Government Raises Boiler Upgrade Grants UK: Households facing rising heating oil costs will receive increased financial support as the Government raises grants under the “boiler upgrade scheme” from GBP 7,500 (USD 9,450) to GBP 9,000 (USD 11,340) for properties relying on heating oil and LPG. The initiative is designed to help households and small businesses across England and Wales particularly in rural areas transition to electric heat pumps and achieve more predictable ene

Expands into AI Data Center Infrastructure South Korea: LG Electronics announced its strategic expansion into the artificial intelligence data center infrastructure market, introducing a suite of advanced cooling and energy solutions while positioning its HVAC segment as a key business-to-business growth driver. The company showcased its latest portfolio at the Data Center World 2026 in Washington, where global firms addressed increasing infrastructure and energy efficiency d

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

Over 51,000 Hectares in Land Preparation Iran: National Land and Housing Organization Managing Director Ali Nabian announced that contractor claims in the land preparation sector have been paid from the organization’s resources, highlighting continued progress in land development efforts. Speaking via a report from the Ministry of Transport and Urban Development, he emphasized that under the 14th government, land preparation alongside land supply has been actively pursued, wi

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

Why DIY Channel Lags Behind in the Philippines The perception and adoption of DIY (Do-It-Yourself) practices vary markedly between Asian and Western markets, driven by differences in cultural norms, economic conditions, and market structures. In Europe, DIY is deeply embedded in a culture of self-reliance and home improvement, where consumers are motivated by creativity, cost efficiency, and a long-standing tradition of hands-on maintenance. This behaviour is further enabled

Renovation Spending Holds Firm as Homeowners Prioritise Long-Term Living Spaces in 2026 Outlook USA: Home renovation activity in the United States remained strong in 2025, with 54% of homeowners undertaking projects, according to the Houzz & Home Study 2026. Median spending stayed at $20,000, although high-end renovations increased, with the top 10% reaching $150,000. However, planned spending for 2026 has softened to $15,000, reflecting a more cautious outlook. The study hig

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

Leroy Merlin Reports Modest Growth in 2025 FRANCE: Leroy Merlin recorded a 1.4% increase in business volume in 2025, reaching US$ 11.5 billion (€9.8 billion) in France, outperforming a declining DIY market estimated at around -3%. Growth was largely driven by strong e-commerce performance, with online visits rising by 10% and click-and-collect sales increasing by over 5%, indicating improved digital conversion. In addition, sales to professional customers grew by 10% to US$ 1

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

SANHA GmbH & Co. KG Reports Modest Revenue Growth and Strong Margins in 2025 GERMANY: SANHA GmbH & Co. KG recorded a slight revenue increase of around 1% to US$ 146.9 million (€124.9 million) in 2025, supported by strong performance in refrigeration, industrial applications, and growth across Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, and the United States. However, domestic demand in Germany remained weak due to low construction activity, despite some improvement. Profitability remained s

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

Amaal Awards $490 Million Contract for Mansory Branded Luxury Tower in Dubai UAE: Amaal has awarded a $490 million contract to Citic Middle East Contracting for the construction of Mansory Residences in Dubai, a luxury branded residential tower scheduled for completion in Q4 2028. The project is backed by Citic Construction and represents the world’s first residential development under the Mansory brand. The contractor will manage full construction works, including structural

India Construction Costs Surge Sharply, With Retail and Luxury Housing Bearing the Highest Pressure INDIA: In India, construction costs have risen significantly, with retail, luxury housing and premium real estate segments facing the steepest increases. According to industry analysis, mall construction costs have surged by around 13.9% over the past two years, while luxury housing costs have increased by about 12.8%, driven by higher design complexity, rising material prices

Iran Conflict Pushes Up Construction Costs and Disrupts Housing and Agriculture in Australia AUSTRALIA: The ongoing Iran war is driving significant economic pressure across Australia, particularly in construction and agriculture. Rising global fuel and material costs are increasing home building expenses, worsening the country’s housing shortage and threatening delivery of new housing targets. Builders and economists warn that affordability challenges may intensify if cost in

London Housing Crisis Worsens as 42,000 Planned Homes Are Abandoned UNITED KINGDOM: London’s housing shortage has deepened after developers scrapped or repurposed plans for at least 42,000 homes over the past three years, according to industry analysis. Of these, around 30,000 had already received planning permission, while 12,000 were part of local development plans. Many of these sites are now being converted into warehouses, data centres, self-storage facilities and hotels

Construction Investment Declines in February CANADA: Building construction investment fell by $503.2 million (2.1%) in February compared with January. The overall decline was driven by reduced residential spending, which dropped by $552.3 million to $16.0 billion. However, single-family construction provided some support, increasing by $77.7 million (1.1%) to $7.4 billion, partially offsetting a sharper contraction in multi-family housing investment. Source: Hardlines

TOTO Japan: TOTO announced that it will gradually resume accepting new orders for its unit bath products starting April 20, 2026, following improved visibility in raw material procurement. The company had previously restricted orders due to supply uncertainties, but recent developments have allowed it to better assess material availability and restart operations in a phased manner. The decision reflects easing supply constraints in key inputs used for bathroom products. Howev

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