Food Retail's Next Build: Smarter Energy, Sharper Compliance

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400

From refrigerant compliance to AI and energy resilience, FMI's E+SD Conference will help grocery retailers navigate today's biggest store development challenges.

1973: Arab Oil Embargo Popularizes Programmable Thermostats

mariataylor@achrnews.com (Maria Taylor) — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 17:16:34 -0400

When the oil shock quadrupled petroleum prices, President Nixon asked Americans to lower their thermostats by 6°F.

EPA Faces New Lawsuits Over HFC Refrigerant Rule Rollback

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Attorneys general from multiple states and the Natural Resources Defense Council filed lawsuits challenging the EPA’s Technology Transitions Reconsideration Rule issued last May.

Could Your Next HVAC Technician Come From Prison?

bellolih@bnpmedia.com (Hannah Belloli-Oster) — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400

As contractors struggle to find skilled labor, one prison-based HVACR program is turning inmates into technicians. The results include industry credentials, college degrees, and success stories that continue long after release.

Georgia Law a ‘Huge Win’ for Licensed Trades Workers

mattjachman@achrnews.com (Matt Jachman) — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 14:30:00 -0400

Georgia contractors were already required to be licensed, but unlicensed people in the trades have recently been using cheap, duplicitous advertising.

Beyond Technical Know-How, Dual Fuel Starts with the Customer

sloned@achrnews.com (Dana Slone) — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Dual-fuel systems can deliver comfort, efficiency, and lower operating costs—but only if they're installed correctly. Contractors explain why sizing, controls, commissioning, and homeowner education determine long-term success.

Report: Only 6 Hours in an HVAC Tech’s Day are Billable

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 08:30:00 -0400

According to a new report from Field Promax, only 65% of a technician’s 8.8-hour day is billable. Find out more about the report’s findings and what HVAC contractors can do to optimize operations to increase those billable hours.

What HVAC Contractors Need to Know About the Future of Technician Training

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Trane Technologies' leadership discusses how training has evolved for HVAC technicians and how the industry can address the workforce shortage and skills gaps.

HVAC Technician Threatened by Armed Customer: Safety Lessons for Contractors

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Recent reports of gun violence against home service technicians are a stark reminder to train employees on safety and de-escalation.

When AI Recommends Your HVAC Business

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Discover how zero-click searches are reshaping the way homeowners find HVAC contractors—and why traditional marketing metrics may no longer tell the whole story.

Stop Fishing in the Same Pond: Cross-State Hiring for HVAC Contractors

Sat, 18 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400

As the labor shortage persists, HVAC companies are finding new ways to recruit techs

1976: Legionella Rears Its Ugly Head

mariataylor@achrnews.com (Maria Taylor) — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 13:00:00 -0400

Americans panicked as American Legion members fell ill and died from a mysterious new disease they caught at the Bellevue-Stratford hotel in Philadelphia.

Amended Complaint Filed in HVAC Price-Fixing Lawsuit

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400

A consolidated amended complaint to the HVAC price-fixing lawsuit adds new allegations as plaintiffs continue challenging manufacturers' equipment pricing practices.

HVAC Trade Groups Back Bill to Change Regional Efficiency Compliance

sloned@achrnews.com (Dana Slone) — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Trade groups said the legislation would reduce confusion and ease compliance burdens for manufacturers, distributors, and contractors.

Mike Rowe Awards $3 Million in Skilled Trades Scholarships as HVAC Labor Shortage Continues

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:00:00 -0400

Television host Mike Rowe of “Dirty Jobs” announced $3 million in skilled-trades scholarships as the Department of War donates $10 million to the effort.

Refrigerant Leaks at Startup: Identifying and Preventing Common Issues

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Leaks may not cause sudden failure in a system, but they can lead to poor system performance and damage. HVACR experts share what you need to know.

Electric Heating Gains Momentum in New Homes

mattjachman@achrnews.com (Matt Jachman) — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 15:00:00 -0400

Electric heating reached its highest-ever share of the U.S. new housing market in 2024, the Building Decarbonization Coalition report said, as 61% of the units completed that year were outfitted with some type of electric system, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How DOE's $8.8B Rebate Programs Help HVAC

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 14:00:00 -0400

The Department of Energy’s HOMES and HEEHR programs offer rebates for HVAC equipment upgrades and installs. Find out more about how these programs can boost business for HVAC contractors.

Silicon Valley’s Bet on the Trades Could Be Good for HVACR

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400

HVACR offers solid pay and growing interest, but attracting and retaining younger techs may require higher compensation that reflects the technical, regulatory, and problem-solving demands of the job.

Why Deep Evacuation Is Not a Checkbox. It is System Protection

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 13:00:14 -0400

In an industry focused on smarter controls, higher efficiency ratings, and ever-evolving refrigerants, one of the most critical steps in system installation has not changed: evacuation.

Seven Business Trends Reshaping Home Service Contractors

sloned@achrnews.com (Dana Slone) — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400

The report suggests the biggest competitive advantages in 2026 will come from operational discipline, recurring revenue strategies, and company culture.

Heat Pumps Remain HVAC’s Growth Story in Latest AHRI Shipment Data

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0400

May shipment data show contractors can expect cooling equipment, including heat pumps, to be primary drivers while water heaters remain soft.

Performance Drift: The Hidden Efficiency Problem Raising HVACR Costs

sloned@achrnews.com (Dana Slone) — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400

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.

Is TV Advertising Finally Worth It for HVAC Contractors?

Sun, 12 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400

With TV Advertising, here's how to measure what matters and determine whether a campaign is driving real business results.

Why Oversized HVAC Systems Undermine Electrification Goals

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400

As electrification continues to evolve, attention to system sizing remains an important component of performance-focused HVAC design.

How Smart Contractors Turn Data Into Dollars

mattjachman@achrnews.com (Matt Jachman) — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400

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.

'It Doesn't Seem Like Much Is the Same Except That It's Still HVAC'

mariataylor@achrnews.com (Maria Taylor) — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 17:00:00 -0400

Stan Johnson remembers when engineers sought out his family's company because they had something few HVAC contractors did: a homemade vacuum pump.

A2Ls Gain Momentum in Supermarket Refrigeration

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 13:00:00 -0400

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

Can Geothermal Technology Decarbonize Data Centers?

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400

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.

Can HVAC Train Enough Technicians for the Data Center Boom?

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 13:00:00 -0400

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

Featured Stories