Tariffs on the steel industry have been all over the news. One side claims they're great, the other side says they're disastrous. You don't work in the steel industry, though. Do the tariffs still affect you? Yes. For one thing, steel tariffs are causing HVAC industry changes that affect homeowners everywhere.
Examining the Tariffs
The current administration has imposed a 25 percent tariff on steel from other countries and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum. Both materials are significant elements in the manufacture of HVAC systems, from furnaces to heat pumps to air conditioners.With steel and aluminum more expensive to obtain, the cost of manufacturing HVAC equipment is going up. If the manufacturers want to make money, they'll have to raise their prices. Many already have. That not only means that purchasing an HVAC system will become more expensive, but likely having yours repaired as well. If your unit needs a replacement part made of steel, the cost will be higher.The increases in price don't just apply to steel and aluminum products, either. Some HVAC manufacturers are raising their prices on all their products, regardless of their materials, simply to compensate for the volatility of the industry and the impact it's had on them across the board.
What Can You Do?
If the steel tariffs are making life more expensive for you, you can always contact your congressperson and/or senators to let them know how you feel about the situation. Aside from that, though, the best thing to do amid these HVAC industry changes is what you've always done: shop around for the best prices and the best value.Find a system that will last you a long time. Look for one with good energy efficiency, so that the money you save on power bills can offset the extra that you're paying to buy the unit. And keep it well-maintained, to avoid needing lots of repairs and replacement parts.
To learn more about HVAC industry changes from steel tariffs and other factors, contact us at Air Assurance. We're Broken Arrow's trusted source for quality heating and cooling solutions.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.