THE BIG READ · HVACThermostat Not Working or Blank? How to Trace 24V Power From the Furnace Board to the Wall
A thermostat not working or showing a blank screen is nearly always a 24V power fault. Here is the meter-by-meter trace from the furnace board out to the wall.
By Dale Resnick · 14 min read
REGULATIONENERGY STAR Moves to DOE Under Plan Finalized Aug. 28
EPA and DOE finalized the ENERGY STAR transition plan Aug. 28, making DOE the lead agency, with trademark, partner agreements and IT systems moving by 2027.
HVACJuly HVAC Shipments Jump 20%; Heat Pumps Post Second-Best July on Record
AHRI's July HVAC shipments data shows 916,830 AC and heat pump units, up 20.1%, with heat pumps at 413,679 and distributor sales at their best month of 2026.
Departments
110 news · 92 guides · 8 interviews
Slow Refrigerant Leaks Pushed Home AC Energy Use Up 4-26% for Weeks at a Time
Field data from 81 US and Canadian homes shows a slow refrigerant leak raised daily AC energy use 4-26% for weeks, with no breakdown to trigger a service call.
THE BUSINESS
What a Truck Really Costs Per Day, and Other Numbers Your Books Should Tell You: A Q&A With Xero's Bjorn Monsson
Xero's Head of Partner Growth & Solutions, a CPA who started in audit, tells HVAC and appliance repair owners to pick the bookkeeper before the software, explains how to cost a truck-day, when paying suppliers by card actually makes sense, and what private equity buyers find in a typical shop's books.
INDUSTRY NEWS
The Insurance Market Is Softening. Your Van Policy Didn't Get the Memo.
Commercial auto insurance rates rose 4.5% in the second quarter of 2026 while overall commercial premiums fell 2%. Here's what is driving the split at renewal.
If Your Truck Gets Broken Into Tonight, Which Policy Pays? Tools & Equipment Coverage for Contractors
General liability won't replace your stolen tools. Inland marine tools and equipment coverage does, even out of the shop and in the van. Here's how it works and what it costs.
Read all 92 repair guides →Guides, news, and business tips for appliance repair and HVAC pros — every other Tuesday.