“Contractors need to get involved,” says ACCA’s new chair

“Contractors need to get involved,” says ACCA’s new chair

A conversation with ACCA's new chair about navigating industry changes, the importance of grassroots advocacy, and more

Contractors split over how suppliers should handle tariff costs, survey finds

Contractors split over how suppliers should handle tariff costs, survey finds

A division exists among contractors on how distributors and manufacturers should pass on tariff costs, according to a survey

Economy

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Contractors split over how suppliers should handle tariff costs, survey finds

Contractors split over how suppliers should handle tariff costs, survey finds

A division exists among contractors on how distributors and manufacturers should pass on tariff costs, according to a survey

Mapped: 10 years of U.S. cooling demand

Mapped: 10 years of U.S. cooling demand

Despite a rise in global temperatures, U.S. cooling demand trended downward between 2015 and 2024, according to national weather data

Honeywell, Chemours hike R-454B prices

Honeywell, Chemours hike R-454B prices

The two companies have increased prices for their R-454B products, impacting both open and new orders

House reps seek to boost CTE funding amid HVAC labor crunch

House reps seek to boost CTE funding amid HVAC labor crunch

A letter began circulating in the House to increase the level of Perkins funding this year, which supports HVAC programs nationwide

Legal

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Congress kicks off budget talks with HVAC incentives on the table

Congress kicks off budget talks with HVAC incentives on the table

As the House and Senate begin negotiating a unified federal budget plan, several developments impacting contractors are up for discussion

“Contractors need to get involved,” says ACCA’s new chair

“Contractors need to get involved,” says ACCA’s new chair

A conversation with ACCA's new chair about navigating industry changes, the importance of grassroots advocacy, and more

Department of Energy ordered to unfreeze IRA funds

Department of Energy ordered to unfreeze IRA funds

A Rhode Island judge on Tuesday said that President Trump's IRA funding freeze, which includes HVAC rebates, was arbitrary and unreasonable

Republicans defend Inflation Reduction Act as budget talks begin

Republicans defend Inflation Reduction Act as budget talks begin

As Congress begins ironing out the federal budget plan, several Republicans are advocating for a "thoughtful" approach to any IRA changes

M&A

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Merger forms major Midwest HVAC distributor

Merger forms major Midwest HVAC distributor

Two distributors last week announced a merger, forming the Midwest's largest independent wholesaler of Johnson Controls equipment

HVAC distributor acquires Coastal Supply, RJ Murray

HVAC distributor acquires Coastal Supply, RJ Murray

The deals mark the second Northeast-focused distributor acquisition announced within the past 30 days

Koch Air acquires Standard Air, expands into Northeast

Koch Air acquires Standard Air, expands into Northeast

The acquisition adds to Koch Air's business four locations serving contractors across Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia

HVAC investors eye M&A uptick in 2025

HVAC investors eye M&A uptick in 2025

Following a period of high interest rates and economic uncertainty, the HVAC investor community is optimistic about this year

Management

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Organic lead volume pops 26% in Q1, analysis shows

Organic lead volume pops 26% in Q1, analysis shows

Organic lead volume and average tickets grew in Q1, while customer acquisition costs fell, per an analysis of 100 contractors' marketing data

Google’s ‘AI Overviews’ halve click-through rates in 2024

Google’s ‘AI Overviews’ halve click-through rates in 2024

For searches triggering AI Overviews in 2024, organic click-through rates were cut by more than half, according to a new analysis

Our most-read stories of January

Our most-read stories of January

A new administration, an OEM acquisition, and a couple technology developments

Contractors can still market on TikTok — for now

Contractors can still market on TikTok — for now

The popular social media app's fate in the U.S. remains in question, following a temporary shutdown on January 18

Technology

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Google launches AI-powered Q&A on contractors’ Business Profiles

Google launches AI-powered Q&A on contractors’ Business Profiles

The company has started rolling out a new feature that lets consumers ask specific questions about contractors when viewing Business Profiles

AI firms are coming for contractors’ ad dollars — but have a long way to go

AI firms are coming for contractors’ ad dollars — but have a long way to go

While several AI-powered search engines appear to pose a threat to Google, data shows the gap remains miles wide

ChatGPT’s parent company eyes home services

ChatGPT’s parent company eyes home services

OpenAI, ChatGPT's parent company, on Thursday rolled out a feature that can find, message, and hire contractors on consumers' behalf

Google launches ‘Energy Skilled’ badges: What to know

Google launches ‘Energy Skilled’ badges: What to know

Google will display 'Energy Skilled' badges on contractors' Business Profiles if at least one technician has earned a certain credential