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Economy

A.O. Smith raising prices amid higher input costs, execs say

"In response to rising steel, freight and other input cost inflation, we have announced price increases for most of our water heater and boiler products," said CEO Stephen Shafer

2026 hurricane forecast points to below-average season

In its 43rd year of forecasting, CSU’s Department of Atmospheric Science is calling for a below-normal 13 named storms, including six hurricanes

Asphalt shingle shipments fell 9.9% in Q1

The roofing industry experienced a slow start in 2026, with year-over-year shipment declines across all major product lines

April’s most popular stories

The five stories that got people clickin’ the most

Legal

Contractors descend on Capitol Hill

Members of PHCC, as well as the American Supply Association, are meeting with legislators on May 5 and 6 about efforts regarding the skilled trades

Trump administration backs push for Supreme Court to scrap gas furnace rule

The Energy Department in 2023 finalized a rule requiring all residential gas furnaces manufactured after December 18, 2028, to have an AFUE rating of at least 95 percent

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

M&A

Redwood Services buys five-contractor group for $220 million

The deal marks just the second platform-buys-platform transaction among today’s residential HVAC, plumbing, and electrical platforms

Watsco to buy $230 million HVAC distributor Jackson Supply

Jackson Supply Company counts 25 locations across the Sunbelt, including Texas, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Arizona

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

Management

Google channels diverged on paying customers, average ticket in Q1: Analysis

Google’s primary lead generation channels, from Business Profiles to Local Services Ads, in the first quarter of this year told different stories, according to one analysis