Each week we round up the most consequential HVAC industry news — regulations, refrigerants, supply chain, codes, and market shifts — with citations to primary sources. Here is the week of August 31 through September 6, 2026.
Tariffs: 25% dropped to 15%, but more proposed
Residential HVAC equipment was largely hit with 25 percent tariffs earlier this year before the administration lowered them to 15 percent in June, at least temporarily. The U.S. Commerce Department has since proposed applying 25 percent tariffs on additional steel, aluminum, and copper goods — raw materials that feed directly into HVAC manufacturing. Data from M Science showed tariffs pushed some companies to rely more heavily on U.S. plants during Q2, and air-conditioning shipments from Mexico underperformed the broader market, suggesting a relative increase in U.S.-based production. Mitsubishi announced plans to establish MEHITS US Inc. in Mason, Ohio, to expand IT-cooling-equipment production, and Carrier Global committed $1 billion in domestic production over five years with a new U.S. chiller facility expected to begin production in early 2027 (ISM World).
GFCI rule for outdoor HVAC takes effect
A GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) requirement for outdoor HVAC equipment took effect September 1, 2026, impacting an estimated 24 to 28 states depending on how state and local codes adopt the NEC revision. HARDI estimated 24 states would be impacted; AHRI estimated up to 28 states in some capacity, noting that in some states only certain counties would be affected. Contractors in impacted jurisdictions should verify whether outdoor condensing units and heat pumps now require GFCI protection on their supply circuits (HomePros News).
ASHRAE opens public review on seven standards
ASHRAE's Online Standards Review portal shows seven items open for public comment with review periods closing this week and next. A 45-day review period closing September 7 covers BSR/ASHRAE Standard 219-2021RA (filter drier acid removal testing), BSR/ASHRAE Standard 32.2-2018RA (beverage dispensing equipment), BSR/ASHRAE/SMACNA Standard 126-2020W (HVAC air duct testing), three BACnet addenda to Standard 135-2024, and the first public review of ASHRAE/ICC Standard 242P — a new standard for quantifying greenhouse gas emissions from building operations. A second review period closing September 14 covers ASHRAE Standard 195-2024R (air terminal unit controls) and Addendum e to Guideline 36-2024 (high-performance HVAC sequences of operation) (ASHRAE OSR).
ASHRAE Building Decarbonization Conference.ASHRAE's 2026 Building Decarbonization Conference is set for September 23-25 in Seattle, Washington, with technical sessions on retrofitting existing buildings, Building Performance Standards harmonization across jurisdictions, and the business case for aligning carbon reduction with capital planning. Keynotes include Stet Sanborn (SmithGroup) and Erin McConahey (Arup) (ASHRAE).
Daikin issues second Amana recall for fire risk
Daikin Comfort Technologies issued a further recall of certain models in its Amana range of window and through-the-wall air conditioners due to a risk of serious injury from fire. This is the second recall for the Amana line. Contractors and homeowners who installed Amana window or through-wall units should check the CPSC recall database for affected model numbers (Cooling Post). Naming this product is for safety identification only and is not an endorsement or criticism of any brand.
R290 heat pumps expand into Denmark
Haier HVAC Solutions is partnering with Solar Danmark A/S to bring its latest R290 (propane) air-to-water heat pump portfolio to installers in Denmark. R290 has a global warming potential of 3, far below the 2,088 of R-410A, and is increasingly viewed as the leading low-GWP residential heat pump refrigerant in Europe. Also this week, Clivet introduced a new VRF CVT9 series using R32 in capacities from 25.2 kW to 45 kW, and Italian heat exchanger manufacturer Lu-Ve reported first-half turnover of €325.1 million, up 10.3% year-over-year (Cooling Post).
Energy Efficiency Reform Act introduced in Senate
Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah), chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, introduced the Energy Efficiency Reform Act of 2026, which would change how DOE develops energy conservation standards for approximately 60 products under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. The bill would eliminate EPCA's mandatory six-year review requirement, require DOE to finalize its proposed Process Rule within 270 days, strengthen federal preemption over state standards, and raise the evidentiary standard for public petitions. AHRI has expressed alignment with the bill's goals of greater regulatory predictability and longer review cycles (Contracting Business).
Industry consolidation and market signals
- Pentair acquiring Taco for $1.4 billion — The planned acquisition would expand Pentair's portfolio into hydronics and circulator pumps, a significant consolidation in residential and commercial water-side HVAC components (ACHR News).
- HVAC price increases continue — Another round of equipment, parts, and material increases is hitting contractors this fall, with analysts warning that the bigger risk is running a price book that no longer reflects actual costs (TradeVulcan).
- California SB 222 Heat Pump Access Act — California's legislature passed the first state-level bill establishing a statewide permitting framework for heat pump installations, focusing on streamlining the permitting process rather than incentives (HomePros News).
- Carrier sees residential returning to replacement mode — Carrier reported stronger residential and light commercial demand, healthier inventories, and accelerating data center growth heading into the second half of the year (ACHR News).
What this means for contractors and homeowners
| Development | Impact | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Tariffs 25%→15% | Equipment costs may stabilize temporarily, but proposed metal tariffs could reverse gains | Lock in pricing where possible; monitor copper/steel tariff news |
| GFCI rule (Sep 1) | Outdoor unit installations in 24+ states may require GFCI-protected circuits | Verify local code adoption; update install checklists |
| ASHRAE 242P (GHG accounting) | New standard for building carbon emissions reporting | Review draft; submit comments by Sep 7 |
| Amana recall | Fire risk on certain window/through-wall AC models | Check CPSC for affected serial numbers |
| Reform Act | Could slow DOE standard updates and strengthen federal preemption | Track Senate committee action; plan equipment cycles accordingly |
Naming a product or manufacturer in this article is for identification or safety purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement by HVAC Zone Inc. We are a multi-brand dealer and remain neutral on brand preference.
Have questions about how these developments affect your equipment or building? Request a consultation — we track regulatory and market changes so you do not have to.