July 1 marks a key deadline for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which has insulated the HVAC industry from a chunk of tariffs over the past year
Owens Corning hit with unsolicited acquisition offers, WSJ says
Carlisle — which owns several roofing material brands, including Versico and WeatherBond — has made the offers in recent months
U.S. trade school revenue climbs to $19.1 billion
A quiet winner has emerged amid America’s skilled trades boom
PHCC slams Louisiana licensing rollback as industrywide ‘warning’
“Louisiana had stronger licensure protections than most states, and watering them down will ultimately cost consumers through poorer work quality and greater safety hazards,” said COO Dan Quinonez
Industry groups challenge EPA rule over threat of refrigerant price hikes
“By allowing new commercial refrigeration systems to be built on legacy refrigerants, the rule artificially inflates demand and squeezes the entire market, including the residential AC segment,” HARDI wrote
Get our stories in your inbox
Join tens of thousands of executives and get the HVAC and plumbing industries' biggest news and trends right in your inbox, for free.
Economy
Read more
U.S. trade school revenue climbs to $19.1 billion
A quiet winner has emerged amid America’s skilled trades boom
Charted: Where U.S. household debt payments stand
In the first quarter of this year, household debt payments represented 11.16 percent of disposable income, according to the Federal Reserve
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
Read more
June’s most popular stories
A federal rebate change, $300,000 contractor settlement, 1.3 million-subscriber YouTube channel, and more
U.S. set to pass on renewing trade deal behind HVAC tariff breaks
July 1 marks a key deadline for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which has insulated the HVAC industry from a chunk of tariffs over the past year
PHCC slams Louisiana licensing rollback as industrywide ‘warning’
“Louisiana had stronger licensure protections than most states, and watering them down will ultimately cost consumers through poorer work quality and greater safety hazards,” said COO Dan Quinonez
Chemours agrees to $450 million PFAS settlement
The announcement marks the “first comprehensive federal settlement” with a major PFAS manufacturer, according to the Justice Department
Industry groups challenge EPA rule over threat of refrigerant price hikes
“By allowing new commercial refrigeration systems to be built on legacy refrigerants, the rule artificially inflates demand and squeezes the entire market, including the residential AC segment,” HARDI wrote
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
M&A
Read more
Owens Corning hit with unsolicited acquisition offers, WSJ says
Carlisle — which owns several roofing material brands, including Versico and WeatherBond — has made the offers in recent months
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
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.
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
Management
Read more
Texas roofing operator cites storm chasers, rising material costs as market pressure points
In conversation with Matt Werling, owner of Cedar Park-based Regenesis Roofing
Former NFL quarterback joins Florida roofing company
The former Jaguars star is joining NEXGEN Roofing in an open-ended role that will be chronicled in a six-part video series
No debt, no shortcuts: How a veteran-owned roofing company is doing business with purpose
In conversation with Georgia-based Bravo Roofing owner Wes McClure
How AllTech Services runs its 1.3 million-subscriber YouTube channel
In conversation with owner Abe Zarou about the company’s YouTube strategy, day-to-day operations, and more
PHCC’s next CEO on his game plan
In conversation with Dan Quinonez, who will step into the chief executive role on November 1
Meet the Contractor: Brandon Anderson, Morris-Jenkins
"Our former owner, Mr. Jenkins, built the company around taking care of people"
Technology
Read more
Nest adds compressor alerts
As part of Nest’s six-year-old System Health Monitor feature, thermostats can now detect potential issues with compressors, in particular
ChatGPT ads to go performance-based
Advertisers would reportedly pay only when certain actions are taken, including appointment bookings
Avoca co-founders on a $1 billion valuation, tomorrow’s CSRs, and AI’s trust dilemma
In late April, the home services-focused AI company announced that it has raised over $125 million in funding since its 2022 inception, most recently clinching a $1 billion valuation
NYC program deploys plug-in power banks for window AC units
CEO Andrew Wang told Homepros that the program launched last summer with 100 units and has expanded to roughly 1,000 this month
ChatGPT ads now open to local service businesses
Through a new self-serve Ads Manager, businesses can create and manage their own ad campaigns on a cost-per-click (CPC) basis
Microsoft, trade unions expand AI literacy push
The partners last week announced a slate of free AI literacy courses for the skilled trades, available on LinkedIn Learning