A busy week for HVAC standards, legislation, and market movement. Here's what mattered and why it matters for your equipment, your comfort, and your wallet.
ASHRAE opens multiple standard reviews
ASHRAE's latest Standards Actions, published August 21, 2026, opened public review periods for several key standards directly affecting residential ventilation, commercial energy efficiency, and HVAC maintenance ([ASHRAE Standards Actions](https://www.ashrae.org/technical-resources/standards-and-guidelines/standards-actions)). The ASHRAE online review portal shows at least four drafts currently open for comment ([ASHRAE Public Review Drafts](https://osr.ashrae.org/)):
- BSR/ASHRAE Addendum b to Standard 62.2-2025 (Residential Ventilation and Acceptable IAQ) — 30-day review closing August 23, addressing ventilation requirements for dwelling-unit adjacent spaces.
- BSR/ASHRAE Addendum r to Standard 62.2-2025 — 30-day review August 14–September 13, broadening Standard 62.2 scope to cover spaces adjacent to dwelling units not covered by Standard 62.1 or 170.
- ASHRAE/IES Addendum o to Standard 90.1-2025 (Commercial Energy Standard) — advisory review August 7–September 6, the first advisory review of the newly restructured 90.1.
- BSR/ASHRAE/ACCA Standard 180-2018R (Inspection and Maintenance of Commercial Building HVAC Systems) — 45-day review August 21–October 5, a full revision of the commercial HVAC maintenance standard.
Why this matters.Standard 62.2 sets the ventilation rates that determine how much fresh air your home needs — the same formula (Qtot = 0.03 × Afloor + 7.5 × (Nbr + 1) cfm) we covered in our VOCs article. The proposed scope expansion to adjacent spaces could affect how attached garages, corridors, and common areas are ventilated in multifamily buildings.
ASHRAE also announced the winners of its 2026 Student Design Competition, Setty Family Foundation Applied Engineering Challenge, and Building Energy Quotient Competition, recognizing the next generation of HVAC&R engineers ([ASHRAE 2026 News](https://www.ashrae.org/about/news/2026)). The Society is additionally highlighting technical resources to help building professionals address wildfire smoke, extreme heat, and Legionella risk — challenges that directly connect to the filtration, IAQ, and dehumidification topics we cover in this hub.
Looking ahead, ASHRAE announced the technical program for its 2026 Building Decarbonization Conference, taking place September 23–25 in Seattle, bringing together engineers, architects, and policymakers to showcase approaches for reducing building emissions ([ASHRAE 2026 News](https://www.ashrae.org/about/news/2026)).
Senate bill targets DOE efficiency standards process
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, introduced the Energy Efficiency Reform Act of 2026 on August 6 ([Contracting Business](https://www.contractingbusiness.com/industry-news/news/55397164/energy-efficiency-reform-act-could-reshape-hvac-standards)). The legislation would:
- Eliminate EPCA's mandatory six-year review requirement for energy conservation standards
- Require DOE to finalize its proposed Process Rule (released July 7, 2026) within 270 days, or revert to the 2020 Process Rule
- Strengthen federal preemption — states could not ban covered products by fuel source or impose their own standards where no federal standard exists
- Require future standards to account for installation costs, maintenance costs, and consumer costs alongside efficiency
- Require DOE to evaluate each incremental efficiency level against the next-lowest option
If passed, this would reshape how SEER2, AFUE, and other HVAC efficiency standards are developed and reviewed — potentially slowing the pace of mandatory efficiency increases that have driven equipment costs higher.
August price increases roll across HVAC products
ACHR News documented a broad round of manufacturer price increases taking effect throughout August 2026 ([ACHR News](https://www.achrnews.com/articles/166517-hvac-price-increase-list-august-2026)). Most disclosed adjustments fall in the single digits, but the range is wide:
| Manufacturer | Product | Increase | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amana | PTAC units & accessories | Up to 5% | Aug 1, 2026 |
| Lau | Parts | 16%+ | August |
| Legend Valve | Select products | Up to 25% | August |
| Multiple | Equipment, parts, IAQ, sheet metal, valves, motors | Single digits (typical) | August |
These increases compound the cost pressure from the A2L refrigerant transition, tariffs on copper and steel, and ongoing supply chain constraints — all factors that ultimately reach the homeowner's replacement quote.
Commercial HVAC market projected to reach $113B by 2035
The commercial HVAC market is projected to reach $113.05 billion by 2035, with data center cooling and building decarbonization emerging as major demand drivers, according to industry reporting from Contracting Business ([Contracting Business](https://www.contractingbusiness.com/commercial-hvac)). This aligns with ASHRAE's release of an AI Data Center Energy Performance Framework developed in collaboration with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and NEMA, providing guidance for next-generation data center design ([ASHRAE 2026 News](https://www.ashrae.org/about/news/2026)).
Also in the news
- NFPA seeks comments on GFCI rule for outdoor HVAC equipment — The National Fire Protection Association opened a public comment period August 20 on a proposed GFCI requirement that could affect outdoor condenser and heat pump installations ([Contracting Business](https://www.contractingbusiness.com/industry-news)).
- EPA proposes HFC phasedown adjustments — EPA's proposed reconsideration of the Technology Transitions Rule would extend compliance dates for certain industrial process chillers from January 1, 2026/2028 to January 1, 2030, and adjust GWP thresholds for remote condensing units ([EPA SNAP Regulations](https://www.epa.gov/snap/regulations-proposed-rules-and-final-rules-determined-epa)).
- Labor shortage persists — BLS projects 8% growth in HVACR jobs from 2024 to 2034, with over 40,000 openings annually, as contractors increasingly turn to in-house training academies ([Contracting Business](https://www.contractingbusiness.com/contracting-business-success/article/55384412/contractors-turn-to-in-house-training-academies-as-hvac-labor-shortage-persists)).
From the HVAC Zone Hub this week
Our daily articles this week covered:
- Psychrometrics: The Psychrometric Chart, Wet Bulb & Dew Point (Aug 23, Tools)
- VOCs in Homes: Sources, Health Effects & Ventilation (Aug 22, IAQ)
- Ductless Mini-Split vs Central HVAC (Aug 21, Equipment)
- Blower Door Testing & Air Sealing (Aug 20, Building)
- Building Automation Systems & BACnet (Aug 19, Smart)
- HVAC System Evacuation & Micron Gauges (Aug 18, Tools)
Naming a product or manufacturer in this article is for identification purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement by HVAC Zone Inc. We are a multi-brand dealer and remain neutral on brand preference.
Want to understand how these industry changes affect your specific system or home? Request a consultation — we'll cut through the news and give you straight, practical guidance for your situation.