India Boosts Air Conditioner Component Manufacturing Under PLI Scheme INDIA: India has selected five companies in the fourth round of the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for White Goods to manufacture air conditioner components. These firms will invest US$ 93.9 million (₹8630 million), generate production worth US$ 9037 million (₹83,000 million) and create nearly 1,799 direct jobs by FY 2027–28. The additions expand the scheme to 85 companies, strengthening domestic

Zenith Water Heater Considers Further Expansion in North Macedonia NORTH MACEDONIA: UAE-based Zenith Water Heater is exploring plans to expand its operations in North Macedonia, according to the country’s free economic zones authority (TIRZ). The company is assessing a potential new investment within one of the nation’s economic zones, although specific details have not been disclosed. Zenith Water Heater, a subsidiary of Star Industrial Products LLC, already operates a manuf

SPX Technologies Strengthens HVAC Portfolio with Thermolec Acquisition USA: SPX Technologies has completed the acquisition of Canada-based Thermolec Ltd. for approximately US$140 million, marking a strategic expansion of its HVAC segment. Founded in 1973, Thermolec is a Montréal-headquartered manufacturer of custom electric duct heating and related solutions, serving commercial, multi-family residential and light industrial markets across North America. The company employs ne

Panasonic Appointed to Procure Plus Framework for Low-Carbon Heating Solutions United Kingdom: Panasonic Heating and Cooling UK have been selected for the four-year Procure Plus framework, supporting the supply of low- and zero-carbon heating, hot water and smart control technologies to social housing and public sector organisations across the UK. Under the framework, Panasonic will provide its Aquarea air source heat pumps, hot water cylinders and smart control solutions to

STIEBEL ELTRON Begins Heat Pump Production at Höxter Facility GERMANY: STIEBEL ELTRON has commenced heat pump production at its newly acquired facility in Höxter, Germany, following the takeover of the former DMA mechanical engineering site in late 2022. After extensive refurbishment, one production line is now operational, with two additional lines planned. The facility will handle the full production process, from assembling refrigerant circuits to testing, charging and pac

Sustainable Cooling AFRICA: A new report by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) warns that inadequate access to cooling places over one billion people globally at risk, with Africa among the most affected regions. Without urgent action, up to 1.05 billion Africans could face high heat-related risks by 2030. In Sub-Saharan Africa, weak cooling infrastructure threatens health, food security and productivity, while countries such as Nigeria, Sudan and Mozambique are among the

CEVA Logistics to Develop New Daikin Warehouse in Spain SPAIN: CEVA Logistics has started construction of a 27,000 sq m warehouse in Tórtola de Henares, Spain, to support Daikin’s expanding air conditioning operations. Scheduled to be operational in the first quarter of 2027, the facility will enhance logistics efficiency through advanced IT systems, improved inventory management and customised storage solutions. Built to meet BREEAM Very Good standards, the warehouse will in

DIY and Home Improvement Outperform German Online Retail Growth in 2025 GERMANY: Germany’s online home improvement market recorded above-average growth in 2025, outperforming overall e-commerce trends. The DIY and flowers segment grew by 4.9% year on year, reaching sales of US$ 3.61billion (€3.04 billion), according to data from the German E-Commerce and Distance Selling Trade Association (BEVH). Overall German e-commerce sales to end consumers increased by 3.2% to US$ 98.7 b

Denver Region Launches US$200m Heat Pump Drive to Cut Building Emissions USA: The Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) has launched Power Ahead Colorado , a major initiative backed by a US$199.7 million federal grant to reduce carbon emissions from home heating and cooling. Funded through the US Environmental Protection Agency, the programme focuses on accelerating the adoption of electric heat pumps across the Denver metro area. Around US$40 million will be allocat

Saanich Reopens Interest-Free Heat Pump Financing Scheme CANADA: The District of Saanich has opened the seventh intake of its Heat Pump Financing Programme, inviting residents to apply for interest-free loans to switch to electric heat pumps. Launched in 2022 with Central Saanich, the scheme offers up to $12,000 per household, repayable over ten years through a property tax levy. The programme aims to overcome high upfront costs while cutting greenhouse gas emissions and impr

