HVAC buying indicator edges up in Q1, remains near historic lows
In the University of Michigan’s popular consumer survey, when asked whether now is a good or bad time to buy ‘major household items,’ 32 percent of respondents in Q1 said it was a good time
Thumbtack, Claude launch contractor hiring integration
As AI adoption skyrockets, marketplaces like Thumbtack are aiming to drive searchers to contractors
The suits, which were filed by contractors and follow an initial March lawsuit, open the door for similarly situated contractors to join the litigation
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Economy
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HVAC buying indicator edges up in Q1, remains near historic lows
In the University of Michigan’s popular consumer survey, when asked whether now is a good or bad time to buy ‘major household items,’ 32 percent of respondents in Q1 said it was a good time
HVAC equipment prices set to jump under new tariff rules
In early April, President Trump announced changes to “Section 232” tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper
Plumbing wholesale prices barely budged in March
A plumbing fixture-specific ‘producer price index’ (PPI) grew just 0.4 percent from February, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Most of U.S. to face above-normal temperatures through July: Outlook
Almost the entire U.S. faces between a 33 and 70 percent chance of experiencing above-normal temperatures from May through July, per the NWS
Legal
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HVAC manufacturers hit with two more price-fixing lawsuits
The suits, which were filed by contractors and follow an initial March lawsuit, open the door for similarly situated contractors to join the litigation
DOE to release billions in stalled home energy rebates
The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act allocated $8.8 billion to states to set up two point-of-sale rebate programs for consumers who make qualifying home upgrades, including gas furnaces and heat pumps
To boost the plumbing workforce, ease licensing rules, some say
In St. Louis, where regulations currently require a one-to-one ratio of apprentices to licensed journeyman plumbers, some contractors are pushing to loosen the ratio to five apprentices per journeyman
DOL recovers $122,000 in back wages for 140 HVAC workers
MS-based AirSouth Cooling and Heating did not include non-discretionary bonuses when calculating overtime wages for workers, and failed to issue final paychecks to two employees
M&A
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Roto-Rooter snaps up two franchises for $20.6 million
The Roto-Rooter corporate entity has been acquiring franchises to “boost productivity, market share, and profitability”
American Residential Services exploring sale, report says
The process, which is being run by investment bank Rothschild & Co, is at an “early stage,” according to Reuters
Mingledorff’s to be acquired by Home Depot’s SRS Distribution
Founded in 1939, Mingledorff’s counts 42 locations across five Southeastern states and is the region’s largest Carrier and Bryant distributor
Champions Group strikes $2.5 billion Blackstone deal
The deal marks the first major platform-level residential HVAC transaction since May 2025
Management
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HVAC contractor sentiment holds steady: Survey
“Over the past year, revenue ‘steadiness’ has increased somewhat and growth has cooled slightly,” the report says
Mother Modern Plumbing shares 50% of profits with employees
“We want to become the preeminent brand of plumbing in Texas,” said founder Dustin Marx
7 HVAC and plumbing contractor videos that went viral
A roundup of seven clips, posted by HVAC and plumbing contractors, that have garnered over one million views
Meet Kurt Hudson, ACCA’s new chair
Hudson is president of Boston-based LC Anderson, Inc., a commercial HVAC business that he and his brother took over from their father in 2013
Technology
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Thumbtack, Claude launch contractor hiring integration
As AI adoption skyrockets, marketplaces like Thumbtack are aiming to drive searchers to contractors
Google tests video in local search ads
“These video ads appear within the local pack — the map-based listings that show businesses near a user’s search”
Merino Energy launches $3,800 heat pump
The ‘Merino Mono’ is a wall-mounted heat pump that can plug into a 120-volt outlet and be installed in an hour
Insurers should foot the bill for smart water devices, white paper suggests
Sales of smart water devices “represent a revenue opportunity of more than $160 million by 2030,” according to the paper