2026 July 13

This issue of The ACHR NEWS looks at performance drift and what it does to efficiency, what impact the Housing Affordability Bill will have on the industry, Silicon Valley’s bet on the trades, how geothermal can decarbonize data centers, how contractors can turn data into dollars, DOE updates guidance on Home Energy Rebate program, survey shows homeowners skipping dining out to pay a/c bills, refrigerant leaks at startup and how to prevent them, the data center labor bottleneck, AI and the skilled labor gap, A2Ls in the supermarket space, how HFC relief could lead to shortages, a look at new products, and the latest from SNIPS News.

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Performance Drift: The Hidden Efficiency Problem Raising HVACR Costs

Small adjustments can create big energy and maintenance inefficiencies over time

Dana Slone

July 13, 2026

HVAC experts say addressing performance drift can be tricky since it isn’t apparent. Learn the signs and how to stop small issues from becoming larger ones.

How the Bipartisan Housing Affordability Bill Impacts the HVAC Industry

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act could expedite HVAC projects if enacted

Chris Gray

June 25, 2026

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act has nearly 50 provisions aimed at making housing more affordable and available, which could boost HVAC business.

Can Geothermal Technology Decarbonize Data Centers?

Industry experts examine geothermal energy and its applications for data centers

Chris Gray

July 9, 2026

Geothermal technology could become an important tool for reducing data center energy use, but HVAC contractors need more than enthusiasm to take advantage of this opportunity.

How Smart Contractors Turn Data Into Dollars

The best business decisions start with the right data, not more data

Matt Jachman

July 10, 2026

Every HVAC business is generating valuable data. Experts explain which numbers matter most, and how contractors can use them to boost efficiency, profitability, and growth.

DOE Updates $8.8B Home Energy Rebate Program Guidance

HOMES and HEEHR programs provide homeowners with rebates for HVAC upgrades

Chris Gray

June 25, 2026

The HOMES and HEEHR rebate programs open opportunities for HVAC contractors to provide energy efficiency upgrades to homeowners.

Survey: Homeowners are Ready To Skip Dining Out To Pay for Summer A/C Bills

More than three-quarters of surveyed homeowners said energy bills are causing financial stress, while many are delaying repairs or avoiding a/c use

Dylan Kurt

July 6, 2026

A new survey of 1,000 homeowners by SupplyHouse shows more are avoiding calling an HVAC pro because they’re afraid of the costs

Can HVAC Train Enough Technicians for the Data Center Boom?

Survey shows more young people see skilled trades as viable career

Chris Gray

July 8, 2026

As AI pushes the next generation toward the skilled trades, the HVAC industry might hit a bottleneck in meeting data center labor demands.

How HVAC Contractors Can Solve Labor Woes in the Age of AI

HVAC offers stability to 52% of U.S. workers worried about AI’s impact

Chris Gray

May 11, 2026

HVAC may be safe from AI, but the industry’s labor challenges persist. A report from Randstad offers solutions to overcome the skilled labor gap.

FROSTlines

A2Ls Gain Momentum in Supermarket Refrigeration

Food retailers are searching for lower-GWP solutions that are similar to their current systems

Joanna R. Turpin

July 9, 2026

As food retailers search for lower-GWP refrigeration options, A2Ls are gaining momentum as a practical alternative to traditional HFC systems.

Contractor Bets on a Tertiary Market, Wins Big with New Mattoon Rural King HQ

Full mechanical contractor Davis-Houk Mechanical is hard at work on Rural King’s new $75 million Store Support Center

Austin Keating

June 16, 2026

Davis-Houk Mechanical, a union shop rooted in Coles County, has landed the full design-build contract for the retailer’s new three-building Store Support Center, now under construction and slated for completion by 2028.

Trump Taps Keith Sonderling as Labor Secretary, Signaling Shift on Workforce Priorities

Acting head of both the Office of Ethics and Department of Labor, Sonderling nominated to be permanent DOL head

Austin Keating

July 1, 2026

President Trump has nominated acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling to the full-time post, as the Labor Department faces budget cuts, workforce challenges, and heightened scrutiny in the Senate.

Competing Political Pitches to the HVAC Industry

DNC, NRCC share their midterm strategies with HVAC leaders; Plus, retiring Nebraska House Rep. Don Bacon shares parting words with industry

Austin Keating

May 28, 2026

Democrats and Republicans deliver contrasting strategies for winning midterms, while Rep. Don Bacon’s delivers a fond farewell to the sheet metal industry as he prepares to enter retirement.

