Key Takeaways
- HVAC Price-Fixing Lawsuits: Several big-name HVAC companies are facing federal class-action lawsuits alleging that coordinated price increases on heating and cooling equipment began in 2020. Manufacturers deny the allegations, and court proceedings are expected to take years.
- HVAC Equipment Prices Have Soared Past Inflation: Publicly reported data reveals that the prices of heating and cooling equipment have increased nearly 25% more than general consumer goods have since 2019. Even after the pandemic ended, prices have continued to rise much quicker than the inflation rate.
- ACiQ’s Straight Pricing Approach: In an industry that is riddled with unexplained price hikes, ACiQ takes a different path with a Straight Price approach. Committed to transparency, ACiQ follows consistent rules for setting prices that are always based on real costs and explained plainly to contractors.
As several prominent HVAC manufacturers are under pressure from federal antitrust lawsuits, the ACiQ team understands the concerns of contractors and consumers, and we’d like to explain how we handle pricing differently by being transparent and following a consistent process.
HVAC Manufacturers Are Being Asked Hard Questions About Pricing – Here is Where ACiQ Stands with the ACiQ Straight Price Approach
If you follow industry news, you already know that the biggest names in HVAC are facing a wave of lawsuits over how equipment has been priced since 2020. This is unsettling for contractors across the country who’ve watched their equipment costs climb increasingly in the past several years.
While ACiQ is not involved in any of these lawsuits, our team knows that virtually all HVAC contractors are affected, including you. That’s why we’re going to talk about these allegations directly and reassure you that ACiQ has a transparent and consistent process for setting prices for our equipment that we call the “Straight Price” approach.
What HVAC Price Collusion Antitrust Lawsuits Allege Happened
Starting in March 2026, a group of federal class-action lawsuits was filed against several of the largest HVAC manufacturers, companies that together make up to 90% of the U.S. market. Plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended complaint on July 10, 2026, and the broader litigation includes a track specifically for contractors and distributors.
The complaints allege that several top HVAC companies collectively raised their prices multiple times starting in 2020 to increase profit margins. If true, this not only violates antitrust laws designed to foster fair competition in the HVAC market, but also potentially proves that key industry leaders took advantage of contractors, distributors, and consumers for financial gain.
The manufacturers deny the allegations; nothing has been proven yet, and legal proceedings will likely be ongoing for years. However, there’s no question that HVAC equipment prices have increased dramatically over the last several years. The public data proves it.
HVAC Equipment Prices and the Inflation Rate
As the graph below shows, the price of HVAC equipment rose about 55% from 2019 to 2026, while overall consumer prices rose about 31% in the same time period.
At the time, the sharp price increases were credited to market disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, but even after the pandemic dissipated, prices continued to rise even further despite some of the extra costs easing up.
Meanwhile, contractors like you felt the strain of rising equipment costs in your quotes. It’s no wonder so many are asking the same fair question: Is there a manufacturer whose pricing you can actually see and predict?
ACiQ’s Straight Price Approach to HVAC Equipment Pricing
Every manufacturer has a cost story. Refrigerant transitions, new efficiency standards, and supply chain pressure are all real obstacles that cause real impact. But this reasoning only holds up if it is explained and if the price behaves predictably afterward.
But too often, price hikes occur suddenly and without any explanation, making it even harder for contractors to run a successful HVAC business. That’s why ACiQ takes a different approach by building our pricing on two things: transparency and consistency.
Transparent HVAC Pricing Explained
First, our equipment pricing is transparent, which means you always know what your price is and why. There are no hidden costs or mysterious increases that seem to come out of nowhere. This keeps you in the loop as you plan around your own business expenses and aids you in explaining the numbers behind the quotes to your own customers.
Consistent Method to Setting HVAC Prices
Second, our approach to pricing our equipment is consistent. This doesn’t mean the price is frozen or never changes, but it does mean that the practical rules we follow in setting our prices remain the same. These rules are:
- Price Changes Are Always Explained: Whether your costs increase or decrease, you should always be told why. No contractor should have to guess what is behind a number on their invoice or explain a mystery increase to their own customers.
- A Change is Tied to a Real Cost: We will never raise prices without having a valid reason. If our costs do not move, your price as a contractor does not move either.
- The Rules Stay the Same Every Time: We don’t change the way we set prices. When and if an extra cost passes, the increase passes with it.
This “Straight Price” approach is designed to build trust and set an expectation of integrity between ACiQ and our dealers, setting us apart from larger competitors.
ACiQ “Straight Price” Approach in Action During 2025 Tariffs
The tariffs put in place in early 2025 caused economic disruption across several industries, and price hikes were widespread because of the increased expense of importing goods from overseas. The heating and cooling industry was no exception.
Due to higher prices for HVAC equipment components, ACiQ had to raise equipment prices to maintain margin, but because of our commitment to transparency, we promptly reached out to ACiQ dealers to let them know why the prices were going up.
Later that year when tariffs were resolved, we reversed the increase and lowered prices back in line with pre-tariff levels. Why? Because accountability matters.
Joining the ACiQ Dealer Program
If our “Straight Price” approach sounds appealing, you can access this and several additional benefits by joining the ACiQ Dealer Program. We’ve designed this program to make running your HVAC business easier and more profitable through:
- Three Tiers of Increased Benefits: Join for FREE at the Bronze tier with no annual fee or minimum spend required. Advance to Silver and Gold tiers with higher annual sales for enhanced benefits and pricing.
- Competitive, Wholesale Pricing: Our dealers save up to 50% buying HVAC equipment directly from ACiQ. They then leverage these cost savings to land more jobs and bid more competitively, maximizing their profit margins.
- Exclusive Perks: Gain access to the Dealer Portal for easy ordering and dealer-exclusive products. Utilize co-op marketing funds for customized brochures and free promotion or advertising.
- Priority Tech Support: Our ACiQ support team is comprised of experienced HVAC professionals who can answer your questions and promptly assist you over the phone or via email.
Consider joining the ranks of more than 400 ACiQ dealers nationwide – get started for free today.
Related Articles
Straight Price, No Games: ACiQ HVAC Equipment Pricing is Transparent & Consistent
ACiQ’s Straight Price approach gives HVAC contractors clearer, more consistent equipment pricing. Learn how transparency and accountability help dealers quote confidently and understand why prices change.
How HVAC Contractors Can Increase Profit Margins by up to $4,000 Per Job
Learn how HVAC contractors can increase profit margins by up to $4,000 per install through smarter equipment pricing, better sales strategies, and the ACiQ Dealer Program.
