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For many contractors, heat pump water heaters still feel like a niche product; something tied more closely to rebates, energy programs or high-efficiency upgrades than to everyday water heater replacement work. But, according to Gregg Holladay of Bradford White, that perception is about to change quickly.

Nominations are officially open for the 2026 Plumbing & Mechanical and Supply House Times Top 40 Under 40 Next Gen All-Star competition.

Manufacturers announced another round of PHCP-PVF price increases in June, with adjustments affecting insulation, valves, fittings, pumps, water heating products, and specialty plumbing components. See which suppliers raised prices and when the changes take effect.

Plumbing and PVF manufacturers announced another round of price adjustments in May, with most increases falling in the low- to mid-single-digit range, while select product categories, including press fittings, grooved products, valves, PVC fittings, and specialty piping systems, saw larger increases.

The latest round of adjustments, effective from mid-March through mid-April, reflects that same trend, with manufacturers implementing measured increases across venting systems, brass and PVF components, thermoplastics, HVAC parts, controls and copper fittings.

The latest report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the construction sector added 33,000 jobs in January, bringing total construction employment to more than 8.3 million workers nationwide. The gain represents one of the largest monthly increases since mid-2023 and was driven largely by hiring among nonresidential specialty trade contractors.

The upward pricing trend that carried into the new year is continuing through February and into March, with a steady stream of plumbing, hydronic, HVAC and PVF manufacturers announcing increases. While many adjustments are landing in the low- to mid-single-digit range, several manufacturers are implementing category-specific or “various” increases, with select product lines moving higher.

At issue are DOE’s efficiency standards that would require furnaces and some commercial water heaters to change venting features to accommodate condensation caused by fuel combustion. HARDI and its partners argue that the DOE’s action undermines long-standing statutory protections designed to preserve consumer choice and maintain access to affordable and reliable heating options, particularly in replacement situations that do not meet the more complex venting requirements.

The commercial HVAC industry has entered a transformative era. As sustainability goals and regulatory requirements shape the market, building owners and contractors have the opportunity to lead the charge toward more efficient, future-forward solutions.