HVAC USA: Dual fuel HVAC systems, which combine electric heat pumps with fossil-fuel furnaces, are gaining traction as they offer year-round comfort and improved energy efficiency without requiring full electrification upfront. Recent advancements in cold-climate heat pump technology have further expanded their operating range, making these hybrid systems increasingly viable even in colder regions and strengthening their long-term relevance. Market trends indicate strong grow

Heat Pumps USA: Recent federal energy policy changes are introducing fresh uncertainty for HVACR contractors planning investments around electrification and energy efficiency incentives. The United States House of Representatives passed the Homeowner Energy Freedom Act with a 210–199 vote, a measure that seeks to repeal $5.7 billion in programs under the Inflation Reduction Act supporting home electrification rebates, contractor training, and building energy code adoption. Ac

HVAC USA: Companies that manufacture or import equipment or products containing plastic may be required to report to Canada’s Plastics Registry. The Registry mandates annual disclosure of the volume of plastic produced or imported into Canada, whether within products or their packaging. Reporting is structured in three phases, with two particularly relevant to the HVACR industry. Phase 1 covers products that may enter residential waste streams, such as plastic packaging, elec

Refrigerant USA: Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) announced that on March 27, 2026, a New York appellate court temporarily prevented the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation from enforcing its ban on refrigerants R-404A and R-507A, commonly used in commercial refrigeration systems. The decision extends enforcement flexibility beyond the March 31 deadline as the court reviews HARDI’s request for a preliminary inju

Refrigerant USA: A New York appeals court has temporarily blocked the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) from enforcing a ban on two refrigerants used to maintain commercial refrigeration systems across the state. The Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court, Third Department has also issued a show-cause order as part of the ongoing legal challenge to the state’s refrigerant regulations filed by Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigera

HVAC USA: New York City is intensifying its push toward building sustainability through a comprehensive program aimed at improving energy efficiency and transparency across large properties. According to information from the NYC Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice and the NYC Office of Energy and Sustainability, the city has introduced a Sustainable Building Program targeting properties larger than 25,000 square feet. As part of the initiative, these “covered

HVAC USA: For decades, HVAC technicians have depended on hands-on experience, manuals, phone support, and intuition to diagnose and repair complex systems. While these skills remain essential, a new tool is transforming field operations: artificial intelligence (AI). No longer limited to large corporations or data specialists, AI is now readily available through smartphones, tablets, and cloud-based platforms, making it highly accessible for technicians in the field. It is he

water heater USA: Starting January 1, 2027, all new equipment installed during residential hot water heater retrofits in Vancouver must meet 100% efficiency standards. This requirement applies to existing one- to three-storey homes. According to the city, water heating accounts for roughly 25% of household energy use in British Columbia and is one of the largest contributors to residential carbon emissions, second only to space heating. The city also noted that upgrading to a

Energy Star Program USA: The U.S. Department of Energy is set to take over the Energy Star program, a move that could reshape its funding structure and better align its rating tiers with other federal standards. As of March 3, the program has been transferred from the Environmental Protection Agency under a memorandum of agreement, designating the DOE as the lead agency. The agreement states that all Energy Star-related activities—including partnership agreements, trademarks,

Raw material USA: Donald Trump has issued an executive proclamation revising how Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminium, and copper are calculated. However, according to Stan Kolbe of the Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA), the change offers limited relief for contractors already facing rising material costs, particularly for aluminium and specialty steel. Kolbe noted that while the revised tariff structure may alter calculation methods

Home Depot USA: The Home Depot is set to expand its presence across the U.S. in 2026 with the addition of 12 new stores, covering more than 1.6 million square feet of retail space across eight states. Texas will see the highest number of openings with four stores, followed by Florida with two, while Arizona, Arkansas, California, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Utah will each host new locations. Despite a broader trend of retailers reducing physical store networks, the company is st

HVAC USA: Lowe's has launched a new “associate-powered” annual subscription service, HomeCare+, for members of its MyLowe’s Rewards program. Priced at $99 per year, the offering provides seven in-home maintenance services designed to help homeowners manage routine upkeep more easily. The company stated that the program will be accessible to over 75% of households across the U.S. The subscription includes two in-home visits annually, during which local store associates can per

Bed Bath & Beyond USA: Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., the parent company of Bed Bath & Beyond, Overstock, buybuy BABY, and Kirkland’s, has signed a letter of intent to acquire the equity interests and most assets of F9 Brands Inc. The transaction is valued at approximately $150 million, comprising $37 million in cash and around 16 million shares of BBBY stock priced at $7.00 per share, reflecting a current value of about $107 million. F9 Brands owns and operates businesses including

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances USA: (PFAS) are becoming an increasing concern for homeowners and building owners, as these chemicals do not easily break down in the environment. With improved testing methods, PFAS are now being detected more frequently and at lower concentrations in water systems, raising both awareness and concern. What was once largely overlooked is now a key issue for many. Regulatory developments are accelerating this shift. The Environmental Protect

Home Improvement USA: As pricing pressures continue to influence the home improvement market, a growing number of U.S. homeowners are considering product origin in their purchasing decisions. According to new data from the Home Improvement Research Institute, nearly one in three homeowners takes into account whether a product is made in the U.S. when buying home improvement materials, tools, and products—highlighting domestic manufacturing as a key differentiator for a signif

Home Depot USA: The Home Depot has introduced more than a dozen AI-driven capabilities, with several additional solutions currently in development. According to CIO Angie Brown, the focus is not just on adding new features but on enhancing convenience and improving both customer and associate experiences. These innovations complement Pro-focused tools such as blueprint takeoffs, real-time delivery tracking for large orders, and materials list builders. Behind the scenes, the

Kathy Hochul Announces $150 Million Funding for Energy-Efficient Heat Pump Systems in New York U.S.: Governor Kathy Hochul announced up to USD150 million in supplemental funding under the Green Small Buildings Program, administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewal, to support installation of energy-efficient heat pump systems in small residential buildings across New York. Part of the State’s USD 1 billion Sustainable Green Futures program, the initiative aims to

Construction and Design Sector Shows Cautious Optimism for Q2 2026 Amid Cost Pressures and Mixed Activity Trends USA: In the United States, the Q2 2026 Houzz Pro Industry Barometer shows cautious optimism after a weak first quarter. The Expected Business Activity Indicator for construction rose to 58 from 55, driven by new committed projects increasing to 59. Design-build firms showed stronger confidence at 66, while build-only remodelers fell to 50. However, recent activity

Construction Input Costs Rise Sharply in March Amid Oil Price Volatility USA: Construction input prices increased significantly in March, rising 2.2% month-on-month and 4.8% compared to a year earlier the fastest annual growth since January 2023. Non-residential input costs climbed slightly higher, up 2.3% monthly and 5.4% annually. The surge was largely driven by a sharp 20.2% increase in crude petroleum prices, linked to geopolitical tensions involving Iran. While natural g

Construction Confidence Strengthens as Backlog and Hiring Expectations Improve USA: Construction confidence improved in March, with backlog rising by 0.5 months to 8.6 months, recovering from earlier lows and reaching levels last seen in summer 2025. Data centre-related projects reported notably higher backlog levels than other sectors. Expectations for profit margins and staffing reached their highest points since early 2022, signalling strong industry optimism. Although sal