HVAC Top Stories

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.

Leak Rules Tighten as Threshold Drops to 15 Pounds

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Federal leak rules now reach smaller systems, while state requirements add complexity — allowing contractors to turn refrigerant management into a revenue-generating service offering.

Report: 50% of Homeowners Avoiding HVAC Maintenance

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 15:00:00 -0400

The 2026 Summer Cooling Report shows 99% of respondents across all income brackets, regions, and generations are altering their cooling and spending habits.

95% Furnace Efficiency Rule to Get New Hearing

mattjachman@achrnews.com (Matt Jachman) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 15:00:00 -0400

HVACR industry groups are pleased with a new Supreme Court decision that requires a lower court to reconsider its decision to uphold mandates that require certain furnaces and water heaters to be at least 95% efficient.

I Touched AI — It Didn’t Bite

mariataylor@achrnews.com (Maria Taylor) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Brainbox, Trane execs say AI isn't replacing techs, it's replacing guesswork

HVAC Workforce Crisis Expands Beyond Technicians to Instructor Shortages

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

A lack of qualified instructors is hindering the HVACR industry’s ability to fill the 40,000 job openings projected annually over the next decade.

Keeping Residential Ductless Systems Clean and Efficient

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 13:00:00 -0400

Self-cleaning ductless systems help reduce buildup, but regular manual cleaning remains essential to maintain efficiency, airflow, and IAQ over time.

Portable A/C Units Enter the Smart HVAC Era

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

A survey of homeowners shows portable a/c adoption on the rise, thanks in part to smart controls and modern innovations providing more connectivity and control.

Missed Calls, Lost Jobs: Why HVAC Companies Are Adopting Voice AI Agents

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

Here’s how to get started with Voice AI, helping your business capture work that could otherwise go to competitors

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

Sat, 06 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.

Survey: HVAC Smart Tech Adoption at 76% with Homeowners

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

HVAC buyers are increasingly favoring heat pumps, smart tech, and IAQ, according to the 2025 American Home Comfort Study.

1960: The $11,950 Heat Pump Home

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400

In 1960, a Clearwater, Florida, builder and HVAC contractor teamed up to offer a heat pump-equipped model home for $11,950 — and buyers responded quickly.

Humidity, Not Heat, Is Driving Transaera’s New Approach to Commercial HVAC

sloned@achrnews.com (Dana Slone) — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Newly deployed technology rethinks how commercial air conditioning systems handle humidity — and uses novel materials to develop advanced heat pump systems that dehumidify, cool or heat air.

Beyond the Wrench: Building Enterprise Value in Home Services

mailto:chris@reputationigniter.com (Chris Lollini) — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 15:45:00 -0400

In this episode of Beyond the Wrench, Branden Dickey of Conejo Services shares how the company moved from instinct-driven operations to a more disciplined, structured business model.

HVAC Price Increase List: June 2026

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Manufacturers announced June HVACR price increases ranging from modest adjustments to double-digit hikes, with flexible duct, insulation, valves, filtration products, motors, and water heaters among the affected categories.

Trump Reduces Section 232 Tariffs on HVAC Equipment to 15%

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0400

President Trump signed a proclamation that reduces the tariff rate on residential HVAC systems and components.

Addressing the AI Training Gap in HVAC

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

A survey from BuildOps shows the AI training gap present in HVAC. In this Q&A, learn how to overcome this gap, which can simultaneously address the workforce shortage.

New Incentives for Heat Pump Installations Create HVAC Contractor Opportunities

sloned@achrnews.com (Dana Slone) — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 15:00:00 -0400

With the help of a heat pump installation savings program, becoming a qualified contractor opens up a marketing pipeline.

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.

Contractors Have Four Years to Prepare for Next Recession

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

An economist forecasts economic growth for the next four years but warns contractors will face sustained inflation-driven cost pressures before a projected downturn in 2030.

Retirement Plans Are Today’s Top HVAC Recruitment and Retention Tool

sloned@achrnews.com (Dana Slone) — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 14:00:00 -0400

A strong benefits plan creates peace of mind and is an important aspect of employee well-being, allowing workers to focus on their careers and the business at hand.

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.

Breaking Into Data Centers: What HVACR Contractors Need to Know

bellolih@bnpmedia.com (Hannah Belloli-Oster) — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Data centers are quickly becoming one of the HVACR industry’s biggest growth opportunities, but contractors entering the market face far different expectations than traditional commercial work. From precision cooling and nonstop operation to evolving liquid cooling technologies and high-stakes service agreements, success requires technical depth, strong partnerships, and a long-term strategy.

The Exit Landscape: Why Timing is Everything

Sun, 31 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Selling a business is complex. It’s not just a transaction — it’s a life transition.

Refrigerant Recovery is a Revenue Opportunity

Sat, 30 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

As HFCs are phased down under the AIM Act, HVAC contractors can use refrigerant recovery and reclamation to manage supply risks, support customers, and create new revenue opportunities.