Standards and Legislation

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

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 13:00:00 -0400

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

PFAS Rules and A2L Building Codes Continue to Evolve

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400

HVACR industry faces growing complexity from state-level PFAS regulations and evolving A2L building codes, requiring manufacturers and contractors to stay alert and engaged.

California Revisits HVACR Sales Reporting

Wed, 27 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

California regulators are exploring HVACR equipment sales tracking to boost permit compliance, but industry groups warn the proposal could create costly, burdensome reporting requirements.

EPA Removes R-410A Installation Deadline

Thu, 21 May 2026 15:00:00 -0400

EPA finalized revisions to the TT Rule, easing several refrigerant deadlines and expanding compliance flexibility for several HVACR sectors.

Refrigerant Regulations Remain a Moving Target

Fri, 08 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

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

HUD Rescinds Energy Code Rule Impacting HVAC Systems, Home Costs

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Tue, 05 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Rescinding federal energy code requirements could cut $20,000 to $31,000 from new home costs while reshaping HVAC system choices.

DOJ Backs Challenge to DOE Rule Impacting Gas Furnaces and Water Heaters

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Mon, 04 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

A Supreme Court case could determine whether certain gas appliances remain available, with implications for millions of homes and HVAC installations.

Update: 21 States, Other Prominent Parties, File SCOTUS Briefs in ‘Choice Refrigerants’ Case

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:00:00 -0400

More organizations have piled on, asking the Supreme Court to take a look at a case that could limit how much power Congress can delegate to the EPA.

Bill to Limit PFAS Use Re-introduced in Washington

mattjachman@achrnews.com (Matt Jachman) — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400

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

Department of Justice Sues New Jersey Township Over Gas Ban

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

The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Morris Township, New Jersey, over an ordinance requiring certain new buildings to be all-electric.

DOL Issues Proposed Rule for Independent Contractor Classification

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400

The Department of Labor seeks to rescind a 2024 final rule addressing the classification of independent contractors and replace it with a rule like the one adopted in 2021.

HVAC Trends: Tariffs, Incentives, Standards and Regulations — Oh My!

bellolih@bnpmedia.com (Hannah Belloli-Oster) — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Dennis Stinson, senior vice president of sales at Fujitsu General HVAC solutions of America, discusses how import tariffs and global supply shifts still influence product sourcing and competitive dynamics in the HVACR market today.

White House AI Framework Could Boost HVAC Demand as Data Center Growth Accelerates

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 15:00:00 -0400

The White House issued policy recommendations to Congress on artificial intelligence, including suggestions that could support the HVAC industry’s role in data centers.

HARDI Warns of Refrigerant Supply Disruptions in New York

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 13:30:00 -0400

New York’s refrigerant rules may cause supply shortages, raising costs for consumers and businesses, as industry groups push for regulatory alignment with federal standards to avoid disruptions.

Department of Energy to Take Over Energy Star from EPA

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 13:00:00 -0400

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.

From HVAC Contractor to Senator to Secretary of Homeland Security

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 17:00:00 -0400

An HVAC contractor turned U.S. senator could soon be heading the Department of Homeland Security.

Supreme Court Petition Challenges EPA Authority Under AIM Act

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 14:00:00 -0400

A petition filed on behalf of Choice Refrigerants asks the Supreme Court to reconsider a D.C. Circuit ruling that upheld the EPA’s implementation of the HFC phasedown program.

HVACR’s State Political Landscape

mattjachman@achrnews.com (Matt Jachman) — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0400

HARDI’s director of state government affairs outlined a few key political issues distributors face, including PFAS and refrigerant restrictions and limits on energy choice.

From HVAC Contractor to DHS Nominee: Markwayne Mullin Tapped for Homeland Security Position

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Sen. Markwayne Mullin, a former plumbing and HVAC contractor, has been nominated by President Trump to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security.

Heat Pump Rebates Could Get the Axe

bellolih@bnpmedia.com (Hannah Belloli-Oster) — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 17:00:00 -0400

Whether due to sustainability goals or rising energy costs — electrification laws are gaining momentum across the country.

Electrification Laws Are Changing the HVAC Playbook

bellolih@bnpmedia.com (Hannah Belloli-Oster) — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 15:00:00 -0500

Whether due to sustainability goals or rising energy costs — electrification laws are gaining momentum across the country.

Energy Star Receives $33M in Funding Through 2026

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 13:00:00 -0500

The Energy Star program received a bump in funding for 2026, a reversal from the administration’s previous position of seeking to eliminate it.

House Vote Puts Heat Pump Rebates in Jeopardy

mattjachman@achrnews.com (Matt Jachman) — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 21:30:00 -0500

One measure approved by the House would revise the rules for setting energy efficiency standards for appliances, and the other would repeal the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) program, which provides low- and moderate-income homeowners with rebates for installing heat pumps and other qualifying electrical equipment.

Oregon Requiring Heat Pumps on New Homes

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 13:00:00 -0500

New homes in Oregon will be built using heat pumps instead of ducted a/c, a move that might be replicated in other states.

Supreme Court Limits Trump’s Tariff Powers in 6-3 Decision

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 14:36:17 -0500

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Friday that President Donald Trump does not have unilateral authority to impose tariffs, though it's unclear whether this will relieve pain points the HVAC industry has faced due to rising costs.

Airborne Act Reintroduced

mattjachman@achrnews.com (Matt Jachman) — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 13:25:27 -0500

Two House members, a Democrat and a Republican, revived a bill that was also considered in previous sessions.

Electrification Laws Gain Momentum, Forcing HVAC Contractors to Adapt

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 13:00:00 -0500

From equipment restrictions to incentive-driven transitions, state electrification efforts are influencing how contractors sell, install, and plan for the future.

New Year, New Refrigerant Rules, No Grace Period

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 07:00:00 -0500

As industry debates the Technology Transitions rule, EPA’s ER&R rule is already in effect, imposing new leak repair, reclamation, reporting, and automatic leak detection requirements under the AIM Act.

Washington Supreme Court Weighs Future of Natural Gas Access

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 07:00:00 -0500

The Washington Supreme Court is reviewing Initiative 2066, a voter-approved measure that could shape natural gas access, electrification policy, and HVAC contractor options.

Political Insights at HARDI Conference

mattjachman@achrnews.com (Matt Jachman) — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 07:00:00 -0500

A panel representing four major manufacturers discussed political and regulatory issues in front of HVACR distributors during the recent HARDI conference in Las Vegas.