Blogs

Urgent Code Matter: NEC GFCI Exemption for HVAC to Expire

By David Bixby posted 10-28-2025
The National Electrical Code (NEC) has had a Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter (GFCI) exemption for outdoor HVAC equipment which will be deleted . Without this exemption, many HVAC systems could shut off for no reason. These nuisance trips will cause potentially dangerous problems for some homeowners (mobility challenged or mechanically disinclined). This could create “callbacks” that eat company profits or take time away from customers with more serious problems. See the September 15, 2025, ACCA Press Release for more details. Recommended Grassroots Action Today, on behalf of the ACCA Codes Subcommittee, a notification was sent to all Allied ...

The hidden profit in your existing customer base

By Air Conditioning Contractors of America posted 10-08-2025
The numbers don’t lie: HVACR contractors are hemorrhaging money through customer churn. Dan Dinsmore, CEO of Overit, delivered a sobering wake-up call during his session, “Turning Up the Heat on Customer Loyalty”, at ACCA 2025 in Austin, Texas, in March: “For a smaller HVACR company doing about $2 million in net services, you’re looking at about $500,000-$600,000 churn” when effective retention tactics aren’t in place. With baseline churn rates hitting 25%-35% across the industry, contractors are essentially throwing away a year’s worth of growth annually. But successful contractors at the conference shared proven strategies that flip the script—turning ...

Read the latest edition of ACCA Now Magazine online

By Air Conditioning Contractors of America posted 02-19-2025
The newest edition of ACCA Now Magazine is now available online for members. As part of our transition to a quarterly, members-only publication, this issue delivers even more in-depth, high-quality content to help HVACR professionals stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry. Inside, you’ll find: The Power of Exchange – How MIX Groups® drive learning and leadership growth Tax policy at the crossroads – Why it matters to contractors Effective strategies for skilled trades outreach – Attracting and retaining top talent Manual D® or duct design? – The best methods for calculating airways With this ...

EPA Proposes One Year Sell-Through for Variable Refrigerant Flow Systems Under AIM Act

By Chris Czarnecki posted 07-05-2024
Contractors may get another year to sell certain Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems. Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a rule that would allow a one-year sell-through period for VRF systems using HFCs with a global warming potential (GWP) of 700 or greater. Contractors might recall that in December 2023, EPA published an Interim Final Rule to allow for the inventory of certain residential and light commercial air conditioning and heat pump systems to be sold and installed for one additional year (until January 1, 2026). This latest proposal extends a similar grace period to VRF systems. The proposed rule would grant a one-year ...

IAPMO Uniform Mechanical Code Updating to ACCA Manual S® – 2023

By David Bixby posted 05-28-2024
One of ACCA’s roles is to support sensible code changes that promote safety and improve our environment and fight the bad code changes that create chaos for our contractors. The members of ACCA’s Codes Subcommittee are dedicated to advise staff to achieve this goal. We are happy to report another recent code hearing that resulted in achieving this goal. Manual S®: Win At the IAPMO Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) hearing earlier this month, ACCA’s proposal to update Manual S®, Residential Equipment Selection , to the 2023 edition was accepted by the UMC Technical Committee (TC). This action puts the latest edition of Manual S on track to be accepted ...

ACCA Fights and Wins at Code Hearings

By David Bixby posted 04-15-2024
ACCA was successful in getting nearly all of its code proposals approved during the first stage of the code development process. A summary of the Code Action Hearings (CAH) conducted by the International Code Council (ICC) last week is shown below. This includes some code proposals that we fought against (and won), including other observations. Win - International Residential Code (IRC) – Mechanical ACCA’s proposal to delete two exceptions under M1401.3, Equipment and appliance sizing , based on ACCA Manual S - 2023 ®, Residential Equipment Selection , was approved. The exceptions are no longer needed due to the new Manual S ® which is now specified ...

OSHA Finalizes Walkaround Rule, Allowing Non-Employees on Workplace Inspections

By Chris Czarnecki posted 04-02-2024
On March 29, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued its final “Walkaround” Rule that will have major implications for workplace inspections and, potentially, labor relations in the industry. OSHA's final rule expands the scope of who can participate in its workplace inspections. Notably, it permits unions and other third-party entities, which could include individuals with objectives contrary to the interests of the employer, to accompany OSHA inspectors. This change is part of a broader attempt by OSHA to amend the existing regulations regarding representatives of employers and employees during inspections. Key Points and Concerns: ...

The Three Reasons People Hate Me

By Ed Janowiak posted 03-29-2024
Previously Last month, I wrote an article that was titled "What is Wrong with Manual J®,” and shared my observations of three different groups and how they see the results that are produced when following the guidance of Manual J®. If you haven't read it, click here. Take a peek and come on back. Many Thanks I had a few folks share their comments with me, and I first want to say I truly appreciate everybody who takes the time to share their thoughts as it helps me more than you realize, so thank you for that. Scott Savidge shared his thoughts, and while it doesn't exactly fall into my three groups from the previous article, it brings up ...

ACCA Submits Comments to Treasury Regarding Proposed Pin Requirement for 25C, Treasury Seeking Further Input from Contractors

By Chris Czarnecki posted 03-26-2024
Earlier this year, 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. ACCA provided comments to Treasury regarding the proposed regulations, with a specific focus on the following points: Simplifying the PIN Identification Process ACCA requested that the 25C PIN be clearly marked and easily identifiable. Whether on the product itself, its packaging, or an accompanying certificate, the identification should be unmistakable as a “25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit PIN #.” This clarity is important for ...

PULL A PERMIT & PROVE IT: ACCA Improves the HVAC Plan Review Form

By David Bixby posted 03-18-2024
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 ...

States Taking Different Baby Steps Towards IRA Rebate Programs

By Chris Czarnecki posted 02-21-2024
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 ...

IRS Moratorium on Employee Retention Credit, What to Know

By Chris Czarnecki posted 02-16-2024
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 ...

Senator Cruz and Representative Fischbach Introduce Resolutions to Overturn DOE's Ban on Non-Condensing Furnaces

By Chris Czarnecki posted 02-05-2024
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 ...

House Passes Tax Legislation, Sending it to Senate

By Chris Czarnecki posted 02-01-2024
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 ...

Department of Labor Finalizes Rule on Independent Contractor Classification

By Chris Czarnecki posted 01-11-2024
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 ...

Treasury, IRS Propose PIN Requirement for 25C Residential Tax Credit, Seek Contractor Input

By Chris Czarnecki posted 01-09-2024
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 ...

ACCA Comments on EPA's HFC Refrigerant Management Rule Under the AIM Act

By Chris Czarnecki posted 12-19-2023
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) ...

ACCA Raises Defense Production Act Concerns with Congress Regarding Heat Pumps

By Chris Czarnecki posted 12-08-2023
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 ...

Contactors & Relays

By Matt Akins posted 11-29-2023
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 ...