This roundup covers HVAC news published November 4 through November 10, 2026. As always, company names appear only because they made the news. HVAC Zone is a multi-brand dealer, and nothing here favors one manufacturer over another.
1. Prices: more increases, steadier demand
ACHR News’s monthly list shows manufacturers announcing November price increases of 3% to 15% where amounts were disclosed. Most hit parts and materials contractors buy every day: duct accessories, sheet metal (8%, or 8.5% for aluminum), gas piping (6%), air curtains, and test instruments. Filtration and zoning suppliers announced increases with amounts still to be set.
Demand is holding up. ACHR News reports that distributors in HARDI’s survey saw sales jump 9% in September, helped by cooling degree days more than 40% above last year. HARDI’s analyst still expects annual growth to stay in the 2.5% to 4.5% range, citing flat housing, rising interest rates, and weak consumer confidence. One large distributor, reported by ACHR News, posted record quarterly revenue, with residential HVAC sales up 7%: units up 5%, average selling price up 2%.
What it means for you: the price of a repair or install is not only the equipment. Materials are rising too. Get written quotes with clear expiration dates.
2. The midterms move HVAC policy to the states
ACHR News interviewed leaders of ACCA and PHCC after the election. Both said the Senate’s 60-vote threshold still blocks most federal action, so the real fights will happen in state capitals. Their biggest concern is state efforts to speed up ultra-low-GWP refrigerants such as R-290 (propane) before contractors have adjusted to the A2L transition. One advocacy map lists 14 target states, including New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Both groups said they still support the federal 25C, 25D, and 179D incentives and would rather reward proper design and installation than equipment ratings.
3. Dual-fuel thermostats take on more decisions
Following last week’s coverage of the furnace’s new backup role, ACHR News looked at the controls that run the handoff. Newer thermostats can choose between the heat pump and the furnace based on outdoor temperature, equipment performance, and energy prices, using a thermal balance point (where the heat pump can no longer carry the load) or an economic balance point (where gas becomes cheaper). Engineers quoted stressed that basic compatibility isn’t the same as correct setup. They warned that running both at once during a normal heating call, outside defrost, can overheat the indoor coil and damage the compressor.
From the field: our guide to heat pump lockout settings walks through how to set these points from real numbers. If your dual-fuel system was set up with factory defaults, it’s worth a second look before the first cold snap.
4. A CO shutoff device enters U.S. distribution
ACHR News reports that a carbon monoxide shutoff switch for gas furnaces and water heaters is now sold through U.S. HVAC distribution. It uses two sensors, one in the supply duct and one near the appliance and vent, and cuts power to the equipment when CO rises. The companies describe it as a complement to standard CO alarms, not a replacement. The report gives no sensor thresholds or installation requirements. Any device like this should be paired with a proper combustion check. See our CO and combustion safety guide.
5. Data centers drive record commercial demand
One major manufacturer’s orders jumped 44% and its backlog hit a record $23 billion, according to ACHR News, driven by data centers, battery and chip plants, and universities. Executives said the main bottleneck is customers’ power and electrical infrastructure, not factory capacity. Another manufacturer reported, via ACHR News, a record $12.5 billion backlog. Large projects compete for the same chillers, electrical gear, and skilled labor that smaller commercial jobs use, so lead times on commercial equipment are worth watching.
6. France blames Iran for the refrigeration hacks
Last week we covered cyberattacks on supermarket refrigeration in Europe. On November 9, France attributed the October attack on about 700 of its supermarkets to a cyber unit linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, reports PBS NewsHour (AP). Iran denied it. According to NPR, French officials say attackers took over refrigeration controllers through web interfaces, ran nonstop defrost cycles, and disabled high-temperature alarms. The same campaign reportedly also hit small hydroelectric plants and a blood bank’s refrigeration. See our guide to HVAC controls cybersecurity.
Also this week: ACCA named a workforce-development specialist as its new CEO, reports ACHR News.
Quick checklist: what to do this week
| Story | Who it affects | Practical step |
|---|---|---|
| Material price increases | Anyone planning work | Ask for written quotes with expiration dates |
| State refrigerant policy | New Jersey homeowners and contractors | Watch for state code proposals, and ask which refrigerant a new system uses |
| Dual-fuel controls | Homes with a heat pump plus furnace | Have the changeover and lockout settings checked |
| CO shutoff devices | Homes with gas appliances | Keep working CO alarms and schedule a combustion check |
| Controller cyberattacks | Businesses with connected controls | Change default passwords and keep controllers off the open internet |
Limitations
Company sales and backlog figures come from earnings reports as summarized by trade press and describe national trends, not local prices. Price increase lists cover only manufacturers that disclosed them. The attribution of the French attacks comes from the French government and was denied by Iran.
Not an endorsement: manufacturers and products are named only because they made the news. HVAC Zone Inc is a multi-brand dealer, and the Hub is brand-neutral.
Wondering how rising costs, refrigerant rules, or dual-fuel controls apply to your home or building? Request a consultation with HVAC Zone for a site-specific assessment.