September’s most popular stories

Residential market woes, Nexstar's private equity move, a $38 million contractor, and more

Homepros

Image: Homepros

Ah, the fourth quarter. As October kicks off, here’s a look at our five most-read stories from September: 

HVAC execs weigh in on residential market challenges. [Referencing July’s 27 percent shipment drop] “‘We estimate that industry volumes in August and September will be down in that range, if not worse,‘ said Carrier CEO Dave Gitlin. ‘This would represent the weakest industry Q3 volume in over a decade.‘” (Full story)

Nexstar Network parts ways with private equity. “Just three years ago, private equity-backed contractors represented 10 percent of Nexstar’s membership base… Today, that figure sits at 33 percent, with those members accounting for 50 percent of the organization’s revenue.” (Full story)

“It’s a capacity game”: Call Dad eyes $38 million in revenue. “In 2017, Matt Pozda, a former banker, purchased a Charlotte, North Carolina-based business called Sky HVAC, which had been founded in 2013. Today, the company — now Call Dad AC & Heating — has over 200 employees serving customers in nine markets across the Carolinas, with a budgeted revenue target of $38 million this year, a projected 87 percent organic year-over-year increase.” (Full story)

HVAC shipments slide for third straight month, drop 27% in July. “HVAC manufacturers shipped just over 763,000 combined [ACs and heat pumps in July], a 27 percent year-over-year decrease… The release follows a similar 22 percent drop in June and marks the weakest July, volume-wise, since 2015, when roughly 726,000 combined units were shipped, per AHRI.” (Full story)

What you’re saying: ServiceTitan’s Pantheon. “I can’t get a read on the market. Some contractors I speak with are doing great, and others aren’t. It’s a mixed bag of performance. It’s a weird year, and I know I’m not the only one who feels this way.”  (Full story)

Keep reading

AC, heat pump shipments up 4.6% in March

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

Q&A: The state of recruiting in HVAC

Q&A: The state of recruiting in HVAC

A conversation about recruiting in HVAC, including onboarding, employee referral programs, handling limited budgets, and more

Water heater shipments fall in October

Water heater shipments fall in October

U.S. shipments of both gas and electric residential storage water heaters fell during the month, compared to last year, per AHRI