April 20 2026 Issue

This issue of The ACHR NEWS looks at how the conflict in Iran is affecting aluminum prices and equipment costs, a lawsuit alleging OEM coordination behind price increases and how contractors are caught in the middle, pros and cons of electric work vans, eliminating callbacks for heat pump installs, navigating ownership transitions, more refrigerant changes on the horizon, load calculations and software gaining popularity, five tips for adding a chatbot, technician’s guide to humidity, trust in smart devices down but adoption is up, Energy Star funded, headed to DOE, transition to next-gen refrigeration, tips for troubleshooting R-290, growth story from $700k to $7 million, and new products.

Check back throughout the week for additional content.

War-Driven Aluminum Price Increases Add Pressure to HVAC Costs and Labor

Conflict in the Middle East affecting fuel, inflation, and labor

Chris Gray

April 2, 2026

A surge in aluminum prices tied to the Middle East conflict is adding new pressure to HVAC equipment and project costs. Combined with rising fuel prices, tariffs, and slowing construction activity, contractors could face tighter margins and increased project uncertainty.

Lawsuit Alleges OEM Coordination Behind HVAC Price Increases

Class action suit claims major manufacturers coordinated increases since 2020

Joanna R. Turpin

March 26, 2026

Class-action lawsuit alleges major HVAC manufacturers coordinated pricing since 2020, in order to drive up the costs of equipment.

The HVAC Contractor’s Role in a Pricing Lawsuit They Didn’t Start

The lawsuit isn’t yours, but the customer calls will be.

Maria Taylor

April 9, 2026

Homeowners don’t separate manufacturer pricing from contractor work — they just know what they paid and who installed it.

The Pros and Cons of Electric Work Vans for HVAC Contractors

How to determine if a fleet of EVs is right for you

Chris Gray

April 13, 2026

Contractors debating whether to go electric for their work trucks have more than higher electric bills and reduced maintenance to consider.

Eliminating Heat Pump Callbacks Before They Start

Proper sizing, airflow verification, refrigerant charge, and switchover settings can make the difference

Dylan Kurt

April 14, 2026

Most callbacks can be avoided when contractors treat heat pump design, installation, and commissioning as a full-system process.

How Contractors Are Weighing Ownership Decisions

Timing, culture, and long-term vision are shaping ownership paths

Hannah Belloli-Oster

April 7, 2026

More HVACR contractors are facing pivotal ownership decisions — whether to sell, restructure, or remain independent. Industry voices share what these transitions really look like, what often goes wrong, and how owners are weighing speed, control, liquidity, and legacy.

No New Refrigerant Transition — But Challenges Persist

Affordability and state-level mandates emerge as HVAC industry’s next concerns

Joanna R. Turpin

March 30, 2026

Industry leaders say no new refrigerant transition is imminent, but state mandates and affordability pressures threaten the HVACR industry’s “hopeful calm.”

Software Rules in HVAC Load Calculations

65% of contractors who do load calculations report using software tools

Matt Jachman

April 13, 2026

Load calculations, and using software to do them, are key traits of the contractor of the future, according to a new ACCA report.

Five Tips For HVAC Contractors Thinking about Adding Chatbots

Dylan Kurt

April 15, 2026

One of AI's biggest benefits? Answering the simple questions from customers. But there are a few caveats contractors should consider before launching something like this.

Guest Column

An HVAC Technician’s Guide to Humidity

How humidity, dew point, and air temperature interact to create — or prevent — moisture problems

Lianna Schwalenberg

April 20, 2026

Moisture problems show up everywhere in HVAC systems. Knowing how humidity behaves in air can make troubleshooting condensation and comfort issues far easier.

Study: Trust in Smart HVAC Devices Declines Despite Steady Adoption

Homeowners increasingly worried about hacking, privacy, and utility company control over devices

Dylan Kurt

March 9, 2026

Nearly 70% of homeowners say they would replace their thermostat for a more secure option, signaling a sharp shift in consumer confidence.

Department of Energy to Take Over Energy Star from EPA

Transfer could cause short-term delays and funding questions

Chris Gray

March 18, 2026

DOE is taking over the ENERGY STAR program, a move that could change how efficiency tiers align with federal standards and how quickly HVAC equipment certifications are updated.