Daikin Introduces Incentive for High-Temperature Heat Pump Installers United Kingdom: Daikin has launched a limited-time incentive offering installers US$ 1187.3 (£1,000) for every qualifying Daikin Altherma High Temperature heat pump installation. Running until 31 March 2026, the scheme is open to accredited Sustainable Home Network installers who purchase eligible models through approved centres or merchant partners and register installations via Daikin’s Stand By Me  porta

Higher Cooling Energy Performance Standards Global: Ten multinational companies, including ABB, Danfoss, and Johnson Controls, have urged policymakers to adopt higher minimum energy performance standards for air conditioners and other major appliances. The call forms part of five global policy principles launched by the Climate Group Smart Energy Coalition, which represents more than 100 companies focused on improving energy efficiency across buildings and industry. The coali

Philippines Philippines: The Philippines has advanced discussions on strengthening minimum energy performance standards for air conditioners following a stakeholder consultation held in November 2025 under the ACT MEPS project. The meeting highlighted the need for higher efficiency benchmarks, stronger enforcement, and improved consumer awareness to address rising energy demand and emissions from the cooling sector. The consultation was organised by the Department of Energy i

Optimist Raises US$ 12 Million funding India: Technology-led cooling startup Optimist has secured US$12 million in a seed and pre-Series A funding round led by Accel and Arkam Ventures, with participation from angel investors, to develop and produce air-conditioning systems suited to India’s high temperatures and constrained power conditions. Founded in 2024 by Ashish Goel, former CEO and co-founder of Urban Ladder, and Pranav Chopra, the company plans to use the funds to adv

UK Government Schemes UK: The UK Government has introduced a new national programme aimed at improving home energy efficiency for lower-income households, with total funding of US$ 17.6 billion. The initiative targets families with an annual household income of around US$41,000 or less and focuses on providing access to energy efficiency upgrades such as solar panels, heat pumps, insulation, and smart energy controls. The scheme replaces earlier fragmented approaches, includi

Egypt Egypt: Egypt has received approval for funding of around US$ 1 million for its Compressor Conversion Project during the 97th meeting of the Executive Committee under the Montreal Protocol. The project is designed to support the local conversion of hermetic compressor manufacturing toward inverter-based technology, with the objective of improving energy efficiency in the cooling sector. The initiative is financed through the Multilateral Fund, which supports countries in

Viessmann Climate Solutions UK :  Viessmann Climate Solutions has been appointed to the four-year Procure Plus Framework for the Supply of Low and Zero Carbon Technologies, a US$ 1.8 billion program supporting energy efficiency upgrades across social housing and public sector buildings. The framework will cover the supply of air source and ground source heat pumps across multiple capacity ranges, along with hot water cylinders, solar PV systems, and battery storage. The produ

Oman Oman: Operations have commenced at a new air conditioning manufacturing plant in the Salalah Free Zone, according to an announcement made in January 2026. The facility, owned by Engineering Industries Company, represents an investment of US$ 12 million and has an annual production capacity of around 70,000 air conditioning units. The project operates under an industrial license within the engineering and electronics category and will supply products to the domestic marke

LG India: LG Electronics India has introduced a new range of air conditioners that comply with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency star rating norms scheduled to take effect in 2026. The rollout has begun ahead of the summer season, making LG one of the early manufacturers align its residential air conditioner portfolio with the revised efficiency framework. The updated norms issued by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency set stricter limits on power consumption to reduce electricity

UK Heat Pump Industry to Launch Unified Trade Body in 2026 UNITED KINGDOM: The UK heat pump sector will unite under a single trade body, Heat Pump Association UK (HPA UK), following a decision by members of the Heat Pump Association, Ground Source Heat Pump Association and Heat Pump Federation to merge. Launching in January 2026, the new organisation aims to provide a unified voice for low-carbon heating as the industry scales up deployment across domestic, commercial and ind