The next generation of HVAC professionals is already making its mark. A new Contracting Business feature highlights six technicians under 25 who are building careers in the industry while continuing to develop their technical skills, take on new responsibilities, and learn from experienced professionals.

Across the interviews, the technicians point to training, mentorship, hands-on experience, and a willingness to keep learning as important parts of their growth. Their experiences also highlight the variety of career paths available in HVAC, from service and installation to leadership, training, and eventually business ownership.

Click here to meet the six young technicians and read their stories.

HVAC contractors continue to navigate changing costs for equipment, materials, labor, transportation, and other inputs. As those costs shift, maintaining healthy margins requires more than simply reacting to each increase. Contractors are increasingly reviewing pricing, job costs, and margins on a regular basis to keep up with changing conditions.

The smaller increases can add up, too. Keeping truck stock, service parts, equipment, and other material costs current can help contractors avoid quietly losing margin. Clear communication with customers is also an important part of managing price changes and maintaining trust. Click here to read more.

Contractors increasingly expect distributors to have essential parts available when they need them, along with accurate inventory and delivery information. That demand is driving HVACR distribution toward more connected systems that link warehouse operations, inventory management, transportation, and customer service.

Real-time inventory visibility, standardized warehouse processes, automated route planning, and digital proof of delivery are helping distributors improve accuracy and efficiency. Faster delivery options can also help contractors get critical parts when a job cannot wait until the next business day.

For contractors, these changes can mean fewer delays, better visibility into orders, and more reliable access to the parts needed to keep jobs moving. 
Click here to read more.

The second 45-day comment period for the proposed Glitch/Errata updates to the 9th Edition (2026) Florida Building Code is now open. Following the August 18–21 Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meetings, the committees’ actions and meeting reports are available for review and comment.

Comments must be submitted by midnight on October 8, 2026. Members who wish to provide feedback should submit comments directly to Mo Madani at mo.madani@myfloridalicense.com.

Click here to review the TAC actions, meeting reports, and proposed code changes.

Four major HVACR industry associations, ACCA, AHRI, HARDI, and PHCC, have asked U.S. trade officials to preserve the benefits of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and provide tariff relief for qualifying HVACR equipment, parts, and components. The groups say a predictable North American trade framework is important to manufacturers, distributors, contractors, and the broader HVACR supply chain.

The request comes as tariffs continue to affect equipment and component costs. The associations are specifically seeking workable rules for USMCA-originating HVACR products and continued exemptions from certain tariff actions. With equipment and components moving through North American supply chains, the issue could continue to have implications for pricing and availability across the industry. Click here to read more.

The transition to A2L refrigerants is changing how VRF systems are designed and installed, with greater attention being placed on refrigerant charge, room size, leak detection, and code compliance. While the added sensors, controls, and design considerations have created a learning curve for contractors, industry experts say the core benefits of VRF remain.

For contractors, the shift means more planning and coordination during system design, along with continued education on A2L requirements and new technologies. Newer VRF systems can also offer benefits such as refrigerant leak detection, improved zoning, energy efficiency, and reduced refrigerant usage. Click here to read more.

HVAC and plumbing contractor AllTech Services has grown its YouTube channel to more than 1.3 million subscribers in just a year and a half. The company uses the platform for more than marketing, incorporating technician education, recruiting, customer service information, community events, and behind-the-scenes content.

Owner Abe Zarou says YouTube has become an important way for potential customers to get familiar with the company before hiring, particularly as consumers increasingly turn to digital platforms and AI to find home service providers. The company produces a mix of short-form and long-form videos, with much of the content created in-house. Click here to read more.

AI is becoming a new starting point for homeowners looking for help with repairs, maintenance, and upgrades. Anthropic’s Claude has integrated with Thumbtack, allowing users to receive recommendations for local home service contractors and hire them without leaving the AI platform.

The development reflects a broader shift in how customers discover contractors, with companies such as Thumbtack, Angi, Yelp, and TaskRabbit building connections with AI platforms. For HVAC contractors, this could make online visibility and how businesses appear in AI-powered searches increasingly important. Click here to read more.

The second 45-day comment period for the proposed Glitch/Errata updates to the 9th Edition (2026) Florida Building Code is now open. Following the August 18–21 Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meetings, the committees’ actions and meeting reports are available for review and comment.

Comments must be submitted by midnight on October 8, 2026. Members who wish to provide feedback should submit comments directly to Mo Madani at mo.madani@myfloridalicense.com.

Click here to review the TAC actions, meeting reports, and proposed code changes.

OpenAI is expanding ChatGPT advertising with a focus on performance-based campaigns designed to generate measurable actions such as appointment bookings, purchases, and contact form submissions. The move could be especially relevant to local service businesses, including HVAC contractors, as ChatGPT becomes another way consumers discover businesses and services.

Why it matters: As more homeowners use AI tools to research services and make purchasing decisions, ChatGPT could become another channel for generating local leads. The advertising platform is still developing, but it is something contractors should keep an eye on as AI continues to change how customers find businesses. 

Click here to read more.