U.S. Justice Department Sues California Cities Over Natural Gas Bans U.S.: The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the cities of Morgan Hill and Petaluma in California over local ordinances that ban natural gas infrastructure and appliances in new construction. Filed in the Northern District of California, the complaint argues that the bans increase energy costs for consumers and undermine U.S. energy dominance by restricting federally regulated appliances

Belize Introduces New Import Rules for Cooling Equipment to Cut Emissions Belize: Belize is introducing the Environmental Protection (Ozone Layer Protection) Regulations, 2025 in phases over the next three months to regulate the import of refrigerators, air conditioners, and other cooling equipment. The Department of the Environment (DOE) said the regulations will tighten controls on refrigerants to protect the ozone layer and reduce harmful emissions. Under the new rules, bu

US Incentive Changes Raise Home Electrification Costs from 2026 USA: The removal of United States federal tax credits for residential solar panels, battery storage systems and heat pumps from the end of 2025 is expected to increase the cost of home electrification from 2026. While the change does not raise the upfront price of equipment, it eliminates the ability for homeowners with tax liability to offset costs through incentives. A typical residential solar and battery inst

Western Chicago Residential HVAC Business Changes Ownership USA: A residential heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) company serving the western Chicago area has been sold, according to business broker Patrick Lange. The transaction involves a company founded in 1998 that has operated in the local market for over two decades. At the time of sale, the business reported annual revenue of approximately USD 1.53 million (EUR 1.41 million). The sale was completed as par

A. O. Smith Completes Acquisition of Leonard Valve USA: A. O. Smith Corporation has completed the acquisition of Leonard Valve through an all-cash transaction valued at USD 470 million (EUR 430 million), subject to customary adjustments. After accounting for estimated tax benefits, the transaction value is approximately USD 412 million (EUR 377 million) and was financed through borrowing under a new credit agreement. The acquisition expands A. O. Smith’s activities in water m

A. O. Smith Shows Resilience and Long-Term Growth Potential Amid Challenges North America: A. O. Smith Corporation reported continued momentum in its North America segment, supported by higher volumes in commercial water heaters and boilers. The company indicated that sales from its North America boiler business are expected to increase by around 4-6 percent in 2025, while sales from the commercial water heater business are projected to rise at a low single-digit rate. The co

High-Efficiency and Low-NOx Heating Systems USA: Starting in 2026, all manufactured water heaters and furnace units installed in Colorado must meet high efficiency standards or ultra-low nitrogen oxide (NOx) emission ratings, aimed at reducing air pollution, improving air quality, and potentially lowering utility bills. Low NOx equipment significantly cuts harmful emissions by drawing combustion air from outside, making it safer for indoor use. While the law does not require

Home Electrification US: Federal tax credits for residential solar panels, batteries and heat pumps expired at the end of 2025, removing incentives that previously saved homeowners significant amounts and making home electrification more expensive from 2026. The lapse of the 30% tax credit does not raise equipment prices directly but ends the ability for homeowners with tax liabilities to offset their taxes, with a typical solar and battery system previously generating credit

Samsung Electronics PERU: Samsung Electronics is strengthening its presence in the Latin American HVAC market by expanding beyond product sales into installation and aftersales capabilities. The company has opened a new Samsung HVAC Professional Training Center in Chiclayo, Peru, aimed at training engineers and installers in advanced installation and maintenance. The initiative is part of a broader B2B strategy to improve service quality and competitiveness in a region where

Heat Pump UNITED STATES: US homeowners face higher heat pump installation costs as the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit ends on December 31. Under the program, households could claim up to $3,200 annually, including up to $2,000 for qualifying heat pumps, covering 30% of eligible costs. From January 2026, new installations will no longer qualify, removing a key mechanism that helped offset upfront costs and reduce long-term heating expenses. The credit applied only to

