AHRI Update
May 16, 2024
Top Stories
Important Information for Policy Symposium Attendees
The 2024 AHRI Policy Symposium begins Monday, and we look forward to welcoming attendees to Washington, DC for the industry’s premiere advocacy event!
The AHRI Registration Desk will be open during the following dates and times to pick up your name badge and conference materials:
- Monday, May 20, 6:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. | Potomac Ballroom Foyer (ballroom level)
- Tuesday, May 21, 6:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Potomac Ballroom Foyer (ballroom level)
- Wednesday, May 22, 6:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | River Birch Ballroom Foyer (meeting room level)
Don’t forget to download the AHRI mobile app, which is an excellent resource for members and attendees throughout the Policy Symposium. Use it to navigate the hotel, personalize your meeting schedule, learn about speakers and sponsors, and connect with fellow attendees. An app tutorial is available here, or contact Regan Spencer with questions.
Plan to Attend These Events!
May 20: AHRI Welcome Reception
Westin Washington, DC Downtown | Potomac Ballroom 3 | 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
After a day full of engaging sessions and collaboration, join your fellow meeting attendees and AHRI staff to unwind with a cocktail at our Welcome Reception before you head out to dinner in Washington, DC. Don’t miss this valuable opportunity to connect with your industry peers.
May 21: Joint Advocacy Reception with AHRI, HARDI, and PHCC
Capitol Hill | Cannon Caucus Room | 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
AHRI is teaming up with the Heating, Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) and the Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors National Association (PHCC) for a joint reception to highlight the combined power of our industry’s voice in Washington. Congressman Randy Weber (R-TX) is set to join the event, which is expected to garner additional participation from members of Congress and congressional staff.
Additional information is available online here. Contact: Lauren Little.
AHRI/Industry News
AHRI Connect Revamp Underway
AHRI’s Member Services team is in the process of implementing an enhanced look and feel on the AHRI Connect webpages. You may have noticed changes to the homepage, which now more closely matches the look and feel of AHRI’s website.
All existing libraries, communities, and content will remain, and AHRI is in the process of adding new videos and documentation to enhance the user experience. As notable changes and improvements are implemented, they will be featured in the “Announcements” column of your Connect homepage.
If you have any questions about the updates, or recommendations on content you wish to see added, please submit a ticket to Member Services. Contact: Betz Rother.
Register Today! AHRI Announces Remaining Dates for Three-Part Webinar Series on A2L Refrigerants
AHRI is hosting a three-part webinar series on A2L refrigerants designed to assist authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) and members of the fire service by providing background, context, and the current landscape of the A2L refrigerant transition. Building on information from the first webinar, “Introduction to A2L Refrigerants,” the following sessions will discuss specific, technical aspects of A2L refrigerant use.
Part 2: Updates to Standards and Model Codes
Friday, May 31, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EDT
Register here.
Part 3: State and Local Codes & Available Resources
Wednesday, June 12, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. EDT
Register here.
Taking place later this month, part two of the webinar series will focus on the standards and model codes that have been updated to address the use of A2L refrigerants. Tom Deary, AHRI Director of Codes, will host the conversation, joined by:
- Harshad Inamdar, Research Engineer, Advanced Research, Rheem Manufacturing Company
- Andrew Klein, Consultant, Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute
- Kevin Scott, Consultant, Johnson Controls
- Ron Shughart, Compliance Engineer Project Manager, Heat Transfer Products Group, Rheem Manufacturing Company
They will discuss the following standards and model code updates:
- Standards Updates
- UL 60335-2-40
- UL 60335-2-89
- ASHRAE 15
- ASHRAE 15.2
- UL 60335-2-40
- Model Code Updates
- International Mechanical Code®
- International Residential Code®
- Uniform Mechanical Code®
- International Fire Code®
- NFPA 1, The Fire Code®
- International Mechanical Code®
Legislative and Regulatory
AHRI to Host EPR Compliance Webinar with the Circular Action Alliance
Ahead of several key deadlines regarding Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws across the country, AHRI is partnering with the Circular Action Alliance (CAA) to discuss how to comply with this new type of packaging regulation. Register here, and plan to join AHRI and John Hite from the CAA on May 30 from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. EDT.
The webinar will cover topics including:
- The scope of EPR law
- How the HVACR and water heating industry will be impacted
- Ways to ease compliance and reporting
- Any remaining questions about how the laws will be implemented
Several states, including California, Oregon, Colorado, and Maine, have recently passed EPR laws, creating a new system of waste and recycling management by placing the costs of the programs on producers of packaging and plastics entering the states. These EPR laws require that brand holders whose packaging enters the state register with a “producer responsibility organization (PRO),” which will then charge fees to producers based on factors such as weight and recyclability of packaging.
The Circular Action Alliance, a non-profit formed by industry stakeholders and including companies like Amazon, General Mills, Kraft Heinz, and PepsiCo, serves as the PRO for California, Oregon, and Colorado. To comply with EPR laws, CAA has asked producers to register with the organization by July 1, 2024, with reporting beginning by March 1, 2025 in Oregon. Contact: Chris Bresee.
Certification
AHRI Welcomes New Certification Program Participants
AHRI is pleased to welcome A.C Humidin Air Systems Pvt Ltd to the Forced Circulation Air-Cooling & Air-Heating Coils (ACHC) - AHRI 410 Certification Program as an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). Contact: Bill Tritsis
Standards
AHRI Announces Standard Revision Project
The Commercial Unitary Standards Technical Committee (STC) has begun a project to revise AHRI Standard 365-202x (SI/I-P), Performance Rating of Commercial & Industrial Unitary Air Conditioning Condensing Units. This revision will consolidate AHRI Standard 366 (SI) into AHRI Standard 365 (I-P) to create a joint unit standard and update the 2009 editions of both standards. Anyone is welcome to join this project by becoming a member of the STC in accordance with AHRI Standards Process rules. Contact: Antonio Romeo.
