Homepros

Economy

HVAC buying indicator slips in May, hits 12-month low

The most selected reason among consumers who felt it was a bad time to buy in May was “Prices are high,” according to a University of Michigan survey

Gas water heater shipments hit six-year low as electric holds up

Roughly 1.44 million residential gas water heaters were shipped between January and April of this year, the lowest first-four-month total of the past six years, per AHRI

Industry group announces 2026 Heat Pump Water Heater Week

The event, taking place from October 26 to 29, marks an expansion from previous years, when the celebration was just one day

July’s temperature outlook: Warmer on the edges, toss-up in the middle

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

Legal

Daikin to pay $8.5 million for failing to flag PTAC hazard

The settlement resolves previous charges that Daikin “knowingly failed to immediately report” that one of its PTAC units contained a defect

Trump split on trade deal behind HVAC’s tariff exemptions

“I’m thinking about maybe we won’t be able to make a deal. I would rather not have the USMCA,” the president told reporters

House committee moves to boost funding for low-income HVAC program

The move underscores the continued back-and-forth over LIHEAP, which draws bipartisan support in Congress but remains a target of the Trump administration

Trump signs $70 billion immigration enforcement bill

The measure funds ICE and Border Patrol through the remainder of the president's second term

M&A

Lennox to buy Comfort-Aire, Century parent

The deal comes less than a year after Lennox paid $550 million for the HVAC division of NSI Industries, home to several parts and accessories brands

Exclusive

Q&A: The roofing M&A landscape

In conversation with Aaron Toomey, Managing Director at home services-focused investment bank Anchor Peabody

May’s most popular stories

Some big-money action, an EPA rule change, and ChatGPT's local business ads

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.