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ACCA’s Government Relations Committee gathered 1,100+ contractor comments to select four priority issues and 12 federal solutions.

The newest edition of ACCA Now Magazine is now available online for members. Inside, you’ll find: Meet your 2025 Commercial Contractor of the Year Heat Pumps Surge Ahead: What HVACR contractors need to know How Ray O. Cook uses ACCA QI Certificates to prove their quality ACCA’s policy priorities – developed by contractors, delivering for contractors Can you trust ChatGPT?

It started with a member’s question: “How do I know if there’s silicone in my A2L press-connect O-ring seals—and why is the EPA warning me about it?” That question sent us down the rabbit hole. What we found buried in the EPA Section 608 training materials is a blanket warning against silicone O-rings in mechanical fittings for A2L refrigerants.

This year, the HVACR industry entered a new chapter as manufacturers moved away from R-410A and begin releasing equipment designed for A2L refrigerants like R-454B. For contractors, this shift is not just a regulatory requirement, it’s a chance to strengthen customer relationships, differentiate your business, and capture new market opportunities. 

When ducts are sweating and customers complain about feeling sticky despite running the AC, the dew point gives you the answer.

If moist air is lighter than dry air, basement dehumidifiers seem to defy basic physics. A contractor’s simple question reveals a complex building science principle in this members-only exclusive.

ENERGY STAR’s future has been uncertain since May, when the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced plans to shut down or privatize the program as part of a broader rollback of energy-efficiency standards. Now, Congress is stepping up to defend the program.

The energy efficiency tax credits that have been driving premium system sales are about to disappear. Here’s what contractors can do to take advantage of these incentives before they’re gone.

Energy-efficient home construction just got a reprieve. Contractors working on qualifying projects under the 45L tax credit have more time to complete work before the federal incentive disappears. 

Two major education funding changes in President Trump’s new tax law open opportunities for HVACR contractors that didn’t exist before. Families can now use college savings accounts for trades training, and federal grants will cover short-term certification programs starting in 2026.

President Trump signed his “one big, beautiful bill” into law on July 4 after a nail-biting final push in the House. Here’s how HVACR contractors can expect its changes to affect their businesses.

Jeff Stewart from Trane Technologies, an ACCA Premium Strategic Partner, presented exclusive field data at ACCA’s May Codes and Coffee session, showing how thousands of variable capacity systems actually perform in homes across America.

While attending ACCA 2025 at the Kalahari Resort in Texas this past March, I was asked a question that comes up often. The question focused on adding extra BTUs to the calculated heat gain to account for what was described as “additional loads.”

The International Mechanical Code (IMC) created and resolved a challenge facing HVACR professionals working in multifamily buildings. In 2024, the IMC effectively prohibited A2L refrigerant line sets from routing through a ventilated fire-rated shaft.

The latest episode of Codes and Coffee showcased ACCA and CEE’s nine digestible heat pump guides that give contractors and homeowners valuable tools for proper system selection and installation.  

ACCA has been informed of a newly issued policy in the City of St. Louis regarding the use of A2L refrigerants in residential HVACR systems. This policy is intended to provide interim local guidance on using mildly flammable refrigerants under the 2018 International Mechanical Code (IMC) while referencing elements from the 2024 IMC and pending 2027 proposals. 

In today’s business environment, effective risk management can help take you to the next level of success and safety. It can bring your team closer, encourage active safety practices, and show that you care for the well-being of your business and employees. 

Just like at a birthday party where a kid eagerly asks for more ice cream or cake, the HVACR industry is no different—everyone wants more.