Last reviewed: September 2026 · By the HVAC Brief Editorial Team · Our sourcing and editorial standards
Producer prices for HVAC equipment rose 0.26% in August 2026 to an index of 324.82, the highest reading in the Bureau of Labor Statistics series. Prices were 3.9% higher than a year earlier and 60.0% above the 2019 average.
BLS also revised July down, from 324.903 to 323.984. The July gain is now 0.94%, not the 1.23% first reported, and August, not July, holds the record.
The August reading
The index edged up 0.84 points in August 2026, a smaller move than July’s but enough to set a new high above the revised July figure of 323.984.
| Month | Index | Month on month | Year on year |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | 313.036 | +0.37% | +5.0% |
| February 2026 | 316.782 | +1.20% | +5.5% |
| March 2026 | 319.543 | +0.87% | +6.7% |
| April 2026 | 320.385 | +0.26% | +5.4% |
| May 2026 | 320.638 | +0.08% | +4.0% |
| June 2026 | 320.966 | +0.10% | +2.9% |
| July 2026 | 323.984 | +0.94% | +4.1% |
| August 2026 | 324.820 | +0.26% | +3.9% |
Since December 2025, the index is up 4.2%. Prices have risen in 21 of the 31 month-on-month comparisons since January 2024, so the direction has been persistent rather than a single step.
What changed in July
July was revised down by 0.919 points. The month still rose, but by less, and it no longer holds the series high.
| July 2026 | First published | Revised |
|---|---|---|
| Index | 324.903 | 323.984 |
| Change on June | +1.23% | +0.94% |
| Series high at the time | Yes | Superseded by August 2026 |
Producer price indexes are preliminary when first published, and BLS revises recent months as late survey responses arrive. We have added a correction note to our July report and updated the pages that cited the first figure.
Heating equipment set a record too
The separate BLS commodity index for heating equipment, WPU106, rose 0.65% in August 2026 to 440.459, its highest reading.
| Index | August 2026 | Month on month | Year on year | Since 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HVAC equipment manufacturing, PCU333415333415 | 324.82 | +0.26% | +3.9% | +60.0% |
| Heating equipment, WPU106 | 440.46 | +0.65% | +2.5% | +57.7% |
The two indexes overlap but are not the same: the first covers the output of an industry, the second a group of products wherever they are made.
Against general inflation
Equipment prices are still outrunning consumer prices. The consumer price index rose 3.4% in the year to July 2026, against 3.9% for HVAC equipment in the year to August 2026.
Over the longer run the gap is wider: HVAC equipment producer prices are up 60% since 2019, consumer prices 31%. Our HVAC price index tracks both series month by month.
What it means for buyers
This is a factory-gate price, not what a homeowner pays. Increases reach installed prices through distributors and contractors, with a lag and alongside labour and refrigerant costs that this index does not include.
No federal series measures installed system prices, which is why we do not publish one. For how the pieces add up, see what HVAC replacement costs in 2026, and for the timing question, whether to replace now or wait.
Frequently asked questions
Are HVAC equipment prices still going up?
Yes. The BLS producer price index for HVAC equipment manufacturing rose 0.26% in August 2026 to 324.82, a series high, and was 3.9% above a year earlier. Prices have risen in 21 of 31 monthly comparisons since January 2024.
What was the HVAC equipment PPI in August 2026?
324.820 for BLS series PCU333415333415, not seasonally adjusted. That is up 0.26% on the revised July figure of 323.984 and 60.0% above the 2019 average of 203.04.
Why was the July 2026 figure revised?
Producer price indexes are preliminary when first released, and BLS revises recent months as late survey responses come in. July moved from 324.903 to 323.984, which cut its monthly gain from 1.23% to 0.94%.
How much have HVAC equipment prices risen since 2019?
About 60%. The producer price index went from a 2019 average of 203.04 to 324.82 in August 2026. Consumer prices rose about 31% over a similar period.
Methodology and limitations
Figures are BLS producer price indexes PCU333415333415 and WPU106 and consumer price index CUUR0000SA0, all not seasonally adjusted, retrieved from the BLS public data API in September 2026. Percentage changes are calculated by The HVAC Brief from index values.
- Recent PPI months are preliminary and may be revised again.
- 2019 comparisons use the simple average of the twelve monthly values.
- Producer prices are not retail or installed prices.
Sources
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Producer Price Index, series PCU333415333415 and WPU106.
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index, series CUUR0000SA0.
The HVAC Brief is an independent trade publication. We do not sell equipment, take manufacturer advertising, or accept payment for placement in our research. Corrections welcome.
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