If you’ve been keeping an eye on rising prices for home services and materials, you’re not alone. As 2025 rolls onward, the constant back-and-forth of tariff-related announcements has caused a lot of chaos and stress.
While we can’t control what the administration does, read this John Henry's Plumbing, Heating, Air, and Electrical guide for a detailed answer on how tariffs will affect HVAC prices, along with the costs of plumbing and electrical services. By the end, you’ll understand what you can do to minimize your personal impact.
Unfortunately, prices for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical equipment and services are expected to rise even with the current tariffs lower than what was initially announced. Most recently, the US and China reached a deal to temporarily lower the Chinese import tariffs from 145% to 30%. China changed its retaliatory tariffs from 125% to 10%. Though a big improvement, these numbers are still significant.
These tariffs are poised to affect the prices of goods in Lincoln, NE, from air conditioners to water heaters to circuit panels. Heating and AC repair and maintenance costs are expected to rise as well, since the tariffs affect not only the prices of entire new systems, but also individual parts and other supplies.
Understanding how it can help you make better financial decisions for your home.
What Are the 2025 China Import Tariffs?
The White House announced a new round of China import tariffs as well as levies on Mexican-made goods. These changes significantly increase duties on certain imported materials, particularly those tied to energy, steel, and electronics.
There has been significant backpedaling throughout the process, which makes the tariffs hard to keep track of. However, it appears that import levies are still going to be enforced through 2025. These directly affect many of the components used in heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical systems.
Tariffs are affecting goods including:
- Steel and aluminum products (used in ductwork, frames, and fixtures)
- Semiconductors and electronics (used in HVAC thermostats, sensors, and electrical controls)
- Electric motors and compressors (essential to HVAC systems)
- Lithium-ion batteries and solar inverters (used in home energy systems)
- New HVAC refrigerants have risen over 40%, with shortages already affecting price
Why HVAC Equipment Costs Are Increasing in 2025
HVAC manufacturers rely heavily on imported parts to build and repair heating and cooling systems. Components like compressors, control boards, and fan motors are often produced overseas—particularly in China.
When China import tariffs are applied, the cost of raw materials rises, and manufacturers have to pass those increased costs along the supply chain to contractors and, ultimately, to homeowners.
The price increase for new HVAC systems in 2025 could be between 5% all the way up to 20% or more this year. We know that’s a large range, but it depends on the equipment you need and the manufacturer. It also depends what the end results are of some of the current administration’s ongoing trade negotiations. Some higher-efficiency systems, which include more electronic components and proprietary parts, may experience higher increases.
Here in Lincoln, that could mean a central air or furnace installation will rise significantly in cost. We also expect parts replacements—such as capacitor swaps or control board issues—to become noticeably more expensive.
How Will Tariffs Affect Plumbing Prices?
The plumbing industry is also bracing for tariff-driven price hikes. Many plumbing fixtures and components—like valves, pipe fittings, and water heater elements—are made with metals such as copper, brass, and stainless steel. With tariffs hitting both raw materials and finished goods, manufacturers are adjusting their pricing accordingly.
Tankless water heaters, in particular, may see sharp increases in cost due to their reliance on imported electronics and precision parts. Even traditional storage water heaters, which include electrical elements and thermostats, are expected to go up in price.
For Nebraska homeowners, that means plumbing upgrades or water heater replacements may soon cost hundreds of dollars more than they did just a year ago.
Electrical Costs and Tariffs
How will tariffs affect electrical prices? Well, your home’s electrical system depends on a wide array of imported components, many of which are now subject to higher tariffs. Items like circuit breakers, electrical panels, smart switches, and wiring assemblies often originate from overseas manufacturers. With tariffs in place, suppliers must charge more to make up the loss.
In addition, energy-efficient upgrades—such as EV chargers, solar-compatible electrical panels, and home automation devices—are expected to become more expensive due to rising costs for semiconductors and related technologies.
For Lincoln homeowners looking to modernize their homes or install new circuits, the cost of parts and labor is on the rise. If your home needs a new panel to accommodate additional electrical demand, this could add hundreds to the cost of the job in 2025 compared to previous years.
