Trade court rules Trump’s 10% global tariffs illegal
The president told reporters that his administration would find “a different way” to impose tariffs, and the administration is expected to appeal the ruling
AC, heat pump shipments up 4.6% in March
March marked the second consecutive month of year-over-year growth in combined shipments, according to AHRI data
While the reported process is in the early stages, it follows a string of private equity-backed platform activity this year
📬 Get our stories in your inbox
Economy
Read More
Trade court rules Trump’s 10% global tariffs illegal
The president told reporters that his administration would find “a different way” to impose tariffs, and the administration is expected to appeal the ruling
AC, heat pump shipments up 4.6% in March
March marked the second consecutive month of year-over-year growth in combined shipments, according to AHRI data
HVAC distributor sales climb in March
Annualized sales — comparing the 12 months through March 2026 with the 12 months through March 2025 — grew 3.3 percent
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
Legal
Read More
Senate bills aim to speed apprenticeship approvals, track outcomes
The moves follow the Trump administration’s efforts to champion apprenticeships
New-home efficiency rule gets the axe
The rule would have required that gas furnaces and heat pumps meet certain energy efficiency standards, and also included requirements for duct sealing and air leakage
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
M&A
Read More
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
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”
Management
Read More
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
HVAC contractor sentiment holds steady: Survey
“Over the past year, revenue ‘steadiness’ has increased somewhat and growth has cooled slightly,” the report says
Mother Modern Plumbing shares 50% of profits with employees
“We want to become the preeminent brand of plumbing in Texas,” said founder Dustin Marx
7 HVAC and plumbing contractor videos that went viral
A roundup of seven clips, posted by HVAC and plumbing contractors, that have garnered over one million views
Technology
Read More
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
Report details heat pump water heater market’s mixed year
5 new residential manufacturers brought heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) to market in 2025, it notes, and the industry saw notable technological advancements
Thumbtack, Claude launch contractor hiring integration
As AI adoption skyrockets, marketplaces like Thumbtack are aiming to drive searchers to contractors