With recent changes at the national level and the initiation of tariffs for imports, the effects are beginning to seep down to local companies in the Coulee Region.
LA CROSSE, Wis. (WXOW) - With recent changes at the national level and the initiation of tariffs for imports, the effects are beginning to seep down to local companies in the Coulee Region.
Bagniefski Heating and Air Conditioning said they've seen an increase across the board with many of their suppliers - including Trane Company.
Bagniefski said prices for products such as copper, aluminum, PVC and sheet metal have all gone up.
As a result of the increases, Bagniefski said they have had to raise their service and install prices and have contemplated raising labor prices.
“With the tariff now, there's been two price increases because of tariffs. So, if you add it all up you're looking at probably a 20% jump from last year's pricing,” Adam Miller, Owner of Bagniefski Heating and Air Conditioning said. “Which is pretty substantial when you're talking about a $4,000 to $6,000 system.”
Bagniefski Heating and Air Conditioning added they believe customers and suppliers have not seen the end of these price hikes yet. They said if this is anything like COVID, prices will more than likely stay the same and won't fall.
This has resulted in a little bit of a concern for Bagniefski.
The White House said many countries were exempt from the 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum. It said they “inadvertently created loopholes exploited by China and others with excess steel and aluminum.” They say this undermined the purpose of these exemptions.
Nearly 70% of all HVAC goods come from newly tariffed nations according to statistics from Air Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration news.com
