Targets Leadership in Philippines China: Gree Electric Appliances Inc. of Zhuhai is aiming to regain and expand its share in the Philippines air conditioning market, supported by improved stock management and the introduction of innovative products. According to William Zhao, regional general manager for Asia and Oceania, the company seeks to return to its pre-pandemic market position and ultimately achieve the top spot in the country. Gree faced challenges during the pandemi

VTS Group Joins Eurovent Poland: VTS Group has officially joined Eurovent as a Corresponding Member, marking a key milestone in its commitment to quality, transparency, and industry collaboration. Specializing in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning solutions, VTS operates across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas, and is widely recognized for its air handling units, delivering energy-efficient, reliable, and cost-effective climate control systems for comme

Rising Adoption of VRF Systems in Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia’s central air conditioning systems market is entering a transition phase, where technological preference is beginning to shift rather than simply expand. This transition is reflected in a CAGR of approximately 8-9% over 2021-2025, with the market now entering a phase of double-digit growth. Within this evolving landscape, VRF systems are moving from a peripheral role to a strategically important growth segment. Devel

LG Logo USA: Global HVAC technology leader LG Electronics marked the grand opening of its new LG Air Conditioning Technologies Training Academy in Orange. The ribbon-cutting ceremony coincided with the conclusion of California Heat Pump Week, highlighting LG’s commitment to advancing energy-efficient HVAC solutions. Attendees at the launch were given an early preview of LG’s 2026 high-efficiency HVAC lineup, including water heating and control solutions designed to improve co

South Korea Plans Mandatory Heat Pump Adoption in New Homes by 2030 SOUTH KOREA: South Korea is set to accelerate the electrification of heating, with plans to make heat pump installation largely mandatory in new homes from 2030, according to Climate Minister Kim Sung-hwan. The move aims to address the delayed transition away from fossil fuel-based heating, which accounts for nearly half of final energy consumption, and support the country’s 2050 carbon neutrality goal. The g

Trane Technologies Launches World’s Largest HVAC Training Facility USA: Trane Technologies has inaugurated the Trane Advanced Technology Training Center (ATTC) in Davidson, North Carolina, marking the world’s largest and most advanced HVAC training facility. Spanning 45,000 square feet, the centre is designed to strengthen technical expertise as HVAC systems become increasingly complex and connected. The facility can train up to 4,500 students annually, offering over 100,00

Alessandro Catani Appointed Managing Director of Alfaco POLAND: Alessandro Catani was appointed Managing Director of Alfaco, part of CAREL Group, in December 2025. He brings extensive international experience across the financial and industrial sectors, having held senior roles in Poland and Italy, including General Manager at Steel.s Poland and leadership positions at Colorobbia Polska. His appointment aligns with CAREL’s strategy to strengthen its presence in Poland, enhanc

Haier Opens First Flagship Store and Launches Premium Products in Bangladesh BANGLADESH: Haier has inaugurated its first flagship store in Dhaka, marking a significant step in strengthening its brand presence and retail expansion in Bangladesh. The store features the company’s latest visual identity and offers a complete range of home appliances, delivering a one-stop smart home experience for consumers. At the launch, Haier introduced three premium products, including an AI-

Chile Launches Public Consultation for New HFC Refrigerant Emission Standard CHILE: Chile’s Ministry of the Environment has initiated a public consultation process to gather technical, scientific, and economic input for developing a new hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) emission standard. The Ozone Unit is seeking data on refrigerant usage, alternative technologies, emissions reduction methods, and sectoral practices, particularly in large-scale refrigeration systems. Submissions are o

Nordic Climate Group Netherlands: Nordic Climate Group has acquired Ten Have Installatie B.V., an Amsterdam-based company specialising in the design, installation, and maintenance of cooling, heating, and air handling systems. Founded in 2002, the company has established a presence in the commercial segment, serving sectors such as automotive, retail, and real estate. Following the acquisition, Nordic Climate Group has expanded its footprint in the Netherlands to 14 companies

