Lennox to buy Comfort-Aire, Century parent

Lennox has signed an agreement to acquire HVAC equipment supplier Heat Controller, known for its Comfort-Aire and Century brands, for an undisclosed sum, the company announced Thursday. 

What’s happening: “The acquisition strengthens Lennox’s ability to serve small and mid-size HVAC distributors by expanding access to differentiated equipment offerings,” a news release states, “while creating new opportunities to broaden Lennox’s [North American market] share.” 

The big picture: The deal comes less than a year after Lennox paid $550 million for the HVAC division of NSI Industries — home to parts and accessories brands Duro Dyne and Supco — as part of a push to broaden its parts and supplies lineup. 

Zoom out: Heat Controller, based in Michigan, was acquired by HVAC supplier Motors & Armatures (MARS) in 2013. 

• Private equity firm Platinum Equity acquired a majority stake in MARS in 2024, then sold MARS’s parts division to RectorSeal-parent CSW Industrials for $650 million in late 2025.
• As MARS’s remaining equipment arm, Heat Controller’s sale marks Platinum’s final exit from MARS. 

Looking ahead: The deal is expected to close later this year. Representatives for Lennox and Platinum Equity didn’t return requests for comment.