Half of American homeowners have skipped HVAC maintenance this summer to save money, according to the DuraPlas 2026 Summer Cooling Report. Ninety-nine percent of respondents across all income brackets, regions, and generations say economic uncertainty is changing how they plan to cool their homes, with 31% calling those changes dramatic.
The numbers paint a specific picture. The average planned thermostat setting dropped to 69.4 degrees Fahrenheit in 2026, down from 72.9 in 2025 — a counterintuitive finding that suggests homeowners are running systems harder, not less, even as they cut maintenance spending. Sixty-four percent plan to use ceiling fans more this summer, up from 43% in 2025. And 74% say they would rather buy a more durable HVAC component than a cheaper one.
What the deferred maintenance data means for contractors: Deferred maintenance does not make problems go away. It makes them more expensive. The homeowner who skips the spring tune-up is the same homeowner who calls in July when the system fails on the hottest day of the year. That emergency call costs more, takes longer, and arrives at the worst possible moment for a contractor already at capacity.
The diagnostic opportunity: Contractors who offer diagnostic-first service calls rather than tune-up-only visits are better positioned to convert cost-anxious customers. A homeowner who is reluctant to pay for preventive maintenance is often willing to pay to understand the current state of their system. A written health assessment with repair versus replace guidance gives the customer actionable information and gives the contractor a documented upsell path.
The durability message: The report finding that 74% of homeowners prefer durability over low upfront cost is one of the most actionable data points for contractors in 2026. Customers who are already thinking in terms of long-term value are pre-disposed to hear the argument for a higher-quality replacement system, better components, or a maintenance agreement that extends equipment life.
The electricity bill context: A separate forecast from the National Energy Assistance Directors Association projects electricity bills for June through September 2026 could be approximately 8.5% higher than last summer, driven by data center demand, utility rate changes, and infrastructure investment. Homeowners running their systems harder in a higher-rate environment will feel it. Contractors who can connect a tune-up or efficiency upgrade to a specific dollar saving on a monthly bill are having more productive sales conversations than those who lead with technical specifications.
