Trump’s first 100 days: HVAC edition

Tuesday marked President Trump’s 100th day in office, capping over three months of actions impacting industries in every corner of the economy, including HVAC. 

From tariffs to federal incentives, here’s a look at the 10 biggest industry headlines driven by the administration so far.

Funds in limbo. On January 20, Inauguration Day, President Trump signed an executive order requiring the Department of Energy to “immediately pause the disbursement of funds” under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which includes nearly $9 billion for consumer HVAC rebates. 

• Canada and Mexico dodge HVAC tariffs. While the president imposed a 25 percent tariff on imports from both countries in February, the administration later exempted products under the ‘U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement,’ which includes HVAC imports. This exemption remains in place today. 

But steel and aluminum get 25 percent. Taking effect in February, the metal tariffs currently affect all countries, despite Trump temporarily threatening to double Canada’s rate — America’s largest aluminum supplier — to 50 percent.

• Department of Energy halts efficiency mandates. “The people, not the government, should be choosing the home appliances and products they want at prices they can afford,” said Chris Wright, the Energy Department’s chief, after postponing several Biden-era efficiency mandates, including for central air conditioners and water heaters.

Five states pause HVAC rebates. Despite nearly two-dozen states suing the administration over its January funding freeze, claiming it’s illegal, Arizona, California, Colorado, and Rhode Island suspended their HVAC rebate programs, and Georgia delayed its rollout. 

• EPA ‘reconsiders’ refrigerant rule. The agency in March announced it would review dozens of rules to “roll back trillions in regulatory costs,” including one affecting the A2L transition. However, it specifically targets a part of the rule regarding supermarket refrigeration systems, not residential HVAC, with no actual changes yet.

Tariffs announced on 75+ countries. On April 2, dubbed “Liberation Day,” the president imposed a range of tariffs on most countries, including eight of the top 10 exporters of HVAC products to the U.S., with China receiving the highest rate. 

• But, but, but. A week later, the administration paused these tariffs for 90 days and adjusted rates, lowering most countries to 10 percent while hiking China’s to 145 percent. However, Trump recently suggested that China’s rate will decrease “substantially,” pending negotiations. 

Republicans voice IRA support. While the president dislikes the IRA, and Congress debates which incentives to keep or trim, several Republicans are advocating for a “thoughtful” approach to any potential cuts, noting that 18 of the top 20 districts receiving clean energy investments from the law are represented by Republicans. 

• Judge orders DOE to unfreeze IRA funds. Following a lawsuit, a Rhode Island judge mandated the Department of Energy to immediately resume disbursing IRA funds. Though some funding appears to have resumed flowing, neither the White House nor the DOE has officially commented on the status.