftop heat pump unit has been installed at a large national retailer in upstate New York as part of ongoing field trials.

FYI: News Briefs in HVAC - January 19, 2026

January 19, 2026

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

2026 January 19

Cover Story

Old School, New Risks: Why Standing Still Isn’t Safe in HVAC

Electric Heating Surges: What it Means for HVACR Contractors

Feature Articles

7 Predictions for HVAC in 2026

HVAC's Biggest Event Betting On Vegas

AHR Expo Announces 2026 Innovation Awards Winners

Understanding a Defrost Board on a Heat Pump

Smart Thermostats, Smarter Installs: Commissioning Steps That Cut Callbacks

Signs of a Turnaround: What 2026 Holds for the HVAC Construction Market

CO₂ vs. A2Ls in Commercial Refrigeration

Solid Versus Stranded Wire in Refrigeration Systems

Distribution Trends

New Year, New Goals

New Leadership Announced at 2025 HARDI Conference

2026 Distribution Trends Roundtable

Columns

A Field Report From the Heat Pump Front Lines

Newsline

Carrier Advances Rooftop Heat Pump Technology with Commercial Field Trials

FYI

FYI: News Briefs in HVAC - January 19, 2026

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