Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Jared Genser
Apex Service Partners Raises $3.9B Financing Package for Future HVAC Acquisitions
This post is for subscribers only Subscribe Already Have an Account? Log In
Apple Enters Smart Thermostat Market With LG and Schneider Electric
This post is for subscribers only Subscribe Already Have an Account? Log In
U.S. Cooling Equipment Shipments Grow for Seventh Straight Month
This post is for subscribers only Subscribe Already Have an Account? Log In
DOE Withdraws Commercial Furnace Test Rule After HVAC Industry Challenge
This post is for subscribers only Subscribe Already Have an Account? Log In
Heat Pumps Hold 58% of U.S. Heating Market After Tax Credit Expiration
This post is for subscribers only Subscribe Already Have an Account? Log In
Air Control Concepts Acquires Dolphin Equipment in New York
This post is for subscribers only Subscribe Already Have an Account? Log In
Schneider Electric to Acquire PTC in $22.6 Billion Industrial Software Deal
This post is for subscribers only Subscribe Already Have an Account? Log In
KKR's $2 Billion A1 Garage Deal Pushes Home-Service Valuations Higher
This post is for subscribers only Subscribe Already Have an Account? Log In
Private Equity Built the HVAC Platforms. Now It Is Finding Ways Not to Sell Them
This post is for subscribers only Subscribe Already Have an Account? Log In
HVAC Contractors Are Missing More Calls Than You Think. Penny Wants to Pick Them Up
A new AI receptionist built for the trades is betting that HVAC contractors don't need another lead-generation tool. They need to stop losing the leads they already have. HVAC contractors spend a lot of money making the phone ring. Google Local Services Ads. SEO. Trucks. Billboards. Facebook. Referrals. Maintenance agreements. But there is a much simpler problem sitting at the end of that funnel: Someone actually has to answer the phone.
August New-Home Sales Hit 684,000 Rate: What It Signals for HVAC
This post is for subscribers only Subscribe Already Have an Account? Log In
Field Study Finds Refrigerant Leaks in 5 of 81 Residential AC Systems
This post is for subscribers only Subscribe Already Have an Account? Log In
HVAC Industry Faces Major HFC Supply Cut in 2029
This post is for subscribers only Subscribe Already Have an Account? Log In
Brookfield to Acquire Reliance Worldwide in $2.8B Deal
This post is for subscribers only Subscribe Already Have an Account? Log In
Trane Launches New AI and Digital Building HVAC Tools
This post is for subscribers only Subscribe Already Have an Account? Log In
SPX Technologies Acquires FIS Water for $410M
SPX Technologies has made another sizeable HVAC acquisition. The Charlotte-based manufacturer announced September 15 that it completed the acquisition of FIS Water LLC for approximately $410 million in cash, including certain tax attributes. FIS Water develops engineered water-management and control products used primarily in commercial and industrial cooling systems.
ServiceTitan and Ferguson Are Moving Procurement Inside the Contractor's Software
The HVAC distributor counter isn’t disappearing. But more of what happens there is starting to move inside the contractor’s software. ServiceTitan and Ferguson announced an expansion of their integration last week that gives HVAC and plumbing contractors deeper access to Ferguson’s product catalog, customer-specific pricing and purchasing workflows directly inside ServiceTitan.
Watsco to Acquire $500M HVAC Distributor The Granite Group
This post is for subscribers only Subscribe Already Have an Account? Log In
Global HVAC Market Forecast to Reach $292.2B by 2031
This post is for subscribers only Subscribe Already Have an Account? Log In
Trane Has Nearly $6B of Backlog Scheduled for 2027 and Beyond
This post is for subscribers only Subscribe Already Have an Account? Log In
Summit Fire & Security Acquires Casteel Automatic Fire Protection
This post is for subscribers only Subscribe Already Have an Account? Log In
U.S. Producer Prices Rise 0.4% as Diesel Costs Surge
This post is for subscribers only Subscribe Already Have an Account? Log In
Tulsa Winlectric Opens 20,000-Square-Foot Contractor Supply Facility
Winsupply's contractor-distribution network has expanded again. Tulsa Winlectric has opened a 20,000-square-foot facility at 10702 E. 11th Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The location officially opened June 19 and is now serving the regional electrical market. Why an Electrical Branch Matters to HVAC Modern HVAC installations increasingly depend on electrical infrastructure. Heat pumps. Variable-speed systems. Communicating controls. Panels. Disconnects. Surge protection. EV and home-electrification projects.
Flint Group Launches Sale Process After Passing $400M Revenue
Another large HVAC and home-services platform may be heading toward a sale. Flint Group has hired investment bank William Blair to run a sale process. The process is still in its early stages, and there is no guarantee a transaction will happen. But the size of the business makes the development significant. Flint Has Grown Beyond $400M Flint generated more than $400 million in revenue in 2025, according to regional business publication Ingram's, as cited by Homepros.
