Aside

At a recent conference for utilities, there was a lot of discussion about heat pumps. Some program managers lamented that while heat pumps were being installed by the tractor trailer load, they weren’t saving energy. Read more in this member-only blog.

Recently, OSHA proposed a rule that would allow non-employees, including union officials and other individuals, to accompany federal safety inspectors during workplace inspections. Click here to learn more.

Recently, the Department of Labor finalized a rule that enacted the largest changes to the Davis Bacon Act in several decades. The effort focused on ‘modernizing’ the regulations, allowing the department to more easily administer and enforce Davis-Bacon-related standards. Read more about the changes in this members-only blog.

Do duct booster fans work? In this article, we will explore the effectiveness of duct booster fans and whether they live up to their promises. Read more in this members-only blog.

This article will go over the steps necessary to make estimated calculations of the system’s pressure, superheat, and subcooling without refrigerant gauges. Read more in this members-only blog.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released its long-anticipated guidelines for state energy offices to implement the Inflation Reduction Act’s residential rebate programs. Read more in this members-only blog.

In accordance with the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, which was enacted in 2021 to address environmental concerns, the EPA has issued a final rule mandating a 40% reduction in HFCs starting from 2024. Read more in this members-only blog.

In this blog is an overview of the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) Summer Program Meeting I recently attended. My main goal was to let program managers from electrical and gas utilities and other industry representatives know what is on the horizon with the electrification hurdles we are seeing and will see with the IRA incentives. Read more in this members-only blog.

ACCA, the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET), and the International Code Council published a new standard to reflect an HVAC system’s installation in the Energy Rating Index (ERI) score. Read more in this members-only blog.

On Tuesday, June 20, 2023, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals (the Court) issued an opinion granting ACCA’s petition to overturn the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ban on disposable cylinders and proposed QR code tracking system. Read more in this members-only blog.

Let’s delve into common mistakes, embrace actionable solutions, reduce callbacks, minimize liability, increase revenue, and strengthen your brand. Together, we embark on a transformative journey toward HVAC excellence. Read more in this members-only blog.

I was at a technical conference recently and I heard the presenter use the word “hope.” Now I’m not a person who will quickly reject the idea of applying hope to a situation or a set of circumstances. But I would also like to think that in the technical environment, it’s not something we would ever rely on. This presenter was talking about one of my favorite topics: heat pumps. Read more in this members-only blog. 

Alternative refrigerants are being used to replace HFC refrigerants in various applications, including refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pumps. Learn more in this members-only blog. 

Last week, Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) reintroduced S.1706, the Main Street Tax Certainty Act, which would make the Section 199A deduction for small businesses structured as ‘S-corporations’ or ‘pass-through entities’ permanent. Read more on this members-only blog. 

HFC refrigerants are being phased out due to their high global warming potential (GWP). The “natural” refrigerant R-290 (propane) has emerged as an increasingly viable low-GWP alternative. However, current US safety standards limit refrigeration system charges to 0.33 lbs (150g).  Read more in this members-only blog.

Last month, the House Small Business Subcommittee on Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Workforce Development held a hearing on workforce issues, particularly those facing the skilled trades, and potential solutions for small businesses and prospective employees. Read more in this member-only blog post.

A Maintenance Ambush is when a customer calls for maintenance, knowing their system has problems. Learn how to handle this situation in this members-only blog.

This summer, HVAC contractors will be working hard in the scorching summer heat. Read this members-only blog to learn about working in hotter climates.

The Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act would radically rewrite labor laws to restrict employers’ rights. Read more about the PRO Act in this blog.

In response to electrification, some companies are promoting hydrogen. Read more about hydrogen as a fuel source in this ACCA Members-only article.