HVAC & Plumbing News

Major HVAC manufacturers on Friday asked a federal judge to dismiss a class-action lawsuit accusing them of conspiring to fix prices and overcharge for equipment since 2020. What’s happening: In a joint motion filed Oct. 9, seven OEMs — Bosch, Carrier, Daikin, Lennox, Rheem, Trane, and AAON — and their subsidiaries asked a judge to…

Group offers resources for avoiding questionable equipment, refrigerants Distributors are seeing a rise in equipment and refrigerants in the HVACR channel that may not comply with federal regulations, and Heating, Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) is working to protect members from buying what could turn out to be dead inventory. In particular, a HARDI…

Heat pumps have reshaped August shipments over 10 years October 12, 2026 Need to Know Combined U.S. central air conditioner and air-source heat pump shipments reached 756,739 units in August 2026, an 11.4% increase over August 2025, marking seven consecutive months of year-over-year growth. Heat pumps accounted for 44.7% of combined cooling equipment shipments in…

High oil prices tied to Iran conflict and recent trade friction with Canada have pushed input prices up 8.9% over a year ago, according to BLS. Key Highlights Construction input prices increased by 1.2% in August; Material prices for steel, lumber, and metals have surged over 10% year-over-year; Energy prices showed mixed trends: crude oil…

Under growing pressure to conserve more water, large facilities are exploring alternative treatment technologies to reduce both blowdown and water use without disrupting operations. Key Highlights Cooling towers naturally lose water through evaporation and blowdown, which can be optimized for conservation without impacting core processes; Advanced oxidation process (AOP) technology helps increase cycles of concentration,…

Competition in Shanghai highlights workforce shortages and the need for expanded vocational training worldwide. Key Highlights Plumbing workforce shortages are becoming a global infrastructure issue: LIXIL cites major labor gaps in the US, Europe, Australia and Japan Training is central to expanding the skilled workforce: LIXIL’s GROHE GIVE and TradeUp programs provide plumbing training and…

Excluding data centers and power generation, nonresidential spending declined for the second consecutive month, reaching its lowest level since September 2023. Key Highlights Nonresidential construction spending increased by 0.1% in July, driven mainly by data centers Private nonresidential spending rose 0.4%, while public spending declined 0.2% Contractor confidence remains high, but optimism is increasingly dependent…

The Winsupply Family of Companies has welcomed a new Local Company with the opening of Tulsa Winlectric. Tulsa Winlectric opened its doors on June 19, 2026, at 10702 E. 11th St. and features a 20,000-square-foot facility. Led by President/Owner Jacob Wares, the Tulsa Winlectric team—Campbell Yeager, Brandon Mercer, Colton Collier, Landon Bart, Zevveyln Balalong, Jordan…

CASE STUDY: As more buildings move toward electrification, engineers must be as focused on operational equipment tolerances as they are on equipment schedules and capacity calculations. Key Highlights Heat pump systems require careful evaluation of operational limits, hydraulics, and control sequences to ensure reliable performance; Hydraulic decoupling and dedicated pumping are essential for stabilizing flow…

Understanding the Impact of U.S.-Canada Trade Tariffs on HVAC Businesses The ongoing trade tension between the U.S. and Canada has reached a critical juncture with the implementation of steep 50% tariffs. This escalation not only strains diplomatic relations but poses significant implications for HVAC business owners on both sides of the border. With potential disruptions…