ASHRAE US: The North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council and ASHRAE have signed a three-year agreement to collaborate on advancing the adoption of natural refrigerants. The partnership focuses on research, knowledge sharing, workforce development, and education to support the transition toward lower global warming refrigerant solutions. The collaboration combines ASHRAE’s expertise in technical standards, research, and training with NASRC’s industry network, which incl

Ban on Natural Gas Appliance US: The San Francisco Bay Area Air District has mandated a phase-out of natural gas appliances, restricting water heaters from January 2027 and furnaces from 2029, impacting approximately 2.95 million households in the San Francisco Bay Area. The regulation targets nitrogen oxide emissions, although residential space and water heating contribute only around 5% of total emissions in the state, indicating a relatively limited share compared to tra

Home Depot If its bid to acquire a leading wholesaler goes through, The Home Depot would rapidly emerge as a significant force in HVAC distribution. Its subsidiary, SRS Distribution Inc., recently revealed plans to acquire Mingledorff’s Inc., a Georgia-based distributor specializing in HVAC, plumbing, and electrical equipment and supplies. Currently privately held, Mingledorff’s operates 42 locations across five states in the South and Southeast and reportedly surpassed $1 bi

Room Air Conditioner Prices in India Rise 5% Compared to Last Year INDIA: Room air-conditioner prices in India are expected to rise about 5% this summer compared with last year, as manufacturers face higher input costs and tighter energy-efficiency regulations. Companies including Blue Star Limited said rising commodity prices, new energy labelling norms taking effect from January 2026, and global supply pressures are driving the increase. Industry executives estimate raw mat

Carrier and ATuAire Partner to Expand Heat Pump Adoption in Spain SPAIN: Carrier Global’s Spanish unit and ATuAire have signed a strategic agreement to accelerate deployment of electric heat pumps across hotels, hospitals, industrial sites, multi-residential housing, sports centres, and other commercial buildings in Spain. The partnership combines Carrier’s HVAC technology and engineering expertise with ATuAire’s capabilities in project financing, energy-saving certificates,

Panasonic Vietnam Relaunches SANYO Air Conditioners for Mass Market Expansion VIETNAM: Panasonic Corporation’s Vietnam unit has launched the SANYO air conditioner range in Vietnam, marking a strategic move to broaden its product portfolio and target more price-sensitive consumers. The relaunch brings SANYO back to the Vietnamese AC market under Panasonic’s direct management, combining SANYO’s legacy brand recognition with Panasonic’s technology, quality control, after-sales s

France Unveils US$ 261 Million Electrification Plan to Cut Fossil Fuel Dependence FRANCE: France is accelerating efforts to electrify its economy as the Iran war underscores the risks of relying on imported fossil fuels. Prime Minister Sébastian Lecornu said the shift is now a matter of “national interest,” not just climate policy. The government aims to cut fossil fuel dependence from 60% to 40% by 2030 through wider adoption of electric vehicles, heat pumps, and clean power

Heat Pump USA: With accelerating electrification and increasingly stringent building performance standards, ground-source heat pumps (GSHPs) are gaining renewed traction across the plumbing and mechanical sectors. Once considered a niche technology, these systems are now being actively evaluated for both residential and commercial applications where energy efficiency, lifecycle cost optimization, and sustainability objectives align. As highlighted by the U.S. Department of En

Water heaters USA: Driven by sustainability targets and rising energy costs, electrification regulations are gaining traction across the U.S. For example, Colorado has introduced restrictions on new residential gas furnaces and water heaters, allowing only ultra-low nitrogen oxide emission systems or those meeting updated Energy Star standards. According to Chris Czarnecki, this move could serve as a template for other states pursuing ambitious electrification and decarboniza

Partnership USA: As electrification and more efficient energy use continue to grow, HVAC systems installed by contractors are increasingly acting as a link between homes and the power grid. This shift is reflected in the launch of a new coalition focused on maximizing grid efficiency without expanding infrastructure. Introduced on March 10, Utilize brings together major players such as Carrier, Google, Tesla, along with Renew Home, Sparkfund, SPAN, and Verrus, to enhance “gr