May 4 2026 Issue | ACHR News

In this issue of The ACHR NEWS, industry leaders postulate on why high equipment prices are here to stay, six myths pros still hear every day, how high prices are fueling disruption, AI-driven growth in refrigerants and thermal design, financial sense and compressor swaps, contractors who have successfully adopted AI, new PFAS legislation, A/C now 14% of average energy bill, “snowbird” HVAC strategies, seismic 2030 labor shortage looming, online scammers extorting contractors, refrigerant regulations a moving target, the gap between 4x and 10x a business, a look at new products, and the latest from SNIPS NEWS.

Check back throughout the week for additional content.

5 Reasons Why High HVAC Equipment Prices Are Here to Stay

A perfect storm of regulatory changes and market pressures will keep prices elevated

Joanna R. Turpin

April 8, 2026

HVAC prices have surged — and aren’t likely to fall. Behind the increase are sweeping regulations, new technology, and shifting market forces that are reshaping how homeowners decide whether to repair or replace their equipment.

Myths vs. Facts: Residential HVAC Edition

Armed with information, contractors can overcome preconceived notions about HVAC

Matt Jachman

April 20, 2026

Homeowners are sometimes misled by common myths about heating and cooling equipment, but contractors have techniques for battling misinformation.

High HVAC Prices Are Inviting New Competition

Several lower-cost systems are emerging to challenge the industry’s traditional model

Joanna R. Turpin

May 6, 2026

New HVAC manufacturers are focusing on reducing installation time and costs through simpler systems, offering more affordable alternatives to traditional, labor-intensive equipment.

The Next Era of Data Center Cooling

AI is driving growth and accelerating changes in refrigerants and thermal design

Joanna R. Turpin

May 7, 2026

AI-driven data center growth is reshaping cooling strategies, driving adoption of lower-GWP refrigerants as manufacturers develop solutions that balance efficiency, sustainability, and reliability.

When Does a Compressor Swap Still Make Sense?

Rising equipment costs and refrigerant changes are forcing contractors to rethink repair vs. replace decisions

Hannah Belloli-Oster

May 7, 2026

Rising equipment costs, refrigerant transitions, and broader economic pressure are forcing contractors and homeowners alike to take a closer look at when a compressor swap still makes sense.

Crawl, Walk, Run: How HVAC Contractors Are Successfully Adopting AI in 2026

Choosing the right digital tools without wasting money

Chris Gray

April 6, 2026

With so many AI platforms on the market, knowing where to start and what delivers ROI can be overwhelming. Industry experts share how contractors are cutting through the noise and seeing measurable gains.

Bill to Limit PFAS Use Re-introduced in Washington

The chemicals are found in many consumer products, including some refrigerants

Matt Jachman

April 10, 2026

The Forever Chemical Regulation and Accountability Act did not advance when it was introduced two years ago, but its sponsors are trying again.

Home A/C Use Climbs, Along With Temperatures

Matt Jachman

April 1, 2026

The most recent Energy Information Administration figures show that 88% of the housing units in the U.S. in 2020 had some form of air-conditioning, up from 85% in 2009.

Serving 'Snowbirds': HVAC Strategies for Vacant Homes

In Southwest Florida, vacant-home HVAC prep has become a valuable shoulder-season service.

Dylan Kurt

April 7, 2026

Jason Schreyer of Sunset Air and Home Services explains how contractors can help seasonal residents protect empty homes from humidity, storms, and system failures.

Big Red Flag: Trades Looking at Seismic Labor Shortage by 2030

In four years, almost 25% of trades positions will be unfilled

Dylan Kurt

March 25, 2026

With nearly 192,000 HVAC jobs projected to go unfilled by 2030, the workforce crisis is accelerating.

Review Scammers Target HVAC Companies with Extortion

Protect your business from fake reviews

Chris Gray

April 21, 2026

Online reviews can make or break an HVAC company, and scammers know it. Learn about their latest tactics and how to counter them.

FROSTlines

Refrigerant Regulations Remain a Moving Target

Experts discuss EPA rulemaking, the A2L transition, and state regulatory actions

Joanna R. Turpin

May 8, 2026

Experts examine EPA rulemaking, the A2L refrigerant transition, and state-level initiatives that are shaping the future of HVACR regulation.

From Prefab to HVAC: The Tennessee Titans’ Stadium

Tennessee Titans’ new stadium is designed to operate year-round with unprecedented hospitality and engineering challenges

Austin Keating

April 30, 2026

The Tennessee Titans’ stadium features oversized HVAC systems, extensive grease ductwork, and unique framing challenges to support continuous operation of kitchens, bars, and outdoor terraces throughout the year.

Historic Tacoma School Goes All-Electric in $7.8M Retrofit, Setting New Standard for Energy Upgrades

Ameresco and Tacoma Public Schools deliver a model for sustainable school retrofits

Austin Keating

April 9, 2026

A century-old Tacoma school has been fully electrified and modernized in a $7.8 million upgrade, balancing historic preservation with cutting-edge energy efficiency.