Core & Main Reports $2.15B Q2 Sales as Fire Protection Grows
One of North America's largest infrastructure and mechanical-products distributors has returned to growth. Core & Main reported fiscal second-quarter net sales of $2.15 billion, up 2.5% year over year. The quarter ended August 2. Sales were also up 12.3% sequentially from $1.91 billion in the first quarter. Fire Protection Was One of the Stronger Categories Core & Main said fire-protection sales increased because of higher volumes and selling prices.
Crosstown Capital Acquires MAK Steel and Trinity Steel
Another private-equity firm is building a platform around skilled-trade contractors. Crosstown Capital Partners has acquired MAK Steel Services and Trinity Steel Services, two Indiana businesses serving commercial and industrial construction projects. MAK handles steel fabrication. Trinity handles erection and installation. Together, the businesses can take a project from shop drawings through final installation.
PuroClean Franchise Location Surpasses $20M in Gross Sales
One home-services franchise location has crossed a major revenue threshold. PuroClean says one of its franchise owners surpassed $20 million in gross sales from a single location for the first time in the company's history. The restoration company announced the milestone September 8 as part of a broader update on franchise growth. The figure is company-reported rather than independently verified. Multi-Unit Ownership Is Growing PuroClean says 44% of its franchise owners now operate multiple units.
Franklin Electric Acquires Cat Pumps in Deal Worth Up to $400M
Another major deal has landed in the mechanical equipment market. Franklin Electric has completed its acquisition of Cat Pumps in a transaction potentially worth $400 million. The Fort Wayne, Indiana-based company paid $350 million in cash, with the agreement providing for up to another $50 million in Franklin Electric stock if future performance targets are achieved. The transaction closed September 4 and was reported September 8.
Historic Rowhouse Heat Pump Retrofit Highlights Coordination Challenges
This post is for subscribers only Subscribe Already Have an Account? Log In
Why KKR Is Paying $2 Billion for a Garage Door Company
KKR is reportedly acquiring A1 Garage Door Service for around $2 billion. For HVAC contractors, the interesting part isn't that private equity likes home services. We already know that. It's why A1 may be worth so much. Across HVAC, private equity firms have spent years buying local contractors and assembling increasingly large groups. But many of those groups remain exactly that: groups. Different brands. Different websites. Different phone numbers. Different operating processes.
HVAC Distributor Sales Jump 6.7%. Is the Market Finally Recovering?
HVAC distributor sales posted their strongest monthly gain of 2026 in July, adding another sign that the residential market may finally be stabilizing after more than two years of weak demand. Sales at HARDI member distributors increased 6.7% year over year in July, according to the association’s latest TRENDS report. That was the best monthly gain of the year when comparing months with the same number of billing days.
Heat Pump Demand Holds After $2,000 Federal Tax Credit Ends
The federal incentive disappeared. Heat-pump customers did not. The expiration of the $2,000 federal heat-pump tax credit did not produce the dramatic market cliff many in HVAC expected. There was no massive buying rush immediately before the incentive vanished. And there was no corresponding collapse afterward. That Is Important Heat-pump growth has frequently been framed as a policy-driven phenomenon. The assumption was straightforward: Offer homeowners thousands of dollars. Sales increase.
Research Challenges Traditional HVAC Cooling Degree Days
One of the HVAC industry's most familiar measures of cooling demand may be missing an important part of the load. Humidity. Combining humidity with temperature can significantly alter estimates of cooling demand compared with conventional cooling degree days. Cooling Degree Days Are Built Around Temperature Cooling degree days are widely used to estimate how much cooling a building or region is likely to need.
CRH’s $8.5B Arcosa Acquisition Wins Shareholder Approval
One of the largest U.S. construction-sector acquisitions of the year has moved another step closer to completion. Arcosa shareholders approved the company’s acquisition by CRH on September 4, backing an all-cash transaction that values Arcosa at roughly $8.5 billion. CRH has agreed to pay $150 per share for 100% of the Dallas-based company. The transaction still requires remaining regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, with completion expected in the first quarter of 2027.
Richelieu Acquires Penrod Hardware Business With $70M in Sales
Another established U.S. construction supplier has changed hands. Canada-based Richelieu Hardware acquired the hardware division of The Penrod Company. Financial terms were not disclosed. The acquired business generates approximately $70 million in annual U.S. sales. Penrod Has Been Around for More Than a Century The Penrod Company traces its history to 1888, while the hardware division has operated in its current specialty for more than 35 years.
Hillman Completes $315 Million Kanebridge Acquisition
Another major transaction has closed inside the contractor supply chain. Hillman Solutions announced September 3 that it completed its acquisition of Kanebridge, a master distributor of commercial and specialty fasteners. The purchase price was approximately $315 million. Hillman Used New Debt to Fund the Deal Hillman's SEC filing shows the company added $200 million in senior secured term loans, alongside cash and revolving-credit borrowings, to finance the acquisition.
Federal OSHA Heat Standard Faces New Congressional Challenge
The federal government's proposed workplace heat rules are facing another challenge — and HVAC contractors should pay attention. On September 3, the National Federation of Independent Business told the House Education and Workforce Committee that OSHA's proposed federal heat standard could create significant new compliance costs for small employers. NFIB delivered a petition signed by more than 10,000 small-business owners opposing the proposal.
