Author: David Bixby

Get Ready for January and Regional Efficiency Standards: ACCA’s Codes & Coffee on October 19 featured Alex Ayers of HARDI who provided valuable insights on the new AC and heat pump efficiency standards. Contractors need to get ready for January now, especially in the Southern regions of the U.S. 

ACCA member Ed Lehr testified earlier this month at the NFPA Standards Council’s hearing in Boston. Lehr testified in support of appeals submitted by ACCA and other organizations regarding the National Electrical Code (NEC). The appeals were to urge the Council to fix a bad code change by expanding the current exemption to cover all outdoor HVAC equipment from the NEC requirement for GFCI protection.

After several years of development, ASHRAE has published a new safety standard for installation of residential A2L refrigeration systems. Read all about the important requirements for handling A2L leakage risk including leak sensors here.

Recently, the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) Committee approved proposals submitted by ACCA for public comment. The proposals add the option of conducting a duct airflow balancing procedure per ACCA 5 QI, as well as adding ACCA Manual D, to ensure a more efficient HVAC thermal distribution system.

Nuisance trips on outdoor HVACR equipment connected to GFCIs due to the 2020 NEC have created quite a stir. Many states in the U.S. have excluded this requirement due to the efforts of ACCA and others. Regardless of all this, your installed equipment needs to be properly grounded and bonded per the NEC.

Typically, a home energy rater will conduct duct leakage tests and leakage tests on the home’s building envelope in accordance with energy codes. ACCA has proposed adding a code exception to conduct an airflow balancing procedure instead, thus giving contractors an opportunity to provide a more valuable service. 

See the major takeaways HVAC contractors should know from the ICC Mechanical Code Public Comment Hearings that took place in Pittsburgh last month.

Learn more about the Standards Council of the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Tentative Interim Amendment (TIA) and what it could mean for your HVAC business.