Push-pull over gas appliance bans intensifies
U.S. cities and states are in a back-and-forth over the banning of natural gas appliances, including HVAC equipment, in newly constructed homes
Above-normal temps predicted for most of U.S. this winter: Outlook
Most of the country faces a 33 to 50 percent chance of above-normal temperatures this winter, per the National Weather Service
The share of U.S. consumers who felt it was a good time to buy major household items fell slightly in September, per the University of Michigan
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Economy
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Above-normal temps predicted for most of U.S. this winter: Outlook
Most of the country faces a 33 to 50 percent chance of above-normal temperatures this winter, per the National Weather Service
PHCC announces 2025 plumbing awards
The association in late October announced a series of awards at its annual conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Plumbing enrollment at two-year colleges up 21% as fall semester progresses
The increase comes amid growing enrollment at vocational-focused schools at large, which has climbed double-digits for two consecutive springs
HVAC distributor sales up in September, flat after adjustment
HARDI members' sales grew 5.3 percent year-over-year in September, but with a catch, according to newly released data
Legal
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Push-pull over gas appliance bans intensifies
U.S. cities and states are in a back-and-forth over the banning of natural gas appliances, including HVAC equipment, in newly constructed homes
95% efficiency rule for gas furnaces stands, court rules
The Department of Energy rule effectively prohibits the manufacture of non-condensing furnaces beginning in late 2028
EPA reconsiders axing Energy Star program
Administrator Lee Zeldin is quietly weighing options to maintain the program in some form, despite the agency's reported plans to eliminate it
Low-income heating program delayed by government shutdown
The federal government’s shutdown is holding up funds for a low-income heating program as winter approaches
M&A
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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
JPMorgan accelerates push into commercial HVAC, related services
The banking giant is aiming to quintuple both the revenue and headcount of its business services group, including the HVAC industry
Contractor-owned platform preps for potential sale
Platform Partners, a group of residential HVAC, plumbing, and electrical businesses, is preparing to explore a sale process, Homepros has learnedÂ
Rheem parent finalizes acquisition of Fujitsu General
The Friday announcement comes over seven months after the two companies first announced the deal in January
Management
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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
Kelso Industries CEO on building a $1.2 billion commercial HVAC business
A conversation with CEO Steve Carroll about the company's backstory, its strategy, what critics overlook about the commercial market, and more
AI CSRs draw adopters — and holdouts
Some contractors have gone all-in on AI in their call centers, while others are holding off
Air Pros founder on the company’s collapseÂ
Anthony Perera, who founded Air Pros in 2017, reflects on the company's backstory, expansion, and eventual bankruptcy filing
Technology
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Google lets consumers hide search ads in redesign
The company has begun rolling out a 'Hide sponsored results' label, according to an announcement
How Reddit affects contractors’ online visibility
Reddit has become an important factor in online search, though exactly how important depends on the platform, according to recent data
AI search favors company websites, listings over forums: Study
AI-powered search platforms lean heavily on ‘brand-managed’ sources rather than discussion forums like Reddit, per a new study
ChatGPT enters home services with Thumbtack partnership
Home services platform Thumbtack is among the first companies to develop an app that will work directly within ChatGPT, per an announcement