HVAC equipment prices set to jump under new tariff rules

ACCA is raising alarms about recent tariff changes that stand to meaningfully raise the prices of HVAC equipment. 

What’s happening: In early April, President Trump announced changes to “Section 232” tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper. 

• Previously, steel and aluminum sourced from American producers were exempt from Section 232 tariffs; however, that exemption has been eliminated. 
• The change, ACCA noted in an April 18 blog post, “will significantly drive up equipment costs for contractors and their customers, disrupting the industry once again as contractors head into their busy season.” 

Go deeper: According to late-2025 import data cited by HARDI, HVAC products from Mexico faced an effective tariff rate of about eight percent, as roughly 84 percent of the products’ metal content — previously exempt from Section 232 tariffs — originated in the U.S. 

• Yes, but: Under the new rules, any such product would face a 25 percent tariff on its entire value. 
• Because Mexico is the largest exporter of HVAC products to the United States, the change is expected to have a significant impact. 

What they’re saying: “It is likely that the cost will be passed through the supply chain to distributors and contractors; ultimately, contractors would likely need to pass on those increased costs to homeowners and businesses,” ACCA wrote. 

• “While tariffs are just one of many factors driving increased equipment costs, they are a significant factor, and ACCA’s policy position is to support trade policies that ensure stable supply chains and predictable contractor pricing,” ​Kate Wessels, ACCA’s VP of Communications, told Homepros via email.

What we’re watching: The association has urged the Trump administration to exempt HVAC equipment — or at least institute a 90-day delay, allowing manufacturers to adjust their supply chains.  

• ACCA is also encouraging contractors to send a similar, pre-filled letter to their Congress members. Both PHCC and AHRI will be holding advocacy events in Washington, D.C., in May.