August’s most popular stories

The busy summer season is coming to a close with August now in the books. Wake me up when September ends. But first, here’s our five most-read stories from August:

California passes first-of-its-kind heat pump permitting bill. “While other states have incentivized electrification efforts through rebates, California’s legislation marks the first approved bill in the U.S. aimed at the permitting process from the state level.” (Full story)

ServiceTitan scrapped its Podium partnership. Each company frames it differently. “ServiceTitan [has] pulled the plug on its longstanding partnership with software company Podium. The companies are framing the split differently… The move affects nearly 1,000 contractors using the companies’ integration, according to Podium CEO Eric Rea. They have roughly a month to make a change.” (Full story)

GFCI rule for outdoor HVAC equipment to hit over 20 states. “A definitive number of states in which the GFCI requirement will take effect on [September 1] couldn’t be ascertained, as state and local code regulations vary. A HARDI representative told Homepros that 24 states will be impacted, while an AHRI spokesperson placed the figure at 28 in some capacity — since in some states, only certain counties will be impacted.” (Full story)

Home Depot’s SRS to acquire Colorado HVAC distributor. “Home Depot subsidiary SRS Distribution announced [on August 10] that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire distributor Lohmiller & Company for an undisclosed sum as it expands its HVAC portfolio.” (Full story)

Former HVAC school named in report of $300 million trade school fraud. “A Washington Post report… revealed that 20 for-profit trade schools that educate military veterans under the GI Bill have fleeced the federal government out of more than $300 million, including a former HVAC school in Texas that raked in $72 million over three years.” (Full story)