Carrier, Trane, Rheem among HVAC companies accused of price-fixing in class action

HVAC price-fixing class action overview:

• Who: Plaintiff Richard Isom filed a class action lawsuit against seven heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) manufacturers, including Trane, Carrier, Daikin, Bosch, Lennox, Rheem and AAON. 
• Why: Isom claims the HVAC manufacturers conspired to fix prices for HVAC equipment.
• Where: The class action lawsuit was filed in Michigan federal court.

Seven of the biggest heating, ventilation and air conditioning manufacturers in the United States are facing a class action lawsuit alleging they conspired to fix prices for their equipment. 

Plaintiff Richard Isom claims the HVAC manufacturers engaged in a six-year conspiracy to inflate HVAC equipment prices, resulting in billions of dollars in overcharges for consumers.

“Nearly every home and business in America depends on the same equipment to stay warm in winter and cool in summer,” the HVAC price-fixing class action lawsuit says. 

The seven HVAC manufacturers named in the complaint include Trane, Carrier, Daikin, Bosch, Lennox, Rheem and AAON. Isom argues they collectively control over 90% of the U.S. HVAC market and, starting in January 2020, conspired to fix prices by coordinating price increases through trade publications and industry groups.

Isom wants to represent a nationwide class of all entities and individuals who have directly purchased HVAC equipment from the defendants since January 2020.

Class action claims HVAC manufacturers used COVID-19 pandemic as cover

Isom argues the HVAC manufacturers used the COVID-19 pandemic as a cover to implement price hikes far exceeding their actual cost increases. 

“When customers complained, Defendants had their story ready: COVID-19 disrupted supply chains, new efficiency standards required expensive redesigns, and federal law forced a costly refrigerant transition,” the HVAC price-fixing class action lawsuit says. 

Isom claims the companies repeatedly announced identical price increases within days of each other, often through the same trade publication.

Further, Isom argues the HVAC manufacturers also colluded to restrict supply to maintain high prices, with some companies allegedly reducing production by up to one-third.

Isom claims the companies’ actions violated federal antitrust laws and resulted in artificially high prices for HVAC equipment purchased by distributors, wholesalers and contractors.

The plaintiff demands a jury trial and requests injunctive, declaratory and restitutionary relief, and an award of treble damages for himself and all class members. 

In past HVAC-related legal news, Toyota agreed to a settlement in 2024 that reimbursed Toyota Camry owners and lessees whose vehicles suffered from foul odors or mold growth in their heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems.

Have you ever directly purchased HVAC equipment from the defendants since January 2020? Let us know in the comments.

Isom is represented by Paul F. Novak and Michael P. Piggins of Weitz & Luxenberg P.C.; Patrick McGahan, Michael Srodoski, Patrick Coughlin, Carmen Medici, Karin E. Garvey and Fatima Brizuela of Scott + Scott Attorneys At Law LLP; and Christopher Burke and Yifan “Kate” Lv of Burke LLP.

The HVAC price-fixing class action lawsuit is Isom v. Trane Technologies PLC, et al., Case No. 2:26-cv-11294-RJW-APP, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:

• Snapfish class action claims products were ‘always on sale’ at misleading discounts
• TransUnion class action certified over alleged failure to block fraudulent credit report items
• Hyundai recalls over 94K Genesis models due to potential fuel leak risk
• Hanes class action lawsuit over Washington marketing emails can proceed