Homepros

Economy

Consumer reluctance to buy large household items ticked up in April

U.S. consumers in April remained sour on buying large household durables — an indicator of HVAC purchasing intent — according to new data

Homeowners holding up despite economic headwinds, Lowe’s and Home Depot say

"The homeowner in a relative sense is perhaps more protected financially than other customer cohorts, and so we continue to see engagement," said Home Depot's CFO

Most of U.S. in for a hotter-than-normal June: Outlook

The Pacific Northwest has the highest chance — 60 to 70 percent — of experiencing above-normal temperatures during the month

Trump admin to extend financial aid to skilled trades training in July

The Workforce Pell Grant program could make HVAC training more affordable, with students expected to receive about $2,200 each, depending on program length

Legal

EPA rule nixes R-410A install deadline — but could raise refrigerant prices, industry groups warn

The rule change is a “costly mistake” for the HVACR industry, HARDI said

GAF hit with antitrust lawsuit over alleged price-fixing scheme

A New Jersey roofing contractor is accusing the manufacturer of anti-competitive pricing practices and improper use of contractor certification systems

Bay Area regulators split over first-of-its-kind gas water heater ban

The rule, beginning in 2027, stands to affect about eight million residents

AHRI, HARDI challenge New York HFC rule in court

A state rule significantly expands prohibitions on the sale, use, and installation of a range of products containing HFC refrigerants

M&A

Apex Service Partners to receive minority investment at $10 billion valuation

Founded in 2019 with backing from California-based Alpine Investors, Apex is the largest private equity-backed residential HVAC, plumbing, and electrical platform in the U.S.

USA Hometown Experts exploring sale, reports say

While the reported process is in the early stages, it follows a string of private equity-backed platform activity this year

Redwood Services buys five-contractor group for $220 million

The deal marks just the second platform-buys-platform transaction among today’s residential HVAC, plumbing, and electrical platforms

Watsco to buy $230 million HVAC distributor Jackson Supply

Jackson Supply Company counts 25 locations across the Sunbelt, including Texas, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Arizona

Management

Google channels diverged on paying customers, average ticket in Q1: Analysis

Google’s primary lead generation channels, from Business Profiles to Local Services Ads, in the first quarter of this year told different stories, according to one analysis