Happy New Year, HVAC and plumbing pros, and welcome to the first JB Warranties Round-Up of 2025! We hope your year is off to a strong start, with business running smoothly and your team ready for whatever comes next. Before we look ahead, let’s step back to December and check the gauges on how the trades closed out 2024. Spoiler alert: it was anything but a slow drip.
In our November Round-Up, we covered the regional spike for 24-hour plumbers, Lennox’s new partnership with Contractor Commerce, growth in the smart HVAC controls market, and virtual training courses from Business Development Resources (BDR). Of course, December brought its own noteworthy updates. Let’s rewind to the headlines that closed out the year!
SupplyHouse.com stepped up in a big way in December 2024, putting over $90,000 toward partnerships and programs that champion the trades. From supporting organizations like Operation Tiny Home and Miracle Mechanical to the PHCC Educational Foundation and Tools & Tiaras, their efforts are all about empowering both rising stars and seasoned pros in the industry.
Their standout initiative, Track to the Trades, awarded $50,000 in scholarships to 20 talented recipients who are already making waves in HVAC and plumbing. These scholarships are a nod to the next generation of skilled workers, helping them kick-start careers and keep the industry thriving for years to come. Cheers to SupplyHouse.com for investing in the future of the trades!
Get ready to mark your calendars — registration for the 2025 National Hardware Show (NHS) is officially open. Taking place March 18 to 20 at the Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall, this must-attend event is where the home improvement industry comes to connect, innovate, and celebrate. With a legacy spanning 80 years, NHS continues to be the ultimate hub for discovering cutting-edge products, building partnerships, and gaining insights into emerging technologies.
This year’s show promises an even bigger lineup, featuring everything from industry awards to an influencer summit and a new program spotlighting women leaders in the field. With live storytelling, hands-on experiences, and an eclectic mix of brands and inventions, there’s something for everyone. Here’s a look at some of the programming highlights you won’t want to miss:
Those interested in attending are urged to register now, as ticket prices will increase on March 10, 2025.
Speaking of industry innovation, Constellation has secured over $1 billion in contracts from the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). The agreements will provide clean, reliable energy to 13 government agencies and fund energy-saving upgrades like weatherization and advanced HVAC systems across GSA-owned facilities in key regions, reducing emissions and improving efficiency.
According to GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan, “This historic procurement locks in a cost-competitive, reliable supply of nuclear energy over a 10-year period, accelerating progress toward a carbon-free energy future while protecting taxpayers against future price hikes. We’re demonstrating how the federal government can join major corporate clean energy buyers.”
The monumental clean energy contracts will benefit agencies such as the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the Federal Reserve System, and the National Park Service. With operations in Illinois, Maryland, and beyond, this initiative underscores the federal government’s commitment to a sustainable future while cutting costs and setting a high standard for energy efficiency.
As demand for clean energy HVAC systems grows, heat pumps are leading the charge with their cost-effective and sustainable heating and cooling capabilities. Rising to the occasion, Mitsubishi Electric has announced a $143.5 million investment to retrofit a Kentucky factory for the domestic production of variable-speed compressors, a vital component of high-efficiency heat pumps.
The project, supported by a $50 million Department of Energy (DOE) grant, will mark the first U.S.-based production of twin rotary compressors for ductless heat pumps, reducing reliance on imports from Asia. With production set to begin in 2027, the factory is expected to deliver 1 million compressors annually, helping meet surging demand for energy-efficient HVAC technology.
To end the year on a green note, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History has made history by becoming the first museum in the country to earn a LEED v4 (Leadership for Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certification. This prestigious recognition, awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council, highlights commitment to sustainable, energy-efficient construction.
Among the museum’s sustainable features is a stormwater management system that reduces runoff by capturing rainfall from the roof and channeling it through the building’s cladding. This innovative approach is paired with plumbing fixtures that decrease indoor potable water use by 37%, making the museum a standout in water management — and conservation — nationwide.
Energy efficiency is another key achievement, as the museum leverages an HVAC plant with efficient heat recovery chiller and solar photovoltaic arrays to contribute to a 32% reduction in energy use compared to ASHRAE 90.1-2010 standards. Combined, these efforts make the Cleveland Museum of Natural History a shining example of green building excellence stepping into 2025.
December wrapped up with a series of exciting updates in the HVAC and plumbing industries, including impressive investments into the trades, chatter about upcoming events, and the continuation of sustainability initiatives. Now that we’re in 2025, it’s the perfect time to tap into fresh opportunities and embrace the innovations that will help move the industry forward this year.
At JB Warranties, we’re proud to be the North American leader in warranty plans for HVAC and plumbing systems. We offer flexible plan structures that cover parts, labor, or both, with various price levels to meet the needs of Residential HVAC, Commercial HVAC, Ductless Mini-Splits, Plumbing, and Geothermal applications. Want to learn more? Contact us today!