HVAC
Much of the eastern half of the U.S., along with the West Coast, faces at least a 33 percent chance of experiencing above-normal temperatures during the month
HVAC shipments rise for fourth straight month in May
Shipments of air conditioners, in particular, drove the month’s trend, growing 10.2 percent year-over-year, per AHRI
HVAC groups back compliance-date change for regional efficiency standards
Under current law, regional energy-efficiency standards for furnaces, air conditioners, and heat pumps are enforced based on the date of installation
A long-delayed GFCI requirement is set to hit outdoor HVAC equipment in September — unless it’s delayed again
The 2020 National Electrical Code initially included a GFCI protection requirement for outdoor air conditioners and heat pumps
Apple shuts home service contractors out of upcoming Maps ads
The decision “sets Apple apart from Google, where Local Services Ads are one of the company’s largest local advertising categories”
Economy
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Chances of above-normal August temps lean east: Outlook
Much of the eastern half of the U.S., along with the West Coast, faces at least a 33 percent chance of experiencing above-normal temperatures during the month
HVAC shipments rise for fourth straight month in May
Shipments of air conditioners, in particular, drove the month’s trend, growing 10.2 percent year-over-year, per AHRI
HVAC distributor sales fell in May: HARDI
"With a lot of difficult weather comps across the country during the next couple of months, we need that summer magic to cook up some demand"
Defense Department launches skilled trades push with $10 million check
The effort adds to a growing list of skilled trades investments from both Washington and the business community this year
U.S. trade school revenue climbs to $19.1 billion
A quiet winner has emerged amid America’s skilled trades boom
Charted: Where U.S. household debt payments stand
In the first quarter of this year, household debt payments represented 11.16 percent of disposable income, according to the Federal Reserve
Legal
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Natural gas heating could become a constitutional right in Colorado
The initiative reflects an ongoing push-pull over the banning of natural gas appliances, including HVAC equipment, in newly constructed homes across the U.S.
A long-delayed GFCI requirement is set to hit outdoor HVAC equipment in September — unless it’s delayed again
The 2020 National Electrical Code initially included a GFCI protection requirement for outdoor air conditioners and heat pumps
HVAC groups back compliance-date change for regional efficiency standards
Under current law, regional energy-efficiency standards for furnaces, air conditioners, and heat pumps are enforced based on the date of installation
Industry groups urge Congress to bury small-biz reporting rule
Dozens of trade groups have sent a letter to Congress, urging leaders to ensure that a currently shelved small business reporting requirement does not return
Federal grant program covering skilled trades training goes live
The Workforce Pell Grant program, established under President Trump’s big, beautiful bill in July 2025, allows students to leverage Pell Grants for shorter-term vocational programs
June’s most popular stories
A federal rebate change, $300,000 contractor settlement, 1.3 million-subscriber YouTube channel, and more
M&A
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Lennox to buy Comfort-Aire, Century parent
The deal comes less than a year after Lennox paid $550 million for the HVAC division of NSI Industries, home to several parts and accessories brands
May’s most popular stories
Some big-money action, an EPA rule change, and ChatGPT's local business ads
Apex Service Partners to receive minority investment at $10 billion valuation
Founded in 2019 with backing from California-based Alpine Investors, Apex is the largest private equity-backed residential HVAC, plumbing, and electrical platform in the U.S.
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
Management
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How AllTech Services runs its 1.3 million-subscriber YouTube channel
In conversation with owner Abe Zarou about the company’s YouTube strategy, day-to-day operations, and more
PHCC’s next CEO on his game plan
In conversation with Dan Quinonez, who will step into the chief executive role on November 1
Meet the Contractor: Brandon Anderson, Morris-Jenkins
"Our former owner, Mr. Jenkins, built the company around taking care of people"
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
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
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Apple shuts home service contractors out of upcoming Maps ads
The decision “sets Apple apart from Google, where Local Services Ads are one of the company’s largest local advertising categories”
Nest adds compressor alerts
As part of Nest’s six-year-old System Health Monitor feature, thermostats can now detect potential issues with compressors, in particular
ChatGPT ads to go performance-based
Advertisers would reportedly pay only when certain actions are taken, including appointment bookings
Avoca co-founders on a $1 billion valuation, tomorrow’s CSRs, and AI’s trust dilemma
In late April, the home services-focused AI company announced that it has raised over $125 million in funding since its 2022 inception, most recently clinching a $1 billion valuation
NYC program deploys plug-in power banks for window AC units
CEO Andrew Wang told Homepros that the program launched last summer with 100 units and has expanded to roughly 1,000 this month
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