Federal Court Rolls Back Key Davis‑Bacon Expansion, Drawing New Lines Around Construction Work

Court vacates expansions of Davis‑Bacon prevailing wage rules for truck drivers, material suppliers, and retroactive contract coverage

Austin Keating

June 25, 2026

A June 2026 federal ruling struck down parts of the Labor Department’s 2023 Davis‑Bacon overhaul, limiting wage protections to traditional construction roles and excluding broader supply chain workers.

Heather Rodehaver Receives Bill Bradford, Jr. Service Award at SPIDA Annual Meeting

Director of sales and marketing at The Cincinnatus Group wins top honor

Austin Keating

June 17, 2026

Heather Rodehaver is the director of sales and marketing at The Cincinnatus Group, where her leadership, work ethic, and commitment to service have made her an indispensable part of the sheet metal industry.

How to Solve the Toughest Challenges in Commercial HVAC Retrofits

Real-world solutions for contractors facing complex retrofits and adaptive reuse projects

Austin Keating

June 26, 2026

National sales manager Ryne Sullivan shares practical strategies for overcoming common obstacles in commercial HVAC retrofit projects, from duct leakage to tight construction schedules.

Guest Column

Could Today's HFC Relief Lead to Tomorrow's Refrigerant Shortages?

New Technology Transitions Rule delays compliance, extends HFC usage, and complicates the refrigerant landscape

Jennifer Butsch

June 2, 2026

Short-term relief or long-term disruption? Revised EPA refrigerant ruling introduces potential challenges for HVACR equipment supply chain.

Daikin Applied Minnesota groundbreaking 2026

Daikin Applied Breaks Ground for New Training Center

The ACHR NEWS Editorial Staff

June 18, 2026

With the goal of providing an immersive learning environment that goes beyond traditional classroom instruction, the Institute is expected to open in 2027.

Jetson Bringing Home Electrification Service to California

The ACHR NEWS Editorial Staff

June 11, 2026

Jetson’ expansion into California follows the company’s recent launch in New York and builds on its presence in Colorado; Vancouver, British Columbia; and Massachusetts.

IEC Debuts Modular AHU for Commercial Applications

The ACHR NEWS Editorial Staff

June 26, 2026

With airflow capacities ranging from 3,000 to 10,000 cfm and the ability to overcome up to six inches of total static pressure, the AHY is built to support demanding commercial HVAC environments.

New NAVAC Kit is a Suite of Smart Diagnostic Tools

The ACHR NEWS Editorial Staff

June 22, 2026

The SK4TPHM1 kit has an onboard screen that gives technicians immediate access to critical system readings in the field without relying solely on a mobile 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 session, we will cover how to design VRF systems for the U.S. market using new A2L refrigerants. These systems provide an advanced zoning solution by using inverter technology to deliver precise heating and cooling control across multiple zones and spaces.

ACHR NEWS

Cover Story

Performance Drift: The Hidden Efficiency Problem Raising HVACR Costs

How the Bipartisan Housing Affordability Bill Impacts the HVAC Industry

Feature Articles

Can Geothermal Technology Decarbonize Data Centers?

How Smart Contractors Turn Data Into Dollars

DOE Updates $8.8B Home Energy Rebate Program Guidance

Survey: Homeowners are Ready To Skip Dining Out To Pay for Summer A/C Bills

Can HVAC Train Enough Technicians for the Data Center Boom?

How HVAC Contractors Can Solve Labor Woes in the Age of AI

A2Ls Gain Momentum in Supermarket Refrigeration

SNIPS NEWS

Contractor Bets on a Tertiary Market, Wins Big with New Mattoon Rural King HQ

Trump Taps Keith Sonderling as Labor Secretary, Signaling Shift on Workforce Priorities

Competing Political Pitches to the HVAC Industry

Federal Court Rolls Back Key Davis‑Bacon Expansion, Drawing New Lines Around Construction Work

Heather Rodehaver Receives Bill Bradford, Jr. Service Award at SPIDA Annual Meeting

How to Solve the Toughest Challenges in Commercial HVAC Retrofits

Columns

Could Today's HFC Relief Lead to Tomorrow's Refrigerant Shortages?

Newsline

Daikin Applied Breaks Ground for New Training Center

Jetson Bringing Home Electrification Service to California

New HVAC Products

IEC Debuts Modular AHU for Commercial Applications

New NAVAC Kit is a Suite of Smart Diagnostic Tools

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