Rethinking Prefab: Why 90% Efficiency Isn’t Good Enough

A deep dive into how construction's obsession with prefabrication misses the real gains on process

Austin Keating

April 23, 2026

Forget what you’ve heard about prefab being the silver bullet: Tom Santos argues the real gains in construction efficiency come from rethinking the messy, human processes upstream.

Inside the Hill Group’s Sheet Metal Playbook: Data, Tech, and Advice

A look at how The Hill Group is using data and technology to modernize sheet metal operations

Austin Keating

April 23, 2026

At SMACNA Fab Forum, The Hill Group shared how data, technology, and hard-earned lessons are reshaping estimating, fabrication, and field operations.

Hammer-Free Drive Cleat Installation in Light Commercial Ductwork

Hammer-free drive cleat installation offers safe and consistent duct joints, inventor Hiram Rodriguez argues

Hiram Rodriguez

March 23, 2026

A patented system enables safer, more precise drive cleat installation in ductwork without the need for hammering, reducing fatigue and improving alignment in light commercial HVAC projects.

Guest Column

The Gap Between 4.0× and 10.93× Is Not a Size Story

Tim Morgan

May 8, 2026

Higher revenue doesn’t guarantee a higher value. HVAC buyers are prioritizing margin quality, service mix, and risk over sheer size.

F.W. Webb Expands to Somerdale, New Jersey With New Wholesale Store

The ACHR NEWS Editorial Staff

April 9, 2026

Located at 900 Kennedy Boulevard, the 44,000-square-foot facility will serve plumbing, heating, HVACR, and other professionals seeking a convenient source for systems, tools, equipment, parts, and accessories.

Trane Technologies Unveils the World’s Largest HVAC Training Center

The ACHR NEWS Editorial Staff

April 17, 2026

With capacity for up to 4,500 students per year and over 100,000 annual training hours, the ATTC provides immersive, hands‑on experiences that equip technicians with the necessary skills to commission, maintain, repair, and optimize increasingly complex climate control systems.

FYI: News Briefs in HVAC - May 4, 2026

May 4, 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.

Hitachi air365 Max Offers Efficiency and Comfort, Simplifies A2L Compliance

The ACHR NEWS Editorial Staff

April 16, 2026

In commercial buildings with zone-based heating and cooling needs, such as hotels, offices and mixed-use properties, VRF systems can provide as much as 30-45% energy savings compared to traditional ducted systems.

Merino Energy Introduces $3,800 Heat Pump Installed in an Hour or Less

The ACHR NEWS Editorial Staff

April 8, 2026

The Merino Mono is priced at a single, transparent flat rate of $3,800, hardware and professional installation included, with installs completed in under one hour.

Greenheck Updates eCAPS Bridge for Revit

The ACHR NEWS Editorial Staff

April 21, 2026

The time-saving plug-in automates the schedule creation process. Using eCAPS schedules and LOD 300 content that includes electrical and performance data, users can generate multiple product schedules with a single click.

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 May 4

Cover Story

5 Reasons Why High HVAC Equipment Prices Are Here to Stay

Myths vs. Facts: Residential HVAC Edition

Feature Articles

High HVAC Prices Are Inviting New Competition

The Next Era of Data Center Cooling

When Does a Compressor Swap Still Make Sense?

Crawl, Walk, Run: How HVAC Contractors Are Successfully Adopting AI in 2026

Bill to Limit PFAS Use Re-introduced in Washington

Home A/C Use Climbs, Along With Temperatures

Serving 'Snowbirds': HVAC Strategies for Vacant Homes

Big Red Flag: Trades Looking at Seismic Labor Shortage by 2030

Review Scammers Target HVAC Companies with Extortion

Refrigerant Regulations Remain a Moving Target

SNIPS NEWS

From Prefab to HVAC: The Tennessee Titans’ Stadium

Historic Tacoma School Goes All-Electric in $7.8M Retrofit, Setting New Standard for Energy Upgrades

Rethinking Prefab: Why 90% Efficiency Isn’t Good Enough

Inside the Hill Group’s Sheet Metal Playbook: Data, Tech, and Advice

Hammer-Free Drive Cleat Installation in Light Commercial Ductwork

Columns

The Gap Between 4.0× and 10.93× Is Not a Size Story

Newsline

F.W. Webb Expands to Somerdale, New Jersey With New Wholesale Store

Trane Technologies Unveils the World’s Largest HVAC Training Center

FYI

FYI: News Briefs in HVAC - May 4, 2026

New HVAC Products

Hitachi air365 Max Offers Efficiency and Comfort, Simplifies A2L Compliance

Merino Energy Introduces $3,800 Heat Pump Installed in an Hour or Less

Greenheck Updates eCAPS Bridge for Revit

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