Tariffs could raise HVAC costs
- Air Conditioning Contractors of America and Heating, Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International said April tariff changes could raise HVAC equipment prices as contractors head into the 2026 cooling season. - The groups said products imported from Mexico that effectively paid about 8% under old Section 232 rules could now face tariffs approaching 25% on the entire product value. - Contractors are being told to reprice jobs and add escalation clauses as owners weigh commissioning, electrification and smart controls. (contractingbusiness.com)
Two HVAC trade groups say April tariff changes could push up air-conditioning equipment prices just as the summer service rush begins. (contractingbusiness.com) Air Conditioning Contractors of America and Heating, Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International said recent Section 232 changes hit steel, aluminum and copper used in HVAC equipment across the supply chain. (contractingbusiness.com) (hardinet.org) The biggest change is that U.S.-origin steel and aluminum are no longer exempt when a finished product is imported back into the United States. HARDI said that removes a benefit manufacturers had for using American metal. (hardinet.org) HARDI used late-2025 import data from Mexico, the largest exporter of HVACR products to the U.S., to show the shift. Imports that effectively paid about 8% under the old rules could now face tariffs approaching 25% on the full value of the product. (contractingbusiness.com) (hardinet.org) HARDI said HVACR products are treated as derivative products under the new framework. If metal content crosses the listed thresholds, the tariff applies to the entire product value rather than just the metal portion. (hardinet.org) That leaves contractors exposed at the exact moment homeowners start replacing failed condensers and heat pumps in hotter weather. ACCA said contractors should review job costing, update pricing structures and add material or equipment escalation clauses where possible. (contractingbusiness.com) The groups are also asking Washington for relief. ACCA said it asked the administration to exempt HVACR equipment or provide a 90-day delay so manufacturers have time to adjust supply chains, and HARDI said it also contacted the administration. (contractingbusiness.com) (hardinet.org) For building owners trying to limit near-term equipment spending, efficiency work is getting more attention. REMI Network reported this week that owners in 2026 are prioritizing existing building commissioning, electrification and smart controls to cut energy use and improve system performance. (reminetwork.com) That does not eliminate HVAC spending, because deep retrofits can still include modernized heating and cooling systems, insulation, windows and ventilation upgrades. But it shifts some decisions from emergency replacement toward tuning, controls and broader capital planning. (reminetwork.com) For now, the immediate message from the industry is narrower: equipment quotes may move fast, contract language matters, and a tariff rule change in April 2026 is now showing up in HVAC pricing conversations. (contractingbusiness.com)
