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As a first step toward the goal of reducing hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) production and consumption by 85 percent over the next 15 years under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a proposed rule that establishes a baseline for HFC consumption and production allowances.

Learn more about how ACCA addressed its members’ #1 legislative priority (workforce) by urging Congressional leadership to support greater funding for the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins) in Fiscal Year (FY) 2022.

Chairman Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Ranking Member Virginia Foxx (R-NC) of the House Committee on Education and Labor announced the launch of a bipartisan effort to reauthorize the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which is the primary federal workforce development legislation in the United States.

Informal testing results from Trane shows GFCI outlets or disconnects severely effect variable capacity equipment (ECM/brushless rotor motors / inverter technology). Single speed and two speed equipment has proven to be less susceptible to nuisance trips. This is good news, but much more work needs to be done.

Indoor comfort, especially in extreme climates, is a necessity for many people. Eventually, significant HVAC components will wear out. One way that an essential environment is provided is through their home HVAC system. An HVAC system contains many vital parts to make it operate properly and provide the indoor comfort, so many people seek. Every year homeowners across the country experience HVAC equipment failure. Many experience these issues in the peak season, such as the dead of winter or the height of summer. One way to help your clients reduce the chances of equipment failure is to employ a surge protection device for their HVAC system.

ACCA urged Congress to support the Jumpstart Our Businesses by Supporting Students (JOBS) Act (S. 864/H.R. 2037). This bipartisan, bicameral legislation increases the flexibility of Pell Grants by extending eligibility to short-term job training programs which are in high demand.

A member recently asked ACCA about the appropriate paperwork that they should have employees fill out and what documentation the employee needs to provide. ACCA’s Hilary Atkins shares what you need to know.

Last week, Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced legislation that would incentivize the quality installation of air source heat pumps.

Last week it was reported that President Biden’s administration is developing a tax plan that would raise $2.1 trillion in federal revenue over 10 years.

This week the IRS extended the deadline for individuals to file and pay their taxes from April 15 to May 17, 2021.

The federal government will pay 100 percent of COBRA insurance premiums for employees who lost their jobs because of the pandemic, and for their covered relatives, through September, allowing them to stay on their company-sponsored health plan, under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that President Joe Biden signed into law on March 11.

ACCA’s Legal Expert, Brooke Duncan, answers a member’s question about how long former employees have to file wrongful termination claims.

The SBA recently announced steps it is taking to prioritize the smallest businesses and other individuals for PPP loans. ACCA’s Chris Czarnecki has the details for ACCA members.

NOAA’s forecast can help you plan to make the most of spring maintenance and, finally…it looks like it’s going to be a busy summer.

When it comes to diagnosing furnace pressure switches, a few crucial skill sets must be employed. ACCA’s Matt Akins explains.

ACCA supports an emergency amendment submitted by AHRI. The amendment delays the requirement for GFCI disconnects for inverter driven (or power conversion) equipment until 2023.  An NFPA Standards Council decision on the amendment is not expected until April 2021.

A member asked whether they can dock an employee’s pay for continued mistakes on the job. ACCA’s Hilary Atkins explains what business owners can and cannot do in terms of employee pay.

The 2020 Edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC) now requires ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) protection for outdoor outlets, which would include disconnects for HVAC/R condenser units and other outlets. The new requirement is covered in this blog.

For many parts of the country, temperatures are dropping, condensing furnaces need servicing, and drain lines are freezing. When these lines freeze, most HVAC systems are designed to shut off, leaving clients dashing for a solution.

A member asked about paying for travel time for technicians and ACCA’s Hilary Atkins answers.