HVAC Pulse
What's happening right now in heating, cooling, refrigerants, and efficiency — aggregated from public sources, classified by topic, with every item linking back to the original.
Heat Pump Shipments Climb, Rebate Rules Tighten — HVAC Pulse, June 22 2026
**Heat pumps:** Shipments continued rising through April, with units increasingly used year-round for both heating and cooling — a sign of broadening adoption beyond warm-climate markets. Homeowners looking to lower upfront costs can group-buy with neighbors to negotiate better pricing. On the workforce side, a Northeast geothermal drilling training hub is in development, aiming to build the skilled labor pipeline the industry needs.
**Rebates & policy:** A significant rule change: the DOE has barred use of federal home electrification rebates to replace fossil-fuel heating systems, narrowing how homeowners can apply HOMES and HEAR funds. Meanwhile, Rhode Island preserved its clean energy and efficiency budget programs in the state's latest budget cycle.
**Summer tip:** For those without garage AC, passive cooling strategies — ventilation, insulation, and reflective barriers — can make a meaningful difference.
UK homeowners fear installing heat pump is a high stakes gamble
independent.co.uk · 3m ago
Trane is recalling certain gas/electric packaged units because a defective fuel gas valve may open unexpectedly, creating a gas leak and fire risk.
Manufacturers must use updated industry test standards to measure central air conditioner and heat pump efficiency for federal compliance.
Oil, electric, and gas furnaces must meet updated federal efficiency standards to reduce energy consumption and operating costs.
New efficiency standards require furnace fan motors to meet minimum energy performance levels set by the Department of Energy.
Commercial air conditioners and heat pumps must be tested using new federal procedures that better measure real-world cooling efficiency.
Commercial air conditioners and heat pumps over 65,000 Btu/h must meet stricter federal energy efficiency requirements.
Home furnaces must achieve minimum federal energy efficiency standards established and periodically updated by the Department of Energy.
Water-source heat pump testing now includes seasonal efficiency metrics and expanded scope under new federal test procedures.
Commercial air conditioners and heat pumps must follow revised federal test procedures for more accurate efficiency measurement and comparison.
Small commercial air conditioners and variable refrigerant flow systems under 65,000 Btu/h must meet new federal energy efficiency standards.