How These Increases Affect Homeowners
Rising material costs don’t just impact large remodels—they also affect everyday repairs. When contractors face higher prices for parts and equipment, service fees often follow suit. Whether you’re calling for an HVAC tune-up, a water heater replacement, or an electrical panel upgrade, there’s a good chance you’ll notice an uptick in pricing.
Beyond the obvious financial impact, these increases may cause homeowners to delay important upgrades or repairs, potentially leading to larger issues down the road. Waiting to replace an aging HVAC system or ignoring a circuit issue because of rising costs can create safety risks and larger repair or replacement bills later.
In addition to higher costs for parts and equipment, tariffs are disrupting supply chains, which then adds even more upward pressure on prices. Manufacturing and shipping delays and shortages could mean that you have fewer options for new installation of ACs, heaters, electrical systems, and plumbing equipment. It could also mean longer wait times between placing your installation order and the finished product.
What You Can Do to Minimize the Impact
There are still ways to protect your home and your wallet from China import tariffs. Being proactive can help you stay ahead of the price increases and make smart decisions about your home.
Here are a few steps you can take:
- Schedule inspections now: Identifying small issues before they grow can save you money. If your HVAC, plumbing, or electrical systems are due for a check-up, now is the time. While prices are higher than a year or two ago, we expect the HVAC price increase in 2025 to go even higher before the year is over.
- Work with a company that offers financing: John Henry's Plumbing, Heating, Air, and Electrical provides affordable financing options on approved credit to help you get the services you need with less budget strain.
- Plan upgrades sooner: If you’re thinking about replacing a system, locking in today’s prices can save you hundreds—if not thousands—over waiting.
- Use rebates and incentives: Some manufacturers and utility providers offer rebates for high-efficiency equipment or smart electrical upgrades. Nebraska has several state incentives, including rebates and loan programs, for energy-efficient upgrades. These savings may help offset rising equipment prices. We can help you understand which you might qualify for.
What We’re Doing at John Henry's Plumbing, Heating, Air, and Electrical
At John Henry's Plumbing, Heating, Air, and Electrical, we understand that price increases can be frustrating. That’s why we’re working hard to stay ahead of these changes and offer the best possible value to our customers in Lincoln and the surrounding areas.
We’ve built strong relationships with multiple suppliers to secure better pricing and product availability. We also stay up to date on market trends and communicate openly with our customers about projected costs and options.
Whether you’re scheduling routine maintenance or planning a major upgrade, we’re here to help you navigate your options and make informed decisions that work for your home and your finances.
Frequently Asked Questions
We understand that the changes happen quickly and can be confusing. Here are answers to some of the most common questions we get about how tariffs will affect prices for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical services and equipment.
How will tariffs affect HVAC, plumbing, and electrical prices in 2025?
Tariffs on imported parts and materials are increasing supplier and manufacturer costs. These are passed along to contractors and ultimately homeowners. Expect price hikes across all major home systems in the coming months.
Are there still affordable equipment options available?
Yes. At John Henry's Plumbing, Heating, Air, and Electrical, we offer a range of options at different price points and work with homeowners to find solutions that fit their budget.
Can I finance replacements and upgrades?
Absolutely, pending credit approval. We offer financing programs for credit-qualified customers to help spread out costs for HVAC and plumbing installations.
Should I replace my HVAC system before 2025 ends?
If your system is older or experiencing issues, it may be wise to upgrade sooner. The HVAC price increases in 2025 are expected to continue rising through the end of the year.
Will plumbing and electrical service be delayed because of tariffs?
Some parts may take longer to receive due to supply chain changes, but we do our best to keep essential items in stock and offer alternatives when needed.
Still Have Questions? Call John Henry's Plumbing, Heating, Air, and Electrical
If you have questions about how these changes could impact your next repair or upgrade, give us a call. Tariffs or no tariffs, the team at John Henry's Plumbing, Heating, Air, and Electrical wants to get you the HVAC, plumbing, and electrical services you need without breaking the bank.