United States UNITED STATES: National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA) forecasts that United States household heating costs will rise 9.2% this winter, roughly three times inflation, driven by higher electricity and natural gas prices and colder weather. Average heating spending is expected to reach $995, up $84 year-on-year. Electricity-heated homes face the steepest increase (+12.2%), followed by natural gas users (+8.4%), while heating oil and propane costs

Kohler Marks Two Decades of Retail Stores with New US Openings USA: Kohler Co. has announced the opening of three new Kohler Stores in Fort Lauderdale, Tampa and Salt Lake City, as it marks the twentieth anniversary of its retail store concept. The stores provide interactive spaces where customers can view and experience products from the company’s portfolio, including bathroom and kitchen fixtures, connected home technologies and curated collections. The openings form part o

Change Trade Name to “GENERAL Inc.” Global: Fujitsu General Air Conditioning will change its name to General Inc HVAC Solutions Ltd as part of a broader global rebranding exercise after the acquisition of the parent company by Paloma Rheem Holdings. The Japanese parent company completed the sale of its air conditioning business in August, and in October Paloma announced that the group would be renamed General Inc. The name change will be rolled out across all domestic and ov

Kohler Store USA: Kohler Co. is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its Kohler Stores with plans to open three new locations in Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, and Salt Lake City, the company announced. Kohler Stores are designed as immersive, interactive spaces where customers can experience a wide range of offerings from Kohler’s brand portfolio, including bathroom and kitchen fixtures, smart home solutions, wellness-focused products, and exclusive collections such as Kohler x Stud

Hoffman & Hoffman to Invest $8.5M and Create 60 Jobs in Lexington County USA: Hoffman & Hoffman, a leading HVAC company, has announced plans to invest $8.5 million in a new facility in West Columbia, Lexington County, signaling a major expansion of its operations in South Carolina. The project will consolidate the company’s existing offices into a single, modern location while enhancing its capacity to deliver comprehensive heating, ventilation, and air conditioning services

IKEA USA: IKEA is planning to increase the share of products manufactured in the United States as higher tariffs continue to drive up the cost of importing furniture, according to a Reuters report. The move represents a shift for the Swedish furniture retailer, as only around 15% of the products currently sold in its US stores are domestically made, compared with significantly higher levels of local production in regions such as Europe and Asia. IKEA previously operated a man

Middleby to Sell Majority Stake in Residential Kitchen Unit, Including European Brands, for USD 885 Million United States/Europe: Middleby has entered a definitive agreement to sell a 51 percent stake in its Residential Kitchen business to affiliates of 26North Partners, valuing the unit at USD 885 million. As part of the transaction, several European brands, including AGA Rangemaster, previously wholly owned by Middleby, will move under the ownership of 26North Partners. Mid

Brazil Sets Out Stage I Plan for National HFC Phase-Down BRAZIL: Brazil has unveiled its proposed Stage I National HFC Phase-Down strategy, reaffirming its commitment to the Kigali Amendment. Running from 2027 to 2032, the plan targets a 10% reduction in HFC consumption through regulatory measures, sectoral actions and adoption of low-GWP technologies. Proposed steps include banning certain high-GWP refrigerants from 2029, updating energy standards, and supporting industry tr

Daikin Applied Invests USD 163 Million in New R&D Test Lab in Minnesota U.S.: Daikin Applied has announced a USD 163 million investment to build a 71,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art R&D test lab at its Plymouth, Minnesota headquarters, reinforcing its commitment to advancing HVAC innovation across chillers, air handlers, heat pumps, and hyperscale data-center cooling technologies. The facility has begun phased commissioning of nine test cells, with full completion expected

International Valves and Taps Alliance Launched to Boost Global Collaboration United States/Europe/Japan: The International Valves and Taps Alliance was officially launched on December 10th, bringing together leading associations of valve and tap manufacturers from the United States, Europe, and Japan. The new global alliance aims to enhance international knowledge sharing and provide common tools to tackle technological, regulatory, and environmental challenges across the va