The Air Conditioning Contractors of America’s history can be traced to the early 1900s during the pre-World War I era when central heating and factory mechanization were taking root.

From these historical milemarkers, two organizations emerged to become voices for workers in the industry: the National Warm Air Heating and Air Conditioning Association (NWAHACA) – established in 1914 to represent manufacturers, wholesalers and contractors – and the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors of America (ARCA) – established in 1946 to represent contractors exclusively.

In 1968, NWAHACA dissolved to merge with ARCA. Manufacturer members became part of what is now known as the Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration Institute (ARI). Before departing NWAHACA, the manufacturers established a trust fund to assist contractors in operating an independent trade organization. The tangible assets of NWAHACA, as well as the rights to the technical manuals program, were transferred to the contractor members.

This careful planning resulted in the formation of a new entity, National Environmental Systems Contractors Association (NESCA), which was incorporated on January 1, 1969. In 1978, NESCA was renamed Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA).

Today, ACCA has grown to become the largest organization of heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration contractors in the world.

A blast of warm air from the past ...
Read the earliest ACCA-related newsletter we have on file, the January 1927 issue of the monthly bulletin produced by one of our predecessor organizations, the National Warm Air Heating and Ventilating Association.

ACCA's Governing Documents