HVAC enrollment at two-year colleges up 18.7%
30,944 students were enrolled in HVAC-specific programs at public, two-year colleges during the fall of 2025, according to a new report
ServiceTitan exec on AI trends in the trades
A Q&A with Vincent Payen, covering what the company is seeing regarding contractors’ use of AI — and ways it may evolve in the near term
In conversation with Claire Ferrara, Nexstar Network's 2026 chairwoman and president of MN-based Standard Heating & Air Conditioning
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Economy
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Nexstar chair on splitting with private equity, the year ahead
In conversation with Claire Ferrara, Nexstar Network's 2026 chairwoman and president of MN-based Standard Heating & Air Conditioning
HVAC enrollment at two-year colleges up 18.7%
30,944 students were enrolled in HVAC-specific programs at public, two-year colleges during the fall of 2025, according to a new report
Plumbing manufacturers target industry-wide counterfeiting
Moen has contended that 35 million “cheap, foreign-made, off-brand” faucets were sold between 2020 and 2024
HVAC shipments fall 46% in November
While the decline is noteworthy — marking the sixth consecutive month of over 20 percent year-over-year drops — it was largely expected
Legal
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Congress moves to save Energy Star
The U.S. House on Thursday passed a bipartisan 2026 spending package that includes roughly $33 million for Energy Star
Colorado goes statewide with ultra-low NOx furnace rule
As of Jan. 1, new residential gas furnace and water heater models sold in the state must be ultra-low NOx or meet the latest Energy Star standards
EPA eases up on HVAC install deadline
The agency over the holidays announced that it's deprioritizing the enforcement of a deadline that affects many R-410A systems
EPA unclear on HVAC install rule as deadline nears
The EPA has proposed removing the Jan. 1, 2026, deadline for installing many R-410A systems, but it hasn't yet issued a final rule
M&A
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A.O. Smith finalizes $470 million Leonard Valve buy
The company first announced the deal in November 2025
Pacific Plumbing Supply acquires M&L Supply
"This acquisition is an important and unique opportunity to strengthen our business," said Pacific CEO Ron Abramson
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
Management
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Heat pump water heater advancements tackle install obstacles
Members of the Advanced Water Heating Initiative during a December meeting assessed the state of the market
Homepros: 2025 Editor’s Letter
What happened this year — and what’s happening next
PHCC launches peer groups for contractors
The initiative will include monthly Zoom meetings, where members function as a board of advisors for one another
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
Technology
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ServiceTitan exec on AI trends in the trades
A Q&A with Vincent Payen, covering what the company is seeing regarding contractors’ use of AI — and ways it may evolve in the near term
Some contractors embed AI, others ‘wait and see’: ServiceTitan report
Contractors “expect the technology to impact their businesses soon — but aren’t yet sure how that monumental change will play out”
Proponents celebrate heat pump water heater advancements
Industry executives this fall came together on ‘Heat Pump Water Heater Day’ for a series of webinars to discuss the technology
Google ads surfacing in AI Mode searches
Over the past several weeks, more consumers have been spotting ads in AI Mode searches, including one instance of a local HVAC search