AHRI Standards Open for Public Review and Comment
Technical Review
AHRI invites public comments on the technical content of the following draft AHRI standard. Based upon comments received, the Commercial Unitary Standards Technical Committee (STC) will decide whether to make changes. A copy of the draft and list of revisions are available at the link below.
Document Designation/Title: AHRI Standard 260-202x (I-P), Sound Rating of Ducted Air Moving and Conditioning Equipment
STC: Airside
Public Review Deadline: June 16
Contact: Jerry Yeh
Document Designation/Title: AHRI Standard 300-202x (SI/I-P), Sound Rating and Sound Transmission Loss of Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps
STC: Airside
Public Review Deadline: June 17
Contact: Jerry Yeh
Document Designation/Title: BSR/AHRI Standard 1400-202x (I-P), Performance Rating of Indirect Water Heaters
STC: Hydronic Systems
Public Review Deadline: June 24
Contact: Panos Fykas
Limited Review
AHRI invites public comments on a limited review of the technical content of the following draft AHRI standard. Based upon comments received, the Waterside and Refrigeration STC will decide whether to make changes. A copy of the draft and an explanation regarding the limited review is available at the link below.
Document Designation/Title: AHRI Standard 270-202x (SI/I-P), Sound Rating of Outdoor Unitary Equipment
STC: Waterside and Refrigeration
Public Review Deadline: June 16
Contact: Jerry Yeh
Please see more information regarding these documents here. Contact: Jerry Yeh
Weekly Update from ASHRAE, ANSI, and SCC
This week’s summary of standards activities at ASHRAE, ANSI, and SCC that is relevant to AHRI’s work is available here. Current and previous standards activities for ASHRAE can be found here. Current and previous standards activities for ANSI can be found here.
International
Biden Administration Announces Plans for More Section 301 Tariffs on China; Will Maintain Current Tariffs
On May 14, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) released its review of the Section 301 China tariffs, noting that “products currently subject to section 301 duties should remain subject to the additional duties” (p. 84, para. 3).
On the same day, the Biden Administration announced new tariffs “in strategic sectors.” Targeted products are listed in this press release, including a new tariff rate of 25 percent on “certain steel and aluminum products.” The USTR will establish an exclusion process limited to certain 8-digit tariff lines included in Appendices K and L of the review report.
AHRI staff identified the following AHRI member products and components in Appendix K (p. 173), but recommends each member company perform its own analysis.
- 8418.69.00 - Refrigerating or freezing equipment nesoi
- 8419.50.00 - Brazed aluminum plate-fin heat exchangers
- 8419.50.00 - Heat exchange units, nesoi
Additionally, USTR is expected to issue a Federal Register notice next week announcing a comment period on the additional tariffs and on the exclusion process. AHRI will notify members upon publication. Contact: Michael LaGiglia.
AHRI Vice President Attends Meeting with VISRAE in Vietnam
On May 13, Bridge Xue, AHRI Vice President of Asia Operations, met with Dr. Nguyen Xuan Tien, Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Society of Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (VISRAE), and Cao Dai Thang, Chairman of the Intech Group.
During the meeting, Dr. Tien outlined the changes happening within Vietnam’s HVACR industry, emphasizing the need for a VRF testing lab in the country. He explained that Intech launched a new labeling program for its VRF product, but that it needs to be reconsidered according to the new AHRI standard 1230, and there currently are no domestic testing labs.
The group also discussed the new energy efficiency (SEER2/HSPF2) requirement for unitary small equipment, and Xue updated the group about the refrigerant transition in North America, as well as the new AHUC classification for hospital and factory environments according to AHRI 1350. After the meeting, Xue visited several manufacturers from Hanoi. Contact: Bridge Xue.
AHRI Participates in Inaugural Meeting of Green Cooling Council in Mumbai
On May 11, Vikram Murthy, AHRI India Representative, and Dalip Singh, AHRI Senior Technical Analyst, participated in the first meeting of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Green Cooling Council (GCC) in Mumbai. The Council’s objective is to facilitate the reduction of the cooling industry’s carbon footprint, while serving as a knowledge and technology resource.
The GCC is made up of industry representatives, technology suppliers, service providers, associations, and government agencies seeking to enable:
- Development and promotion of low-carbon technologies,
- Partnerships with research institutions to advance research in green cooling, and
- Development of a network between innovative startups seeking to provide solutions for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and end users.
In addition, the GCC will focus on the following areas for addressing sustainability in cooling:
- Comfort Cooling,
- Industrial Cooling, and
- Cold Storage.
AHRI will be a key stakeholder in the GCC, representing its members as well as providing a global perspective on issues such as carbon reduction and sustainability. Contact: Dalip Singh
AHRI MENA to Host Webinar on Indoor Air Quality
AHRI’s MENA office will be hosting a webinar titled, “Air Quality & Filtration Technologies for Sustainable Buildings: an HVAC Perspective,” on May 22 from 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. GST. It will focus on crucial factors that affect indoor air quality and how it can be improved. From understanding pollutants, to exploring solutions for healthier environments and offering new options to improve the energy efficiency of HVAC equipment, this webinar will provide important information for HVAC professionals and homeowners. Attendees will hear from two regional experts, Dr. Iyad Al-Attar, Visiting Fellow at the school of aerospace, transport, and manufacturing at Cranfield University; and Eng. Iyad Al Jurdy, Founder and Managing Director at Petrichor IAQ. Click here to register. Contact: Hassan Kal.