USA Hometown Experts nears majority sale to GHK Capital Partners
Formed in 2022 with backing from MSouth Equity Partners, the company has a footprint across seven southern states
FORTIFIED roof designations will expire after 15 years
The above-code methods for storm-proofing roofs qualify for insurance discounts in several states
HVAC manufacturers ask judge to toss price-fixing lawsuit
Plaintiffs are trying to “contrive a conspiracy from nothing more than ordinary business dealings,” the defendants argue
HVAC, plumbing work still well out of robots’ reach, study finds
A new Anthropic study suggests it’ll be decades before the machines take over
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Economy
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NWS issues prelim November temperature outlook
Meanwhile, an analysis of heating degree day (HDD) data found that the past six Novembers have been warmer than normal
Roofing wholesale prices hold steady in September
A roofing-specific producer price index (PPI) hasn’t budged since July
HVAC wholesale prices hold steady in September as broader producer prices surge
The jump in economy-wide producer prices during the month is largely attributed to higher energy prices
HARDI distributor sales climb in August
The release follows a 6.7 percent year-over-year gain in July, marking the “best back-to-back sales growth” since late 2022
HVAC, plumbing work still well out of robots’ reach, study finds
A new Anthropic study suggests it’ll be decades before the machines take over
Residential water heater shipments fall through August: AHRI
Friday’s release marks the fifth consecutive year when electric water heater shipments outpaced gas shipments in the January to August window
Legal
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HVAC manufacturers ask judge to toss price-fixing lawsuit
Plaintiffs are trying to “contrive a conspiracy from nothing more than ordinary business dealings,” the defendants argue
Q&A: What roofing contractors should know about insurer fraud
In conversation with Brad Quinn, executive director at the American Policyholders Association
Roofing company’s free speech case gets retrial in state court
Shamrock Roofing advertised post-storm services with phrases like “help you navigate the insurance red tape” — and sued when Iowa said it violated state codes
Lawmakers press for urgent release of low-income heating aid
LIHEAP assists roughly 6.7 million households a year with utility bills, weatherization projects, and HVAC repairs and replacements
DOE loosens rules for contractor training grants
Congress in 2022 earmarked $200 million in grants for state energy offices to fund contractor training on certain home energy-efficiency upgrades
Additional documents released in homeowners’ roofing-claim fight against State Farm
Company executives claim that the percentage of approved roof replacements was cut in half after a new program was implemented
M&A
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Stronghouse Solutions’ private equity sponsor to hand control to creditors
The roofing platform is also searching for a new CEO
USA Hometown Experts nears majority sale to GHK Capital Partners
Formed in 2022 with backing from MSouth Equity Partners, the company has a footprint across seven southern states
Roto-Rooter buys its largest franchise for $60 million
The deal marks the company’s sixth franchise acquisition of this year
Watsco buys $500 million Northeast distributor with 82 locations
The deal marks the latest step in its buy-and-build strategy
Flint Group launches sale process
The residential HVAC, plumbing, and electrical platform has tapped William Blair to run the process
SharkBite parent enters exclusive acquisition talks after $2.9 billion bid
The offer from Brookfield, also the parent company of Service Experts, follows three bids from earlier this year
Management
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Former roofer’s platform connects homeowners directly with subcontractors
Be Your Own Roofer has stirred up conversation — and controversy — among contractors
GRIT Foundation launches certified mentor program for youth trades camps
Teach skills using tools — and the Socratic method
‘Keep HVAC Local’ hats now support youth trades camps
A burgeoning coalition aims to support independent contractors across the country
Meet the Contractor: Mike Townsend, Veteran Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric
A look inside his ultra-lean, AI-driven operation
Carrier, Watsco execs talk industry at California conference
Leaders of both companies sounded optimistic about the near term
Meet the Contractor: Owen Krebs Grimsich, 1-888-Heat-Pumps
The former teacher is riding the electrification boom in Silicon Valley
Technology
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Apple debuts smart home lineup, including two thermostats
The products were developed in partnership with LG and Schneider Electric
FORTIFIED roof designations will expire after 15 years
The above-code methods for storm-proofing roofs qualify for insurance discounts in several states
A dispatch from ServiceTitan’s Pantheon conference
Industry chatter and notes from the expo hall floor
Rheem expands hydronics portfolio
The move scales up the company’s existing FT Series Boiler platform
Meet Price Foulger, who wants to gamify his roofing business with a Sims-like CRM
A look at one founder’s story from rock bottom to building California-based Rally Roofing
Bradford White rolls out new tankless water heaters
The announcement expands the company’s array of residential tankless water heaters from four to six