AIR Control Concepts Names New CEO as HVAC Platform Expands
One of commercial HVAC's fastest-growing acquisition platforms is changing its leadership structure — and the founder is moving even closer to M&A. AIR Control Concepts announced September 3 that Hayden Bland will become president and CEO on January 1, 2027, while founder Brad Hobbs moves into the executive-chair role. Hobbs will remain directly involved in acquisitions, strategic growth and relationships with customers and equipment manufacturers.
Truelink Capital Acquires JT Thorpe Group
Another large mechanical-services business has moved into private-equity ownership. Truelink Capital announced September 3 that it completed its acquisition of JT Thorpe Group, a North American provider of industrial maintenance and thermal-management services. Financial terms were not disclosed. JT Thorpe's management team will remain in place and retain a significant ownership position.
Leap Partners Acquires Van’s Electric in North Carolina
Another HVAC-focused home-services platform is expanding its electrical capabilities. On September 2, Leap Partners announced the acquisition of Van's Electric, a third-generation electrical contractor based in Franklin, North Carolina. Financial terms were not disclosed. Van's Will Keep Its Local Brand The company will continue operating under the Van's Electric name and remain led by co-owners Chris and Scott VanderWoude.
HVAC Groups Urge U.S. to Protect USMCA Trade Benefits
The HVAC industry's largest trade groups are sending Washington a clear message: Do not destabilize North America's HVAC supply chain. On September 2, HARDI, AHRI, ACCA and PHCC sent a joint letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer urging the administration to preserve the benefits of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. The groups say the industry supported by the agreement includes approximately 1.9 million American workers.
Ferguson Completes $1.6 Billion FloWorks Acquisition
One of the year's largest distribution transactions is no longer pending. Ferguson has officially completed its acquisition of FloWorks, expanding its position in specialized valves, automation, rotating equipment and fluid-handling services across North America. The transaction carries an enterprise value of approximately $1.6 billion.
DOE Delays Federal Building Electrification Rule Until March 2027
Federal HVAC projects just received another six months of regulatory uncertainty. The Department of Energy has extended the compliance stay on its Clean Energy for New Federal Buildings and Major Renovations of Federal Buildings rule from September 1, 2026, to March 1, 2027. The notice was scheduled for publication in the Federal Register on September 2. Importantly, this is a delay, not yet a repeal.
DiversiTech Acquires DITEK to Expand HVAC and Electrical Portfolio
DiversiTech is expanding beyond traditional HVAC installation and service products. On September 2, the company announced the acquisition of DITEK, a U.S. manufacturer specializing in surge-protection technology. Financial terms were not disclosed. The combination brings together two established suppliers serving the building trades. DiversiTech Is Broadening Its Reach DiversiTech already supplies a wide range of HVAC/R installation, repair and maintenance products.
Vertiv Acquires UtilityInnovation Group in Potential $2.6B Deal
This post is for subscribers only Subscribe Already Have an Account? Log In
KKR Reportedly Acquires A1 Garage Door for About $2 Billion
Another home-services company is reportedly commanding a multibillion-dollar valuation. KKR has agreed to acquire A1 Garage Door Service for approximately $2 billion, Reuters reported September 2, citing people familiar with the transaction. A1 operates across roughly 20 states. Neither KKR nor the companies involved publicly confirmed the transaction details to Reuters, so the reported valuation should be treated as sourced reporting rather than a company-announced figure.
HVAC Shipments Recover While Water Heater Market Remains Soft
The residential equipment market is sending two very different signals. Central AC and heat-pump shipments increased 21.7% year over year in June. At the same time, first-half shipments of residential gas storage water heaters were down 3.6%, while electric storage shipments fell 5.4%. For contractors expanding into multiple trades, that divergence matters. HVAC Is Recovering From a Deep Drop The HVAC comparison comes after a weak 2025.
TradeUp Fest Puts HVAC and Skilled Trades in the Spotlight
The HVAC industry's workforce problem is getting a country-music festival. TradeUp Fest will take place September 19 in Noblesville, Indiana, combining live music with hands-on skilled-trade experiences and apprenticeship opportunities. Organizer Josh Cecil is a former teacher, business owner and musician who wants to make trades such as HVAC, plumbing and electrical more visible to young people. This Is Not a Traditional Job Fair Cecil is building what he calls Trades Village into the event.
U.S. HVACR Distribution Generates $32.9 Billion Annually
This post is for subscribers only Subscribe Already Have an Account? Log In
GFCI Rule Hits Outdoor HVAC Equipment in More Than 20 States
After years of delays, the HVAC industry's controversial outdoor GFCI requirement is finally arriving. A temporary National Electrical Code exemption covering certain outdoor air conditioners and heat pumps expires September 1, meaning the requirement is expected to begin affecting contractors in more than 20 states. HARDI has said that 24 states will be affected, while AHRI estimated as many as 28 could be affected in some capacity because enforcement varies locally.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Jared
Contact Jared, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack