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ACCA Manuals J, S, and D are referenced and required in building codes across America. ACCA has recently improved its Residential Plans Examiner Review Form for HVAC System Design (Loads, Equipment, Ducts) . This simple one-page form provides a quick and easy review of HVAC system design elements. What’s in it? The form helps to verify compliance with the building codes which require the following ACCA Manuals that are also ANSI-approved standards. Manual J Residential Load Calculations : Documents design conditions used to provide estimated heating and cooling loads for a specific residence. Manual S Residential Equipment ...
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This post was authored by Sean Robertson, ACCA's VP of Membership, Advocacy, and Events Contractors excited to inform their customers about the Inflation Reduction Act’s $8.8 billion in rebates for residential energy efficiency improvements may have to wait a little longer as states take a deliberate approach towards developing programs that will vary greatly from state to state . According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s application tracker , just four states – California, Hawaii, New Mexico, and New York – have submitted full applications. Allowing time for DOE review, possible revisions , and state procurement ...
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In September, the IRS announced a significant update that may impact many of you and your businesses, especially concerning the Employee Retention Credit (ERC). Given the complexity of the situation and its potential effects on your operations, we've summarized the key points below: Immediate Moratorium on ERC Claims The IRS has placed an immediate halt on processing new ERC claims until at least December 31, 2023. This decision stems from an alarming surge in questionable claims, many of which are believed to be ineligible, spurred by aggressive marketing tactics targeting small business owners. As of February 2024, IRS has stated that the processing ...
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Late last year, DOE finalized a rule prohibiting the sale of all non-condensing natural gas furnaces. This rule would impact over half of all US households by unnecessarily limiting consumer choice and raising heating costs. The rule particularly concerns those in colder climates who rely on gas furnaces for affordable heating and where electric heat pumps are not yet a viable alternative. It is currently set to take effect on February 16, 2024. Last week, Senator Ted Cruz and Representative Michelle Fischbach introduced S.J.Res.58 and H.J.Res.111, which would overturn this misguided rule. ACCA President & CEO Barton James was quoted in Senator Cruz's ...
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Yesterday afternoon, the House of Representatives passed the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act (H.R. 7024) by a margin of 357-70. The bill allows for the immediate expensing of research and experimentation expenditures, reinstates the less restrictive “EBIT” cap on interest expense deductions, and restores 100-percent bonus depreciation, which is set to expire. The provisions in the bill are retroactive to 2022 and run through 2025. Another provision included in the bill is a significant expansion of the Child Tax Credit. The bill increases the cap on the credit’s refundability, expands eligibility, and links the credit’s value to inflation ...
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This week the Department of Labor (DOL) released its final rule on the classification of independent contractors under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The recent rule is a shift towards a previous standard that was used before 2021 and requires employers to weigh various factors in determining whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor. The under the rule, the classification test includes six factors: The degree to which the employer controls how the work is done. The worker’s opportunity for profit or loss. The amount of skill and initiative required for the work. The degree of permanence of the working relationship. The ...
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Last month, the Department of Treasury and IRS proposed regulations to implement product identification number (PIN) requirements for taxpayers who use the 25C residential energy efficiency tax credit. Under the proposal, beginning January 1, 2025, taxpayers claiming the credit must satisfy the PIN requirement for certain categories of products. Under this requirement, an item will only qualify for the energy-efficient home improvement credit if the item is produced by a qualified manufacturer and if the taxpayer includes the qualified PIN of the item on their tax return. The proposal contains more questions and solicitations for feedback from the industry ...
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Yesterday ACCA submitted formal comments to EPA regarding their proposed rulemaking on HFC management that includes refrigerants widely used in the industry. To see the specific provisions of that proposed rule, you can check out this blog to learn more . The rule will likely be finalized in the second half of 2024 and will have an impact on the HVAC-R industry. ACCA commented on specific proposals in the rule that would affect contractors including: 1. Requiring all used cylinders with HFC refrigerants to be returned to certified reclaimers: This would impose logistical and economic challenges. The proposal would require contractors (or distributors) ...
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President Biden recently invoked the Defense Production Act (DPA) to accelerate the production of heat pumps. The DPA, primarily intended for national defense and security, is being utilized to compel American households to switch from gas to electric heating. The move raises concerns, as we believe applications of DPA should remain focused on its core purpose – promoting national defense and emergency preparedness, including infrastructure protection and recovery from terrorist attacks. In light of these developments, ACCA recently held a meeting with the House Energy and Commerce Committee Oversight staff. The aim was to express our concerns about the use ...
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Contactors & Relays

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Introduction This article will dive into the exciting realm of contactors and relays. This is a general guide, so always check the specific manuals for the equipment you're working on for the nitty-gritty details. Contactors and Relays: The Basics Contactors and relays are the behind-the-scenes heroes in your HVAC systems. They're like the switches that control the big stuff, like motors and electric heat. Contactors are the big guns, handling more power, while relays are the smaller sidekicks. But they work similarly , with contacts and a coil that controls them. Most problems with these guys boil ...
