Ferguson Ventures bets on HVAC, plumbing technology
In 2018, Ferguson launched an in-house investment arm to back tech startups serving builders and HVAC and plumbing contractors
Carrier residential sales fall 38%, unit volume ‘over’ 40%
While executives projected the decline, “we all got surprised by the magnitude” of the overall downturn during the second half of 2025, CEO David Gitlin said
January legislation earmarked $33 million for the program and included a directive that the administration not take actions to reduce the amount
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Economy
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Ferguson Ventures bets on HVAC, plumbing technology
In 2018, Ferguson launched an in-house investment arm to back tech startups serving builders and HVAC and plumbing contractors
Carrier residential sales fall 38%, unit volume ‘over’ 40%
While executives projected the decline, “we all got surprised by the magnitude” of the overall downturn during the second half of 2025, CEO David Gitlin said
January’s most popular stories
The EPA's relief, industry chatter, unit volumes, and more
Women in HVACR preps for ‘new-collar’ workforce
In conversation with Jane Sidebottom, the nonprofit’s newly-installed 2026 president
Legal
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Energy Star secures mandatory funding, a program first
January legislation earmarked $33 million for the program and included a directive that the administration not take actions to reduce the amount
Low-income HVAC program gets $4 billion
Congress passed — and the president signed — an appropriations bill that includes over $4 billion for LIHEAP
Rebate overhaul spurs jump in heat pump water heater installs
The Tennessee Valley Authority restructured an incentive program, spurring roughly 1,800 heat pump water heater installs within six months
Supreme Court asked to take on gas furnace rule
The rule requires all residential gas furnaces manufactured after December 18, 2028, to have an AFUE rating of at least 95 percent
M&A
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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
Bain Capital rounds up $3.1 billion to buy Service Logic
The private equity firm has lined up financing from Wall Street to acquire the commercial HVAC provider, Bloomberg reported
Management
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Heat pump water heater advancements tackle install obstacles
Members of the Advanced Water Heating Initiative during a December meeting assessed the state of the market
Homepros: 2025 Editor’s Letter
What happened this year — and what’s happening next
PHCC launches peer groups for contractors
The initiative will include monthly Zoom meetings, where members function as a board of advisors for one another
Wrench Group CMO on navigating the AI era
A conversation with CMO Meghann McNally about Google's staying power, evaluating marketing channels, where the company's betting, and more
Technology
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AHR Expo kicks off, expects 50,000
On site, there will be roughly 300 new product presentations and educational sessions through Wednesday
Dandelion Energy eyes mainstream geothermal
The company is pushing for geothermal heating and cooling to be “the standard in new home construction”
ChatGPT to open for advertising
In the coming weeks, ChatGPT parent OpenAI will begin testing advertisements in the U.S., according to a Friday announcement
ServiceTitan exec on AI trends in the trades
A Q&A with Vincent Payen, covering what the company is seeing regarding contractors’ use of AI — and ways it may evolve in the near term