Brazil Approves Stage I of HFC Consumption Reduction Programme Brazil: Brazil's Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change has approved Stage I of the national Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) Consumption Reduction Programme to support implementation of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. The programme targets refrigeration and air-conditioning applications and aims to reduce HFC consumption by 10% by 2029 and 12% by 2032 compared with the established baseline. The mini

US Trade School Enrolment and Revenue Rise as Demand for Skilled Trades Grows USA: A new report by Validated Insights shows that the US trade school sector expanded more rapidly than expected in 2025, driven by strong demand for skilled workers. Trade school revenue increased by 11.4% year-on-year to US$19.1 billion, supported by rising enrolment and continued employer investment in workforce training. Growing infrastructure projects, including AI and data centres, are also b

U.S. Ends Trade Deal Talks with Mexico and Canada USA: The US administration has decided not to renew the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) in its current form, initiating annual reviews as negotiations over possible revisions continue. Although the agreement remains valid until 2036 unless amended or replaced, the decision has created uncertainty for North American manufacturing and cross-border supply chains. The proposed changes aim to encourage domestic manufacturing and

US HVAC Industry Supports SMART Energy Efficiency Bill to Simplify Compliance Rules USA: Four leading US HVAC trade associations have endorsed the SMART Energy Efficiency Standards Act, which proposes changing compliance requirements for furnaces, central air conditioners and heat pumps from the installation date to the manufacturing date. The groups argue that the change would simplify compliance, prevent legally manufactured products from becoming unsellable inventory and p

Home Depot Strengthens Position as a Key Player in the US Home Improvement Market USA: Home Depot continues to strengthen its position as one of North America's leading home improvement retailers, benefiting from demand for housing repair, renovation and maintenance projects. The company serves both professional contractors and do-it-yourself customers through its extensive store network and integrated omnichannel platform, offering in-store shopping, online ordering and home

Hoffman & Hoffman Acquires Aeromechanical to Expand into Florida and the Gulf Coast Market U.S.: Greensboro, North Carolina-based Hoffman & Hoffman has acquired Gulf Breeze, Florida-based Aeromechanical, marking its first expansion into Florida and strengthening its presence across the Gulf Coast commercial HVAC market. Announced on June 30, the acquisition enables Aeromechanical to continue operating from its Gulf Breeze location under the existing leadership team while prov

Sila Services Expands Virginia Presence with Acquisition of Davis Heating and Air Conditioning U.S.: Sila Services has expanded its presence in Virginia, United States, by acquiring Davis Heating and Air Conditioning Company, a residential HVAC, plumbing and electrical services provider founded in 1947. The acquisition extends Sila’s footprint across Western Virginia, including the Roanoke, Lynchburg and Danville markets, while strengthening its Mid-Atlantic platform. Davis,

Oil Dexco Strengthens Position in Brazil Building Materials Market with Multi-Brand Strategy BRAZIL: Brazil-based Dexco S.A. continues to strengthen its presence in the construction and home improvement sector through its diversified portfolio of wood panels, sanitary ware, and ceramic tiles. The company serves both residential and commercial markets, leveraging a multi-brand strategy to cater to different consumer segments across Brazil and Latin America. Supported by manage

Masco Strengthens Home Improvement Business Amid Evolving North American Housing Market UNITED STATES: Masco Corporation continues to reinforce its position in the North American home improvement market by focusing on branded building products that cater to both new construction and renovation demand. The company's portfolio, which includes bathroom and kitchen fixtures, plumbing products, and decorative hardware, benefits from ongoing repair and remodeling activity, helping

Appeals Court Upholds Emissions Rule for Heating Appliances in Southern California USA: A federal appeals court has upheld a regulation introduced by the South Coast Air Quality Management District that restricts the manufacture, sale and installation of certain nitrogen oxide-emitting appliances in four counties of Southern California. In a 2–1 decision, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act does not prevent states

US Construction Employment Increases by 11,000 Jobs in June USA: Construction employment in the United States increased by 11,000 jobs in June, according to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on 2 July. The construction unemployment rate stood at 4.7%, while the overall unemployment rate across all industries declined to 4.2%, remaining 0.1 percentage points higher than a year earlier. Over the past 12 months, construction employment increased by 64,000 jobs, rep

US House Passes Bipartisan ROAD to Housing Act USA: The US House of Representatives passed the 21st Century Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream (ROAD) to Housing Act (H.R. 6644) on 23 June by a vote of 358 to 32. The legislation aims to increase the supply of affordable housing through measures covering land-use and zoning reforms, housing repairs, multifamily financing, environmental review processes and community banking. It also includes provisions supporting manufa

Canada and the Philippines Target 2026 Free Trade Agreement Canada and the Philippines have agreed to conclude negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement by the end of 2026 as part of a broader strategic partnership covering trade, defence, energy, labour mobility and tourism. The agreement was announced by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney following talks with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Vancouver during the Philippine leader’s first official visit t

HVAC CANADA: As part of the federal government's pre-budget consultation process, HRAI submitted its recommendations in May, continuing its annual practice of providing policy input. The submission was developed based on feedback from HRAI members and reviewed by the association’s Policy and Priorities Committee. HRAI’s recommendations focused on four key priorities: Protecting Canada’s HVACR industry from potential trade disputes with the United States by preventing tariff

HVAC USA: Three HVAC industry associations have filed a legal challenge against portions of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Technology Transitions Reconsideration Rule, arguing that the revisions could drive up refrigerant costs and disrupt the industry's transition to lower-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants. The petition was filed by the Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI), the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Cont

Shower USA: USA Cabinet Store has launched a free Walk-In Shower Layout Simulator as part of its updated "22 Walk-In Shower Ideas in 2026" guide, addressing growing demand for accessible and functional bathroom designs amid changing demographics and remodeling trends. The launch comes as the United States enters the "Peak 65" period, during which approximately 4.1 million Americans turn 65 each year. According to the AARP 2024 Home & Community Preferences Survey, 75% of adul

Amana Recalls 13,500 Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps in the US Over Fire Hazard Risk USA: Daikin Comfort Technologies has recalled more than 13,500 Amana window air conditioners, through-the-wall units and heat pumps in the United States due to a potential fire and burn hazard. The defect may allow the heating element to remain energised during a ground fault even when the unit is switched off. The affected products were sold between April and December 2025 and are commonly i

Ontario Expands Investment in Skilled Trades Training CANADA: The Government of Ontario has announced an investment of approximately US$ 5.7 million (CAD 8 million) to strengthen skilled trades training across Northern Ontario. Funding has been allocated to three training projects supporting individuals facing employment barriers and Indigenous communities, helping prepare participants for careers in construction, environmental monitoring and other skilled trades. In addition

Persistent Affordability Challenges and Rising Economic Uncertainty Squeeze U.S. Housing Conditions U.S.: Persistent affordability challenges and rising economic uncertainty are weakening U.S. housing conditions, with household growth slowing for the third consecutive year from an average of 2 million in 2021 to 1.1 million in 2025 due to weaker labor markets, student debt and financial uncertainty, while residential mobility fell to a record-low 11.2% in 2024 and net interna

21st Century ROAD to Housing Act Clears Congress to Boost U.S. Housing Affordability U.S.: The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act Clears Congress to Boost U.S. Housing Affordability after passing the U.S. House of Representatives with a bipartisan 358-32 vote, clearing Congress and awaiting presidential approval, although President Trump postponed the planned signing ceremony while calling for the passage of the SAVE AMERICA ACT. The legislation aims to improve housing affordab