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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.

ACCA has begun the process to review several of its current standards that are recognized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).  According to ANSI’s Essential Requirements, once a standard is approved it must be reviewed every 5 years to determine whether it requires (a) additional changes or updates, (b) reaffirmation if no changes are needed, or (c) withdrawal.

As the United States of America’s 59th presidential election approaches, Americans across the country are taking up their responsibility to educate themselves on the political platforms and policies promoted by Republicans and Democrats alike before November 3rd. The following information provides a comprehensive breakdown of the most critical economic policies of both platforms, as identified by BIPAC. These policies have been endorsed by the RNC and DNC Platforms.

Learn more about H.R. 8547, the Incentivize Residential Energy Efficiency Act, which Congressman Roger Williams (R-TX) introduced, and find out how this important legislation could affect your HVAC business.

Summer is here! With the summer comes a hectic season with excellent business opportunities too. However, at the same time, the risk goes up while working in hot spaces. According to OSHA, “Most outdoor fatalities, 50% to 70%, occur in the first few days of working in warm or hot environments because the body needs to build a tolerance to the heat gradually over time.” (Occupational Safety and Health Administration).