Austin Keating

Mattoon

SNIPS Editor at The NEWS (ACHR)

Editor @ACHRnews | Formerly @Prairie_Farmer + @NCSAatIllinois

Articles

Tariff Turmoil: Court Rulings, Rising Prices, and Uncertainty for the HVAC Industry

1 week ago | achrnews.com | Austin Keating

“This is not just another headline; it’s a pivotal moment for the entire supply chain,” Heragu added. “Even if the Supreme Court declines to intervene, they could find new ways to reinstate tariffs, especially by framing them as a national security issue. That’s the level of uncertainty we’re operating in.”For HVAC contractors, the impacts of this legal and policy whiplash are immediate and far-reaching. “The uncertainty created by these tariffs is already doing long-term damage,” Heragu explained.
Video: Malco Marks 75 Years by Forming Malco Group and Growing

1 week ago | achrnews.com | Austin Keating

“We’re moving into North America with this bundle concept because Malco really resonates with people here,” Benninghoff said. “We want to offer a one-stop shop for HVAC technicians — tools, pumps, lighting, chemicals — all under a brand that stands for quality.”The approach was on full display at the 2025 AHR Expo in Orlando, where Malco’s expanded footprint showcased new product lines: vacuum recovery pumps, condensate management solutions, worksite lighting, and more.
Tariffs Cut into Sheet Metal Shop Profit Margins, Add Volatility

1 week ago | achrnews.com | Austin Keating

Daly’s advice for those on the front lines of estimating and procurement: “If you don’t have escalation language in your contracts or quotes, you have to put a very short duration on the shelf life of that quote. People are going to get burned. The best advice is: know you’ve got redundancy on components and that there are interchangeable options — which is difficult, but critical.
Debate Over Building Codes Heats Up as Housing Affordability Crisis Deepens

1 week ago | achrnews.com | Austin Keating

As the United States faces a mounting housing affordability crisis, a debate is intensifying between home builders and code officials over how best to balance costs, safety, and long-term efficiency in new construction.
Video: AIIR’s Anshuman Bhargava Discusses Smarter, Sustainable HVAC Solutions

3 weeks ago | achrnews.com | Austin Keating

As energy regulations and indoor air quality standards continue to tighten across the U.S., HVAC manufacturers are adapting with new technologies. Anshuman Bhargava, Head of New Business and General Manager at AIIR, recently shared how his company is approaching these industry shifts.
Survey Shows 1 in 4 Commercial Buildings Using Geothermal

3 weeks ago | achrnews.com | Austin Keating

Click chart to enlarge 1/4: One-quarter of facility managers/building owners currently have geothermal HVAC installed in their facility/building, while about the same proportion has never even considered it. (Courtesy of myCLEARopinion Insights Hub) The survey revealed that facility managers rely heavily on professional channels for their geothermal information, with 78% turning to HVAC contractors and 71% consulting manufacturer websites.
Austin Keating

3 weeks ago | achrnews.com | Austin Keating

Contractor Pro Geothermal Series A comprehensive survey reveals the growing momentum of commercial geothermal HVAC, with one in four facility managers already adopting the technology and industry experts predicting continued expansion driven by tax incentives, energy efficiency, and technological advancements.
Sheet Metal Leaders Call for Tax Cuts to Tamp Down Tariffs’ Impact on the HVAC Industry

1 month ago | achrnews.com | Austin Keating

“We’re in a declining economy with sinking revenues, frozen projects, infrastructure clawbacks, and spiking material costs on top of rising supply chain barriers,” Kolbe explained, noting the Trump administration’s plans to use a “big, beautiful” tax cut bill to bring tariff relief is fraught, as hardliners in his party will not agree to substantial tax cuts without significant cuts to spending, including politically unpalatable cuts to Medicare.
Distinctive Metal Façade, HVAC Sets Louisville’s New Library Apart

1 month ago | achrnews.com | Austin Keating

Metal defines much of the library’s character. Designed by JRA Architects and MSR Design — winners of a 2023 AIA/ALA Library Building Award — the project showcases Graphite Gray Pre-Weathered Zinc from Rheinzink. The zinc, embossed in varied textures, pairs with clear anodized aluminum for soffits and curtain wall caps, plus painted steel canopies, balancing reflectivity with moody depth.
Innovation Meets Legacy: Inside a Mom and Pop Union Sheet Metal Shop

1 month ago | achrnews.com | Austin Keating

The path to finding their niche hasn't been straight or simple. In just five years of operation, Madon Sheet Metal has relocated three times. Their previous facility fell to the growing demand for data center space, as developers purchased and demolished entire industrial parks. This September, they finally settled into a custom-built facility secured under a five-year lease. "I'm very excited to be kind of set," John said, reflecting on the stability this new location provides.