I recently read an article on LinkedIn with a headline that asked an “uncomfortable” question: Is private equity ruining home services? After reading & reflecting on the author’s argument, I think there's a better question for those of us specifically in HVAC/R: Private Equity Isn't Ruining HVAC/R. It's Changing the Definition of the HVAC/R Business. What happens to … [Read more...] about How PE is Changing the HVAC Contractor Landscape
Home Depot’s HVAC/R Strategy Is Getting Bigger
A few months ago, I wrote about Home Depot’s acquisition of Mingledorff’s and what it could mean for the future of HVAC/R distribution. Now we have another piece of the puzzle. This week, SRS Distribution announced its agreement to acquire Lohmiller & Co., a Denver-based HVAC/R distributor with four Colorado locations and approximately 220 employees. SRS, of course, … [Read more...] about Home Depot’s HVAC/R Strategy Is Getting Bigger
Today’s HVAC/R Contractor Scorecard
Twenty years ago, a contractor's scorecard looked something like this: Equipment Brand Price Relationship Today, it looks very different: Availability Pricing Delivery Service and Support Ease of Doing Business Equipment Brand The HVAC/R industry has changed. The question is whether manufacturers and wholesalers have changed with … [Read more...] about Today’s HVAC/R Contractor Scorecard
Mingledorff’s Sale: HVAC Distribution Consolidation Risks
Announced earlier this week, the acquisition of Mingledorff’s by The Home Depot via its SRS Distribution platform is another step in HVAC distribution consolidation, and a significant one. This is not just another deal. It signals a structural shift in how the channel may function going forward. The strategic rationale is straightforward: greater scale, expanded “Pro” reach, … [Read more...] about Mingledorff’s Sale: HVAC Distribution Consolidation Risks
When HVAC Distributor Loyalty Hurts Growth
HVAC distributor loyalty runs deep. Many wholesalers proudly carry the same manufacturer lines they brought on decades ago—often through multiple ownership changes, economic cycles, and market shifts. These long-term relationships are built on trust, shared growth, and mutual dependence. In an industry where reliability matters and failures are costly, loyalty feels not just … [Read more...] about When HVAC Distributor Loyalty Hurts Growth
The HVAC Technician Shortage: What 2031 Could Look
Why the HVAC Technician Shortage Is Getting Worse The HVAC technician shortage is not a future problem. It is already here, and its trajectory points somewhere the industry does not want to go. By 2031, if the pipeline does not change, the sector will be operating under serious strain: longer wait times, higher labor costs, slower technology adoption, and service markets that … [Read more...] about The HVAC Technician Shortage: What 2031 Could Look
