The residential HVAC, plumbing, and electrical platform has tapped William Blair to run the process
8 roofing contractor videos that went viral
A social media roundup of eight clips, posted by roofing contractors, that have received millions of views
Lowe’s rallies over 75 partners to train 1 million tradespeople
An estimated 2.1 million skilled trades jobs could go unfilled by 2030, according to the Department of Education
Advertisers could recoup a chunk of their Google ad spend, lawyers say
Mass arbitration follows court rulings that called the search giant a monopoly
GFCI rule for outdoor HVAC equipment to hit over 20 states
Industry associations continue to push for a two-year delay, citing practicality concerns
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Economy
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HVAC coalition presses feds for tariff relief, USMCA support
ACCA, AHRI, HARDI, and PHCC on Wednesday submitted a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer
HARDI distributor sales rose 6.7% in July
But the report is “not telling us much about the market,” a HARDI representative said
Lowe’s rallies over 75 partners to train 1 million tradespeople
An estimated 2.1 million skilled trades jobs could go unfilled by 2030, according to the Department of Education
NWS issues final September temperature outlook
Most of the lower 48 states are expected to experience above-normal temperatures during the month, excluding much of the Northwest and New England
HVAC buying indicator ticks up in July — but remains muted
The share of U.S. consumers who felt it was a good time to buy major household items in July rose from the prior month but remains below levels from a year ago, per the University of Michigan
Education Secretary’s elementary-school trades comments stir up controversy
Linda McMahon has suggested that educators get students into pathways toward the skilled trades, "starting even in elementary, middle schools, high schools"
Legal
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Advertisers could recoup a chunk of their Google ad spend, lawyers say
Mass arbitration follows court rulings that called the search giant a monopoly
New documents reveal State Farm program to slash storm payouts
One executive said the company saw a $1.4 billion decrease in payouts in the first year of the program
August’s most popular stories
New heat pump legislation, ServiceTitan drama, GFCI requirements, and more
GFCI rule for outdoor HVAC equipment to hit over 20 states
Industry associations continue to push for a two-year delay, citing practicality concerns
AHRI presses court to fast-track EPA refrigerant rule challenge
Refrigerant prices across the industry could rise under an updated rule published in May, the association argues
California passes first-of-its-kind heat pump permitting bill
“The Heat Pump Access Act” cleared the state Senate on Tuesday and now awaits approval from Gov. Gavin Newsom
M&A
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Flint Group launches sale process
The residential HVAC, plumbing, and electrical platform has tapped William Blair to run the process
SharkBite parent enters exclusive acquisition talks after $2.9 billion bid
The offer from Brookfield, also the parent company of Service Experts, follows three bids from earlier this year
Home Depot’s SRS to acquire Colorado HVAC distributor
The move marks SRS’s second HVAC deal, following its acquisition of Mingledorff’s, the Southeast’s largest Carrier and Bryant distributor
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
Management
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8 roofing contractor videos that went viral
A social media roundup of eight clips, posted by roofing contractors, that have received millions of views
UA leaders laud growth, shrug off tariffs at major convention
The United Association’s General Convention happens once every five years
Rinnai launches loyalty program for installers
Any tech can participate, whether or not their employer has a professional affiliation with Rinnai
Roto-Rooter residential revenue edges up — but lead costs bite
The company’s adjusted EBITDA margin declined slightly in the second quarter, driven by “increased internet marketing costs”
NWS issues final August temperature outlook
The final outlook widened the zone forecast to experience above-normal temperatures during the month to much of the lower 48 states
Meet the Contractor: Amber DeLong, DeLong & Sons HVAC
"When I grew up, my dad ran a local dealership, and I worked there for years. I think that background really prepared me as a business owner in this world"
Technology
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Bradford White rolls out new tankless water heaters
The announcement expands the company’s array of residential tankless water heaters from four to six
Google to charge for some missed LSA calls
The change to the company’s Local Services Ads policy is set to take effect in October, according to an email
Yelp’s ChatGPT deal turns attention to how it displays reviews
With ChatGPT poised to lean more on Yelp as a source, a contractor’s Yelp presence could carry more weight than before
ServiceTitan scrapped its Podium partnership. Each company frames it differently.
The move affects nearly 1,000 contractors using the companies’ integration. They have roughly a month to make a change
Apple shuts home service contractors out of upcoming Maps ads
The decision “sets Apple apart from Google, where Local Services Ads are one of the company’s largest local advertising categories”
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