Homepros

House bill proposes tax-free savings accounts for the trades

The accounts would allow Americans to make withdrawals for expenses related to apprenticeship programs, community colleges or trade schools, certifications and licensing, tools and equipment, and establishing a new business

HVAC shipments drop 29% annually in January, but tick up from December

HVAC manufacturers shipped just over 440,000 combined central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps in January, according to AHRI data

Service Experts kicks off franchise push

The 30-year-old HVAC and plumbing platform, which generates roughly $1 billion in annual revenue, announced in late 2025 that it would begin offering franchises

Economy

HVAC shipments drop 29% annually in January, but tick up from December

HVAC manufacturers shipped just over 440,000 combined central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps in January, according to AHRI data

BlackRock commits $100 million to skilled trades training

The Future Builders initiative, funded by the BlackRock Foundation, will deploy the capital to nonprofits and workforce development organizations

By the numbers: How U.S. consumers are actually doing

A look at six key indicators from the Federal Reserve over the past five years, as of December 2025

PHCC revamps national HVAC contest, crowns winners

Organizers say the improved format better positions the contest as a top pipeline for the industry’s most skilled labor

Legal

House bill proposes tax-free savings accounts for the trades

Judge dismisses refrigerant monopoly lawsuit against Chemours

In December 2024, two refrigerant suppliers sued the company on 10 counts, including breach of contract and “actual and attempted monopolization”

House passes bills targeting HVAC rebates, efficiency standards

The U.S. House of Representatives this week passed two HVAC-focused bills, including one that would nix a federal rebate program

Industry groups join push for Supreme Court to take up gas furnace case

HARDI and PHCC are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to take up a case regarding non-condensing gas furnaces

M&A

Champions Group strikes $2.5 billion Blackstone deal

The deal marks the first major platform-level residential HVAC transaction since May 2025

Yelp to buy AI platform Hatch for $300 million

The partnership "gives us an incredible amount of resources to improve the platform," Hatch CEO Chris Bache tells Homepros

A.O. Smith finalizes $470 million Leonard Valve buy

The company first announced the deal in November 2025

Pacific Plumbing Supply acquires M&L Supply

"This acquisition is an important and unique opportunity to strengthen our business," said Pacific CEO Ron Abramson

Management

Service Experts kicks off franchise push

The 30-year-old HVAC and plumbing platform, which generates roughly $1 billion in annual revenue, announced in late 2025 that it would begin offering franchises