Watsco US: Watsco Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Jackson Supply Company, a major HVAC distributor operating across the United States Sunbelt region. Jackson Supply recorded annual sales of US$230 million in 2025 and serves approximately 5,000 customers through a network of 25 locations across states, including Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Arizona. The acquisition is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, s

Younger Generations Reshape Home Design Towards Functionality and Flexibility USA: Younger generations, particularly Millennials and Gen Z, are reshaping home design priorities towards functionality, adaptability and long-term usability, according to insights shared at the 2026 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show. Influenced by financial pressures, housing instability and broader uncertainty, they prefer efficient and flexible spaces over large or decorative ones. Premium design is

U.S. Housing Market Adapts to Higher Rates as Affordability Pressures Persist USA: The housing market has not experienced the expected post-rate-hike reset, according to a report. Higher mortgage rates have cooled demand and increased supply, but they have not delivered significant price relief, leaving affordability under strain. Analysts suggest the market has instead adjusted to a new normal of higher borrowing costs, limited supply balance and persistently elevated prices

Demographic Trends Set to Drive Growth in Kitchen and Bathroom Renovation Market USA: The kitchen and bathroom renovation market is expected to grow in 2026, driven by several demographic and financial factors, according to the National Kitchen & Bath Association. Record home equity, an ageing population and a strong focus on ageing-in-place upgrades are key drivers of demand. Older homeowners, who are less likely to move, are investing in long-term renovations such as access

Johnson Controls Acquires Nantum AI to Strengthen OpenBlue UNITED STATES: Johnson Controls has acquired Nantum AI to expand AI-driven energy optimization and control capabilities within its OpenBlue digital ecosystem. The acquisition adds proprietary algorithms that optimize real-time airflow based on occupancy, improve HVAC performance and reduce energy consumption across complex facilities such as healthcare campuses and advanced manufacturing sites. The first combined offe

Electrolux and Midea Form Joint Ventures in North America USA/Mexico: Electrolux Group has entered into a long-term strategic partnership with Midea Group to establish joint ventures in refrigeration and laundry manufacturing and sales across North America. The agreement includes a sales joint venture for food preservation products, alongside manufacturing joint ventures in Juarez, Mexico and Anderson, United States. The partnership is expected to commence in the third quarte

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

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

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

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

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

Housing Starts Ease in March 2026 Despite Stronger Year-to-Date Growth Trend CANADA: Housing starts in Canada declined by 6% in March 2026 to an annualised rate of 235,852 units, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. However, urban starts rose 10% year-on-year, while year-to-date activity increased 9% compared with 2025, indicating underlying resilience despite monthly volatility in construction activity. Source: Hardlines

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

Builder Confidence Falls in April 2026 as Costs, Interest Rates and Geopolitical Risks Weigh on Housing Market USA: Builder confidence in the single-family housing market declined sharply in April 2026, with the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index falling four points to 34, its lowest level since September 2025. Current sales conditions dropped to 37, future sales expectations fell to 42, and buyer traffic declined to 22. Sentiment weakened due to high interest rates, risin

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

Retail sales USA: National Retail Federation projects that retail sales will grow by 4.4% in 2026 compared to 2025, reaching approximately $5.6 trillion. This forecast is based on a newly enhanced methodology developed in collaboration with Oxford Economics. The projected growth is higher than the 10-year average annual increase of 3.6%, excluding the pandemic-affected period from 2020 to 2022. Source: National Retail federation

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