Aside

A member asked ACCA about whether or not they must compensate employees for court-related activities that are due to an accident that happened in a company vehicle.

The 2021 edition of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) has added a new leak testing requirement for ducts located within the thermal envelope.  Previous editions had exempted such testing for those locations.

At this time of year, consumers are turning on the heat.  Because of this, the gas appliance venting system must be inspected and tested to ensure safe operation.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) unanimously approved to push back the date when California will transition to refrigerants with low global warming potential (GWP).

Typically, when I write about shots this time of year it has to do with duck season, but not in 2020. Last week, the United Kingdom became the first western country to approve a COVID-19 vaccine for mass use. Experts expect the United States to do the same within the coming weeks. This marks a tremendous scientific achievement and the first page of the last chapter of a pandemic that has disrupted our world and way of life in what seems like countless ways.

Earlier today ACCA spoke with individuals in Congress who are making the final push of 2020 for additional Paycheck Protection Program funds to be released, expanded PPP forgiveness, and full PPP deductibility.

Today ACCA urged the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which has been tasked with developing a COVID-19 vaccination game plan, to prioritize HVACR contractors and technicians for vaccine access given the critical, essential nature of their work.

Yesterday ACCA joined the US Chamber of Commerce to push for a second round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, tax deductibility for PPP funds, and expanded PPP loan forgiveness.

San Francisco will ban the use of natural gas in new buildings starting next year, becoming the latest city in California to clamp down on the heating and cooking fuel because of climate concerns.  The measure will require all-electric construction for buildings — with exceptions for restaurants — starting in June 2021, according to an ordinance passed last month by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. It’s the strictest natural gas prohibition passed by a big city so far in California.

Today ACCA President and CEO Barton James pressed leaders in Congress regarding the non-deductibility of PPP funds, and ACCA’s sense that Congress should take rapid action during the “lame duck” session to rectify the issue.

The International Code Council (ICC) has begun its 2024 code development process and confirmed its Committee Action Hearings will go virtual for participants only.  This is the first time in the ICC’s history they have conducted code hearings in this way.

Working with modern furnaces, you should know the ins and outs of the equipment and operation sequence. For example, what do you do when the flames ignite but extinguish rather quickly? Let’s assume the flame sensor is the problem.

A part of fall furnace maintenance is measuring combustion efficiency.  The ACCA  4 QM Maintenance of Residential HVAC Systems requires the inspection of several furnace components; one of the key tasks is to perform combustion analysis.

As we approach tax season it’s important to know how PPP funds might affect your overall tax burden. You may remember that earlier this year the IRS announced that any expenses paid for by PPP loans which are forgiven would not be eligible for deductions.

The International Code Council (ICC) and the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) have commenced a new 3-year code change cycle commencing next year.  This process will result in the publication of the 2024 editions for both code bodies.

Furnace and boiler season is upon us. Many homeowners are preparing their homes for the heating season. This preparation includes weatherizing their homes and scheduling an appointment to have an HVAC technician come to their home and inspect that their furnaces or boilers operate safely.

Republicans in Congress, and particularly those in the Senate, fared far better in this election than experts expected them to. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (KY), Senator Lindsey Graham (SC), Senator Joni Ernst (IA), Senator John Coryn (TX), and Senator Susan Collins (ME) all coasted to relatively comfortable victories in races which their opponents were heavily funded, and that were also projected to be much tighter.

As Veterans Day approaches on November 11, we remind ourselves of the sacrifices and bravery of all the American veterans who have served our country in the United States Armed Forces. The qualities of loyalty, integrity, honorable service, and respect are not just confined to the military service of these men and women; Rather, it is important to recognize how veterans bring these same qualities to their indispensable service in the HVACR industry.

We know that carbon monoxide (CO) is dangerous. We also believe that CO alarms will alert us to dangerous levels of CO. But a study conducted in 2011 of residential carbon monoxide alarms found that more than half failed to function correctly, alarming too early or too late. Forty percent of detectors failed to alarm in hazardous concentrations, despite outward indications that they were operating as intended.  The study’s sample size was extremely small, but the implications are enormous, and the opportunity to protect your customers is tremendous.

Cool Insights, Air Conditioning Contractors of America’s Contractor Financial & Operating Performance Report, presents a unique and detailed analysis of financial results from Air Conditioning Contractors across the country. ACCA’s compilation of financial and operations data, drawn from over 153 company surveys, is segmented by a host of factors to ensure your HVAC business is comparatively exceeding the industry average.