FROSTlines

Expanding Options for Lower-GWP Refrigeration

Advancements in sustainable refrigerant technologies are well underway

Jeff Lichty

April 16, 2026

The shift to lower-GWP refrigerants in commercial refrigeration is accelerating, with food retailers adopting diverse options including R-290, A2L systems, and CO₂ solutions for various store formats.

FROSTlines

Service Tips for R-290 Refrigeration Equipment

Different techniques are required when repairing these systems

Joe Marchese

April 14, 2026

R-290 isn’t hard to handle — but it does require a different mindset. The key to working safely? Understanding what’s different and adjusting accordingly.

Guest Column

From $700K to $7 Million: How Roy White Built a Servant-Led HVAC Company That Scales Without Breaking Culture

Humility, personal growth, and people-first leadership became the real growth engine at Fixed Right and Guaranteed

Roy White

Chris Lollini

March 14, 2026

Roy White’s leadership approach helped guide Fixed Right and Guaranteed from a fragile $700,000 business to $7.3 million in revenue.

BlackRock Launches $100M Skilled Trades Initiative

The ACHR NEWS Editorial Staff

April 5, 2026

In the first phase, BlackRock’s Future Builders initiative will deploy $100 million in grant capital to nonprofit and workforce development partners across multiple states over the next five years, reaching 50,000 workers.

Home Depot Subsidiary to Acquire Mingledorff's

March 24, 2026

The move is part of The Home Depot’s plans for expanding its offerings for professional trades customers.

FYI: News Briefs in HVAC - April 20, 2026

April 21, 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.

Systemair Introduces Topvex SR and TR Air Handling Units for High-Performance Buildings

The ACHR NEWS Editorial Staff

April 8, 2026

Topvex SR and TR are built for teams that need dependable, efficient ventilation solutions backed by global engineering expertise.

Fieldpiece Launches New Analog Gauge Sets for HVACR Professionals

The ACHR NEWS Editorial Staff

April 22, 2026

The analog gauge sets are built for HVACR system diagnostics, refrigerant recovery, pressure testing, and charging.

Navien NAA Variable Capacity Air Conditioner

Navien Expands HVAC Portfolio with Launch of NAA Variable-Capacity Air Conditioner

The ACHR NEWS Editorial Staff

April 10, 2026

Designed for versatility, the NAA Series covers applications from 1.5 to 5 tons with just two outdoor unit platforms, reducing SKU complexity and inventory requirements for distributors and contractors.

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'll outline how top contractors are turning every conversation into predictable revenue by coaching every comfort advisor visit, not just the ones a manager rides along on.

ACHR NEWS

2026 April 20

Cover Story

War-Driven Aluminum Price Increases Add Pressure to HVAC Costs and Labor

Lawsuit Alleges OEM Coordination Behind HVAC Price Increases

Feature Articles

The HVAC Contractor’s Role in a Pricing Lawsuit They Didn’t Start

The Pros and Cons of Electric Work Vans for HVAC Contractors

Eliminating Heat Pump Callbacks Before They Start

How Contractors Are Weighing Ownership Decisions

No New Refrigerant Transition — But Challenges Persist

Software Rules in HVAC Load Calculations

Five Tips For HVAC Contractors Thinking about Adding Chatbots

An HVAC Technician’s Guide to Humidity

Study: Trust in Smart HVAC Devices Declines Despite Steady Adoption

Department of Energy to Take Over Energy Star from EPA

Expanding Options for Lower-GWP Refrigeration

Service Tips for R-290 Refrigeration Equipment

Columns

From $700K to $7 Million: How Roy White Built a Servant-Led HVAC Company That Scales Without Breaking Culture

Newsline

BlackRock Launches $100M Skilled Trades Initiative

Home Depot Subsidiary to Acquire Mingledorff's

FYI

FYI: News Briefs in HVAC - April 20, 2026

New HVAC Products

Systemair Introduces Topvex SR and TR Air Handling Units for High-Performance Buildings

Fieldpiece Launches New Analog Gauge Sets for HVACR Professionals

Navien Expands HVAC Portfolio with Launch of NAA Variable-Capacity Air Conditioner

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