Have Heat Pumps Had It? 1960s Series Questioned the Equipment’s Future

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 10:00:00 -0400

In the 1960s, engineers and contractors clashed over the role heat pumps played in the HVAC industry, lending credence to the saying that history doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.

Customer Service Is Not Dead: How an R.E. Michel Sales Representative Saved the Day

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

With drywall crews scheduled and a tight deadline looming, a missing 200 feet of PEX tubing could have derailed a major project.

HVACR Trade Groups Challenge EPA Refrigerant Rule in Federal Court

sloned@achrnews.com (Dana Slone) — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 17:48:17 -0400

HARDI: Deviating from original compliance deadlines is “legally flawed, economically reckless.”

How the Bipartisan Housing Affordability Bill Impacts the HVAC Industry

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 13:00:00 -0400

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

DOE Updates $8.8B Home Energy Rebate Program Guidance

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400

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

The HVAC Technician’s Introduction to Air Cleaning Technology

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Properly selected and maintained furnace filters can help reduce airborne pollutants and support healthier indoor environments.

When Refrigerants Change, So Do the Contactors

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Refrigerant choice and electrical design are no longer separate decisions, as A2L systems bring new requirements for ignition protection and compliance.

ACCA Leadership Shakeup: Barton James Out, Hoover Named Interim CEO

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 17:20:03 -0400

ACCA Board said the leadership transition reflects a "responsibility to position ACCA for its next stage of service, growth, and industry impact."

A2L Refrigerant Transition Raises New Compliance Questions

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 07:00:04 -0400

With the A2L transition underway, the ICC explains what contractors need to know about codes, labeling, and refrigerant issues.

Section 232 Tariffs Lowered for HVAC Components

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 10:00:00 -0400

President Trump lowered Section 232 tariff rates for certain HVAC components, providing what some estimates show as billions of dollars in savings for consumers.

4 Myths About Getting Into HVAC

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

The biggest challenges in HVAC aren't always technical. Here's a look at 4 myths that can affect confidence, career decisions, and day-to-day life in the trade.

Heat Pump Hype to Hands-On Reality: The HVAC Skills Gap Contractors Can’t Ignore

Sun, 21 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

As heat pumps and other advanced systems become more common, the gap between what’s possible and what’s practical will depend largely on workforce readiness.

The Hidden Cost of Skipping Commissioning

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

The real cost of skipping commissioning isn't the price of a service call — it's the cumulative drag on building performance over the years.

Platinum Equity to Sell Heat Controller to Lennox

sloned@achrnews.com (Dana Slone) — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 11:30:25 -0400

The transaction brings two established brands under the Lennox umbrella and continues the manufacturer’s effort to expand its equipment, parts, and supply offerings.

A2L Mitigation for Refrigeration Systems

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

As A2L refrigerants enter commercial refrigeration, charge limits are driving new requirements for leak detection, system isolation, and ventilation in confined spaces.

When All-Electric Homes Came With a Guarantee

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

A 1967 ACHR NEWS article shows how one utility promoted electric heat with a full-scale campaign aimed at homeowners, contractors, and commercial buildings.

Wastewater Heat Fuels Interest in Thermal Energy Networks

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

Wastewater heat recovery and thermal energy networks are starting to push HVAC work outside the building and into district-scale systems

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

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 13:00:00 -0400

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.

The Emotional Roller Coaster That Is Selling An HVAC Company

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 12:30:00 -0400

Matt Michel breaks down why business owners should prepare for more than just the financial side of selling a company.

SCOTUS Declines To Hear Chinese Tariffs Case

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 10:30:00 -0400

The Supreme Court’s refusal to hear a challenge to Section 301 tariffs leaves Chinese import duties in place and HVACR supply-chain costs under continued pressure.

Report: Only 65% of HVAC Technician Time is Billable Hours

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

A new report from Field Promax indicates that about three hours per day of a technician’s paid time aren’t being optimized.

EPA Final Rule’s Impact on R-410A Deadlines

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 15:20:00 -0400

EPA officials say changes to the 2023 Technology Transition Rule help unburden businesses, but HVAC industry associations say the rule will impact refrigerant demand and food retailer transitions to lower-GWP refrigeration systems.

April HVAC Shipments Show Cooling Rebound Among Soft Market

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400

The latest AHRI shipment data shows growth in cooling equipment like heat pumps and a/c in April, though the industry is still struggling with price increases.

Predicting the Next Service Call

sloned@achrnews.com (Dana Slone) — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Connected HVAC systems and AI-driven diagnostics are helping contractors shift from reactive repairs to predictive maintenance.

Scaling Service in a Technician Shortage

Sun, 14 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Only about 20% of homeowners enroll in maintenance plans, but contractors who scale memberships with connected systems are turning retention into higher productivity and stronger valuations.

The Hidden Threat to Your HVAC Business: Is Your Subcontractor Supply Chain Safe?

Sat, 13 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

With strict new EPA rules around the low-GWP transition, a single subcontractor’s expired certification or missing insurance form can trigger heavy fines or halt a job entirely.

Google Announces $50M Commitment to Supporting Skilled Trades

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Google is committing $50 million to help develop training programs across the country to meet the demand for skilled trades workers in HVAC and other sectors.

HVAC Industry Warns of Counterfeit Refrigerants Entering U.S. Supply Chain

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

HVAC contractors and distributors need to be wary of refrigerants that are packaged to imitate trusted brands but contain illegal contents.

The Commercial Niche: Where Heat Pumps Excelled in 1960

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:00:00 -0400

In 1960, a Phoenix factory used 140 tons of refrigeration to show how all-electric systems could make sense in the right commercial application.

HVAC Manufacturers Respond to Growing Data Center Backlash

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

As communities push back against data center development, HVAC is positioning itself as part of the solution, not the problem.

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