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The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) recently finalized a new rule that changes the standard of determining a "joint employer" under the National Labor Relations Act. If two businesses are joint employers under NLRA, they must both bargain with the union that represents the jointly employed workers, both are liable for unfair labor practices, and both are subject to union picketing and boycotts during a labor dispute. Provisions of the new rule include the following: A business, other than the main employer, will be considered a joint employer if it has any authority to control the following employment terms: Wages, benefits, and other ...
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Earlier this month, ACCA submitted formal comments to the Department of Labor and OSHA opposing the recently proposed overtime and ' walkaround ' rules, respectively, that raise significant concerns for employers. Department of Labor's new overtime rule would raise the threshold for the white-collar/salary exemption to federal overtime pay requirements. Currently, an employee must meet three criteria to qualify as “exempt” from overtime pay: first, they must be paid a salary; second, that salary must be more than $684/week ($35,568 annually); and third, their “primary duties” must be consistent with executive, administrative, or professional positions as ...
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More Americans are buying heat pumps, but the pace of installations has slowed in the past year. This is according to an article in The New York Times dated November 9, 2023. Here’s the link to read the whole thing for yourself. Heat Pump Installations Slow, Impeding Biden’s Climate Goals - The New York Times (nytimes.com) (article may be behind a pay wall for some, the blog below paraphrases the highlights) The article reports that rising interest rates and inflation have combined with a slow and confusing rollout of federal government incentives for the purchase of heat pumps. This is largely responsible for the recent drop in sales, energy ...
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Understanding COP

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As HVAC technicians, we often delve into the world of heat pumps, but do we really understand the full potential of the Coefficient of Performance (COP)? It’s not just a number; it’s a key diagnostic tool that can boost our service quality, reduce customer callbacks, and ultimately increase our revenue. Here’s how. What is COP? Put simply, it is a ratio of the heat energy transferred to the units of energy used. For context, resistance heat has a COP of 1:1, meaning it’s 100% efficient in converting electrical energy to heat. It’s essential to note that while resistance heating is 100% efficient at converting electricity into heat, it might not always ...
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Yes, you read that right, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is urging code bodies to require the installation of listed fuel gas detectors/alarms in residential buildings that have gas appliances. I posted a blog on this very subject back in July 2021. Next year we may see proposals submitted for the new code change cycle to require this very thing. If it gets in the codes, the decision shifts from personal preference to a code official enforcement. Read on! Fuel Gas Alarms vs. CO Alarms The most common types of fuel gas detectors for residential use are similar in size and cost to carbon monoxide (CO) detectors and smoke detectors. ...
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Last week EPA proposed a rule under the AIM Act that addresses the management of HFC refrigerants and their substitutes. As you may recall, the AIM Act was passed in 2020 and mandates an 85 percent reduction in the production and consumption of HFC refrigerants over 15 years. This is a proposed rule, meaning it has not been finalized yet, so the stipulations included below are subject to change. Moreover, EPA is seeking input from HVAC professionals on the feasibility of the rule's provisions and how the rule may affect them. The complete text of the proposed rule can be found here and a fact sheet on the proposed rule can be found here . General Provisions: ...
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Last week EPA released the text of its final rule on technology transitions for HFC equipment. This rule lays out the regulations limiting GWP of refrigerant used in air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment and the corresponding timeframes. The rule issued was a ‘prepublication’ rule and changes can still be made before it is posted to the Federal Register. Notably, the rule would effectively ban the installation of R-410a systems effective January 1, 2025. UPDATE: The finalized rule was posted to the Federal Register on October 24, 2023 and is effective December 26, 2023 Compliance Dates Depending on the application use, compliance dates range ...
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Last summer ANSI/ASHRAE/ACCA Standard 211 , Commercial Building Energy Audits , was reaffirmed as the 2023 edition. The standard was unchanged except for the inclusion of a new “non-mandatory” informative Annex H, Building Decarbonization Assessment . Standard 211 is developed and maintained under an MOU between ASHRAE and ACCA. Recently, ASHRAE has approved forming a new permanent Standing Standard Project Committee (SSPC) to revise Standard 211 on a continuous maintenance basis. The ACCA Standards Task Team (STT) endorsed this action and ASHRAE has now issued a “Call for Members” to serve on the new committee. The title, purpose and scope are shown ...
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This blog has been updated to reflect the most up-to-date information. Congress was able to come to a last-minute agreement to fund the government for 45 days, but the threat of a shutdown still looms. Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy was able to push forward a continuing resolution or 'CR' with the help of Democrats. The federal government will be funded through November 15. In the fallout, Speaker McCarthy was removed from his position and a power struggle is currently ensuing. Republicans have been holding talks regarding who they will elect next and the frontrunners are House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan. ...
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