Commercial service organizations are watching AI tools closely, trying to figure out which ones actually deliver results in the field. Helios HVACR, a nationwide commercial service provider operating in more than 40 states, just made a significant move by deploying Bluon's HVACR AI diagnostics platform across its entire field operation. The goal is straightforward: faster … [Read more...] about Helios Bets on AI Diagnostics with Nationwide Bluon Rollout
Industry News
Cooperative Supplier Networks: The Future of HVACR Sourcing
Bob Allomong is describing something the industry talks about but rarely executes: cooperative supplier networks built on genuine alignment rather than forced partnerships. His perspective sits at the intersection of manufacturers, distributors, and contractors, where integration challenges play out in real time. In this piece, he makes the case for cooperative supplier … [Read more...] about Cooperative Supplier Networks: The Future of HVACR Sourcing
HVAC Market Slowdown Signals a Prolonged Industry Reset
The HVAC market slowdown is no longer a matter of debate or selective interpretation. Fourth-quarter performance came in worse than already lowered expectations, pricing pressure is beginning to surface in markets that historically hold firm, and inventory normalization remains unfinished. This isn't a collapse scenario, but it is a clear signal that the industry reset is … [Read more...] about HVAC Market Slowdown Signals a Prolonged Industry Reset
Heather Ripley Launches Updated Next Level Now Book for Home Services Growth
Heather Ripley has released an updated edition of her book, Next Level Now, at a time when brand perception plays an increasingly central role in how home service companies compete. Every contractor builds a brand, whether intentionally or by default, yet many businesses leave that process to chance through benign neglect rather than strategy. The Next Level Now book … [Read more...] about Heather Ripley Launches Updated Next Level Now Book for Home Services Growth
Voice of the Contractor Data Reveals How HVAC Contractors Really Buy in 2025
Executive Summary Six years of Voice of the Contractor data show a channel that is largely satisfied but increasingly pragmatic. Contractors value relationships and rate their primary suppliers positively, yet loyalty is conditional and share shifts quickly when availability, pricing, or execution fall short. Growth continues, multi-trade businesses are expanding, and … [Read more...] about Voice of the Contractor Data Reveals How HVAC Contractors Really Buy in 2025
APR Supply’s Baltimore Expansion Strengthens the Region’s HVACR Supply Chain
The APR Baltimore expansion marks an important shift in how contractors across the Greater Baltimore region may access inventory, product breadth, and day-to-day support. With APR Supply entering due diligence to acquire McArdle & Walsh, the market is watching what a fourth-generation distributor with strong operational discipline can bring to a region defined by … [Read more...] about APR Supply’s Baltimore Expansion Strengthens the Region’s HVACR Supply Chain
Carrier and Women in HVACR Award $55,000 in Scholarships to Advance Women in the Trades
The HVACR industry is stronger when more people have a real chance to contribute, lead and build meaningful careers. That is why the Women in HVACR scholarships program, in partnership with Carrier, stands out. Their joint effort is not simply another feel-good moment. It is a concrete investment in the next generation of technicians, engineers and business leaders who will … [Read more...] about Carrier and Women in HVACR Award $55,000 in Scholarships to Advance Women in the Trades
Home Depot and Lowe’s Q3 2025 Results: What Their Numbers Tell Us About the Year Ahead
Home Depot and Lowe’s Q3 2025 results are in, giving us a clearer sense of how the home-improvement market is holding up as we head into 2026. Sales were steady, digital use continued to climb, and both companies leaned heavily on their Pro strategies, even as consumers remained cautious about big-ticket projects. There is plenty of nuance behind the topline numbers, and Kevin … [Read more...] about Home Depot and Lowe’s Q3 2025 Results: What Their Numbers Tell Us About the Year Ahead
Lantern’s AI Forecasting: A New Era for Distributors
I had the chance to sit in on a demo of Lantern’s AI forecasting platform recently, and it was one of the more compelling tools I have seen in a while. The team is tackling a problem every distributor knows too well. Distributors are carrying more inventory than they want, chasing fill rates they cannot afford to miss, and leaning on ERP rules that were written when the … [Read more...] about Lantern’s AI Forecasting: A New Era for Distributors
AI Adoption in Distribution: How Leadership and the Right Partner Drive Lasting Change
The distribution industry is at an inflection point. Tariffs, labor shortages, and margin pressure are reshaping how companies compete, while AI adoption in distribution is changing how work gets done. The challenge is no longer whether to adopt AI, but how to implement it in a way that delivers immediate results and builds lasting competitive advantage. In this article, … [Read more...] about AI Adoption in Distribution: How Leadership and the Right Partner Drive Lasting Change
Watsco’s Q3 2025 Results: Better Than Feared, but Not Out of the Woods Yet
Watsco’s Q3 2025 results offered a sigh of relief for HVAC distributors and manufacturers watching the A2L refrigerant transition unfold. Earnings per share of $3.98 missed Wall Street consensus by about 6 percent but came in ahead of buy-side expectations. That mix of mild disappointment and cautious optimism perfectly sums up where the HVAC channel sits today: weathering … [Read more...] about Watsco’s Q3 2025 Results: Better Than Feared, but Not Out of the Woods Yet
Midyear Course Correction: “Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the mouth”
TL; DR: To paraphrase the inestimable words of “Iron” Mike Tyson, plans rarely survive contact with the market. Like a sailboat tacking into the wind, the best distributors keep course-correcting until they reach their goal. The best distributors do not throw them out when things change. They adapt. Midyear reviews turn assumptions into action by checking what the market … [Read more...] about Midyear Course Correction: “Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the mouth”
Mingledorff’s Caffeine and Coils Podcast: How an 86-Year-Old Brand Stays Fresh
Jenny Brown and Deanna Lassiter explain how Mingledorff's Caffeine and Coils became both a creative outlet and a living symbol of their transparency, innovation, and people-first culture. By Chuck Labow | HVACRtrends.com When Mingledorff's Caffeine and Coils first launched, it wasn’t just another company podcast—it was a natural continuation of something Mingledorff’s had … [Read more...] about Mingledorff’s Caffeine and Coils Podcast: How an 86-Year-Old Brand Stays Fresh
William Blair HVAC Survey 2025: Demand Cools, Repair Rises
The third quarter of 2025 has been a rough ride for the HVAC industry. According to the William Blair's 2025 HVAC Survey, distributors and manufacturers reported softening demand, persistent sticker shock, and an unusually cool summer—all combining to create what the firm called a “rough out there” environment. The William Blair HVAC Index fell 3% year over year, one of the … [Read more...] about William Blair HVAC Survey 2025: Demand Cools, Repair Rises
What Happens When the Market Moves: Scenario Planning for HVACR Distributors
TL;DR: Most leading forecasts point to slower growth or a mild recession in 2026. Scenario planning gives HVACR distributors a way to prepare for that reality. The goal is not to predict the downturn’s depth, but to be ready for it. Good plans bend before they break. Economic Outlook for 2026 Forecasts from the IMF, Deloitte, OECD, and the University of Michigan … [Read more...] about What Happens When the Market Moves: Scenario Planning for HVACR Distributors
