Blogs

Contactors & Relays

By Matthew Akins posted 3 days ago
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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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NLRB is Trying to Expand the Definition of "Joint Employer", You Can Help Overturn It

By Chris Czarnecki posted 16 days ago
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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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ACCA Submits Comments Opposing Overtime and Walkaround Rules

By Chris Czarnecki posted 16 days ago
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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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Heat Pump Installations Slowing - IRA Rollout to Blame?

By David Bixby posted 18 days ago
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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

By Matthew Akins posted 10-25-2023
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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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NTSB Wants Fuel Gas Alarms in Homes

By David Bixby posted 10-13-2023
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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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EPA Proposes HFC Refrigerant Management Rule under the AIM Act

By Chris Czarnecki posted 10-11-2023
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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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EPA Issues Final Technology Transitions Rule - Moves to Ban Installation of 410A Systems Effective January 1, 2025

By Chris Czarnecki posted 10-10-2023
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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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ACCA Needs You! ASHRAE Standards Committee on Commercial Building Energy Audits: Implications for Building Decarbonization Assessment

By David Bixby posted 10-02-2023
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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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Congress Funds Government for 45 Days, Racing Against Nov. 15 Deadline Amidst Speaker Battle

By Chris Czarnecki posted 09-25-2023
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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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Take the Stress Out of Frozen Drain Lines

By Matthew Akins posted 09-25-2023
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For many parts of the country, temperatures are dropping, condensing furnaces need servicing, and drain lines are freezing. When these lines freeze, most HVAC systems are designed to shut off, leaving clients dashing for a solution. Technicians and installers may face this problem when dealing with high-efficiency furnaces where the condensate pump is wired to terminate the circuit on the R and / or Common wire. Since heating systems have become more efficient, these highly efficient furnaces produce more condensation. More condensation equals more water, and the extreme temperatures in the winter can deliver a problem for you, your ...
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Born To Run

By Wes Davis posted 09-22-2023
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Bottom Line: Heat pumps are made to heat homes. Trust them to do their job and set the switchover temperature based on the balance point. How Heat Pumps Ruined the World At a recent conference for utilities there was a lot of discussion about heat pumps. Some program managers lamented that while heat pumps were being installed by the tractor trailer load, they weren’t saving energy. My knee-jerk reaction was you need commissioning ( Prove It ). They nodded politely and said they thought that would help. But what they thought would really help even more is lowering the switchover temperature when the electric heat energized. They found that ...
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ACCA Submits Revisions to the NEC Related to GFCI Nuisance Tripping

By David Bixby posted 09-21-2023
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ACCA has submitted two proposed revisions to revise the National Electrical Code (NEC). The proposals: (1) extend the September 2026 effective date by another three years for Exception No. 2 for GFCI protection under 210.8(F), Outdoor Equipment , and (2) add a new exception under 210.8(A), to exclude condensate pumps from GFCI protection in basements. The latter proposal is supported by an ACCA member survey on condensate pump nuisance tripping on GFCI receptacles which renders various heating and cooling equipment inoperative, even when there is no ground fault present. The above proposals were developed with assistance from the ACCA Codes Subcommittee. ...
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Proposed "Walkaround" Rule from OSHA Would Allow Third Parties to Join Inspections

By Chris Czarnecki posted 09-07-2023
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Last week OSHA proposed a rule that would allow non-employees, including union officials and other individuals, to accompany federal safety inspectors during workplace inspections. Notably, it introduces a change from the previous 2013 policy, where safety engineers and industrial hygienists were designated as employee representatives who could assist inspectors. However, the proposed rule would replace this provision with one allowing inspectors to approve a person they deem "reasonably necessary" to conduct a site visit. This expanded category could include attorneys, translators, and worker advocacy group representatives. Employer approval is not required ...
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Department of Labor Proposes Rule Raising Overtime Threshold for Salaried Employees

By Chris Czarnecki posted 09-06-2023
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Last week the Department of Labor (DOL) proposed a rule that would guarantee overtime pay for most salaried workers earning less than $1,158 per week ($60,209 annually) when they work more than 40 hours a week. This would be a significant increase from the current threshold of $35,568. DOL outlined the following objectives for the proposed rule: Reinstate and prolong overtime assurances for salaried workers with lower incomes. Increase the differentiation between workers who are exempt and non-exempt from overtime requirements. The DOL emphasized that the rule aims to "enhance the identification" of executive, administrative, or professional ...
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Department of Treasury and IRS Propose Rule on Prevailing Wages and Apprenticeships Affecting Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives

By Chris Czarnecki posted 09-01-2023
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This week, as part of the rulemaking process for the Inflation Reduction Act, the Department of Treasury and IRS proposed rules regarding prevailing wage and registered apprenticeship requirements for tax incentives included in the law. The most significant ones for contractors are the 45L developer and new construction credit as well as the 179D commercial deduction. The rule significantly increases the taxpayer benefits of these incentives if the requirements are met. Regarding prevailing wage requirements, the Department of Treasury Stated: “The Inflation Reduction Act’s prevailing wage provision incentivizes taxpayers to pay prevailing wages to the construction ...
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DOE Guidance for IRA Rebate Programs Includes Requirements on Installation Standards and Qualified Contractors

By Chris Czarnecki posted 08-24-2023
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You may have seen that the Department of Energy (DOE) recently released program requirements and application instructions for states that want to participate in the Home Energy Rebate programs that were established by the Inflation Reduction Act--specifically the Home Efficiency Rebates Program and the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program. In total, over $8 billion in funding is available to states between the two. The guidelines establish minimum elements that states must include in order to receive funds. This means that requirements and program structures will vary from state to state and there could be significant differences. Moreover some ...
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What Does Effective Troubleshooting Entail?

By Matthew Akins posted 08-21-2023
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In the dynamic world of HVAC, technicians are often likened to detectives, meticulously piecing together clues to solve the mystery of a malfunctioning system. At the heart of this detective work is the art and science of troubleshooting. But what does effective troubleshooting entail? The Essence of HVAC Troubleshooting Troubleshooting is the backbone of HVAC repair. It's more than just taking readings or swapping out parts , hoping for the best. Such a haphazard approach not only burns a hole in the client's pocket but also jeopardizes their trust in your expertise . Remember, when a client's HVAC system falters, ...
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Warm Fall and Winter Seasons

By Wes Davis posted 08-21-2023
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Bottom Line: The chances for a warm fall and winter season are likely for much of the country. Background: NOAA offers forecasts that indicate the likelihood that the temperatures and precipitation (rain) will be higher / about the same / lower than usual. They indicate how much more / less likely with colorful bands. It is very easy to misread this bands as indicators of the severity of the heat, that is not so, it is only the chances of increased / decreased temperatures. Fall Forecast: October, November, and December are going to be mild, or maybe warmer than usual. It also looks like NOAA expects any hurricane activity (with ...
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EPA Phase Down of HFCs Next Year & Recovery/Reclamation: Codes & Coffee

By David Bixby posted 08-18-2023
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Bottom Line: The recent EPA final rule will cut production and consumption of Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants by 40% next year, potentially decreasing availability and increasing cost. Will the HVAC industry hit a refrigerant “pothole” or fall off a cliff? That could depend on how much we get involved to recover and reclaim HFCs. This topic will be discussed by a panel of experts at ACCA's Codes & Coffee this September, so read on! Reduction and Transition: The HFC phase down began in 2022 with a 10% reduction of production and imports below baseline levels, as part of the 2021 American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act. The ...
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