HARDI Releases 2026 State of the Channel Report

Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International has released its 2026 State of the Channel Report, providing critical insights into the forces shaping wholesale HVACR distribution and manufacturing.

Now in its sixth edition, the report delivers a concise but comprehensive view of market performance, competitive shifts and forward-looking demand trends — built on HARDI’s proprietary data, industry surveys and expert analysis. For more info, visit hardinet.org.

The 2026 edition provides:

• Residential and Nonresidential Market Outlooks – Updated projections for contractor business purchase activity and the macroeconomic factors driving HVACR demand. Highlights include residential unitary sales trends, by region, and a detailed update on the data center market.
• Distribution Channel Performance Benchmarks – An assessment of the competitive dynamics at play among competing retail and distribution channels, and the threat these competing channels pose to traditional wholesale distributor businesses.
• Contractor Business Purchasing Trends – Insights into needs and preferences of contractor businesses, as well as emerging market opportunities for wholesale distributors.
• Legislative & Regulatory Developments – Updates on the most pertinent government actions and implications for the channel.
• Voice of Contractor and Voice of Supplier Survey Results – The 2026 report includes the response summaries for both of HARDI’s key annual survey initiatives, the results of which are woven throughout the report.