Aside

Part 1 in this series covered defrost cycle problems in heat pumps. Now, let’s discuss the second major winter issue: heat pumps stuck in one mode.

Your phone rings at 7:00 AM in January. The homeowner says their heat pump quit, and the house is freezing. When you pull up, there’s ice everywhere on the outdoor unit — a solid block covering the whole thing.

When homeowners hear the words gas furnace, their minds often jump to the worst-case scenario. Carbon monoxide, cracked heat exchangers, “dangerous flames,” and internet horror stories can make even a routine tune-up sound frightening. As professionals, we walk a fine line: we must communicate safety issues clearly and honestly—without creating unnecessary alarm or sounding like we’re upselling fear. 

As we head into the Thanksgiving season, it’s a perfect time to pause and reflect on the power of gratitude—especially in the contracting world. A wise person once shared with me that in life, you find what you’re looking for. If you look for frustrations, you’ll find them. But if you look for moments of gratitude, you’ll find those too. 

A change is coming to the installation instructions for some equipment — one that will primarily affect ducted systems without a leak detection system and multi-split units (one outdoor unit and multiple indoor units). 

There’s a common misconception in the field that duct sizing is mostly about “keeping ducts small to keep the air moving.” You’ve heard it: “Smaller ducts make the air go where it’s supposed to.” But the truth is, as ACCA Manual T® makes clear, air distribution isn’t about how fast you can shove air through an airway — it’s about delivering the required volume to the supply register.

When customers expect their system to handle heat loads it was never sized for, complaints start rolling in. Explaining why their system can’t exceed its designed capacity helps customers understand realistic performance limits and manage their expectations. Here’s how to inform customers so they know their system’s capabilities and limitations.

Community engagement is vital for HVACR companies because it builds trust, raises awareness, generates leads, creates customer loyalty, and helps you stand out. Here’s a guide to help you plan effective outreach events for better community engagement.

Heat pumps may not be the golden child of the federal government like they were under President Biden, but that hasn’t put a dent in their popularity with everyone else. See why heat pumps continue to gain traction and what to expect as we head into 2026.

Successful contractors who attended ACCA 2025 are sharing proven strategies to reduce churn rates, turning customer complaints into competitive advantages and transforming one-time service calls into decades-long relationships.

I have mixed feelings about ChatGPT — so I asked it directly. ChatGPT said: That’s a fair and important question. The honest answer is: you can trust ChatGPT for many things, but not everything. Here’s a breakdown:

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.