Alexandria, VA (September 10, 2025) — HVACR trade professionals are taking center stage in Washington, D.C. this week to advance contractor interests on Capitol Hill during Air Conditioning Contractors of America's 2025 Advocacy Day.
During the two-day event, contractor members are connecting with Congressional leaders to advocate for contractor priorities and share real-life perspectives from the field on how policies are impacting homeowners and other customers.
This year’s advocacy agenda is shaped by member insights gathered during ACCA’s 2025 Contractor Town Hall, where issues such as workforce development, fuel choice, and refrigerant transitions emerged as top concerns. All of ACCA's policy priorities can be seen on the ACCA website.
“We’re not just talking about policy—we’re bringing real-world expertise to the table,” said Barton James, ACCA president and CEO. “When lawmakers hear directly from contractors, it changes the conversation.”
ACCA was joined for the event kickoff by Sen. Markwayne Mullin from Oklahoma. Sen. Mullin is the former owner of Mullin Plumbing, Mullin Services, and Mullin Environmental, and has brought to Congress a valuable HVACR business owner’s perspective and championed many of ACCA’s priorities.
ACCA will host HVAC 101 for Congress, an informational briefing session for Congressional staff on Capitol Hill. The briefing will help legislators better understand the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning industry as well as the challenges facing contractors and their customers, particularly as they relate to housing affordability.
ACCA has assembled a panel of national experts in the HVACR industry who will speak to key issues:
- Edward McFarlane, Chief Learning and Development Officer, Sila Services, King of Prussia, PA
- Dave Kyle, President and CEO, Trademasters, Lorton, VA
- Martin Hoover, Co-Owner, Empire Heating & Air Conditioning, Decatur, GA
- Melissa Frause, Vice President, Bob’s Heating & Air Conditioning, Woodinville, WA
- Wes Davis, Director of Technical Services, ACCA, Alexandria, VA
Legislators and their staff will learn how Congress can help make safe and affordable systems more available to constituents.
For more information, please contact ACCA’s VP of Communications, Marketing, and Partnerships Kate Wessels at kate.wessels@acca.org or 703-824-8864 (text or call).