AHRI Update
April 14, 2025
AHRI, HARDI File Suit Against New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Over Amended Part 494 Regulations
AHRI and the Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) have jointly filed a lawsuit against the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), challenging recent amendments to New York regulations that impose sweeping bans and restrictions on the refrigerants used in air conditioners, heat pumps, refrigeration, and water heaters.
The amended regulation, 6 NYCRR Part 494, which took effect earlier this year, significantly expands prohibitions on the sale, use, and installation of products containing hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants in New York. HARDI and AHRI’s legal complaint, filed in the New York State Supreme Court, argues that the NYSDEC did not follow the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) and failed to adhere to required administrative procedures in implementing the revised rule.
The lawsuit asserts that NYSDEC’s amended rule conflicts with the federal regulatory framework established under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in contravention to the requirements included in the CLCPA. It also highlights the lack of adequate public engagement and economic analysis required under New York law.
HARDI and AHRI are seeking to invalidate the revised portions of Part 494 and halt enforcement until the rulemaking process can be re-evaluated with proper stakeholder input and legal grounding that follows the EPA timelines. More information on the lawsuit is available here. Contact: Francis Dietz.
AHRI/ Industry News
AHRI State Summit Registration Deadline Approaching
Fewer than two weeks remain to register for the two-day AHRI State Summit, to be held April 29-30, in Albany, New York. Registration will close on April 22. This event is an important opportunity for our members to communicate directly with New York lawmakers about the positive impact of our industry on jobs and the economy, energy efficiency, innovation, health and safety, and the environment.
This meeting also offers the unique opportunity for attendees to meet face-to-face with New York state legislators and their staff. Advocating for your company’s interests and building relationships with elected officials is crucial to a successful government relations strategy.
As part of your attendance at the State Summit, AHRI’s experienced government affairs team will handle the coordination of these visits, ensuring that you are connected with relevant legislators to address your priorities.
See the engaging sessions planned for our program of events, which features expert keynote speakers, informative sessions led by key officials, and opportunities to networking with colleagues. Contact: Lauren Little
Policy Symposium General Session to Examine Changes Within Regulatory Agencies
New administrations can usher in significant changes for the business community. In the general session, View from the Agencies: Regulators’ Perspective, a panel of current and former federal agency staff members will discuss how new energy, environment, trade, and tariff policies will affect the manufacturing industry, and the best ways to navigate these new developments in the near-term and beyond.
Taking place on Monday, May 19, it is one of several sessions at the 2025 AHRI Policy Symposium in Washington, DC that will examine the perspectives of some of the biggest decision makers in the federal government. Contact: Lauren Little
Hydrogen Heating Network to Host Virtual Conference
The Hydrogen Heating Network (HHN) will host a two-day virtual conference to discuss current challenges and opportunities in implementing the technology in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Experts will discuss key topics including low-pressure hydrogen applications, material impacts, leakage studies, and recent research. The event is designed for professionals who are working with hydrogen and hydrogen blends, such as manufacturers, gas utilities, safety authorities, and standards and certification bodies. The conference will take place May 28-29 from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EDT. Click here to register. Contact: Francis Dietz.
Legislative and Regulatory
Join Us for Two Legislative Webinars in May
AHRI’s government affairs team will host two important webinars next month. On May 2, join us for Welcome to Lobbying! How to Make the Most of Your Capitol Hill Visits at the AHRI Policy Symposium. The ability and willingness of our member companies to establish relationships and work with their elected representatives at the federal level are key to the ultimate success of AHRI's – and our industry's – lobbying efforts. There is simply no substitute for face-to-face interaction and relationship building to disseminate information and influence outcomes. This educational webinar will help members develop effective federal advocacy programs in advance of AHRI-coordinated visits to Capitol Hill on May 20, during the 2025 Policy Symposium.
Also, learn more about the energy and environment policy priorities of the Trump-Vance Administration on May 7 during The First 100 Days of the Second Trump Administration. Bracewell Partner Scott Segal and others will review the administration's actions over the first 100 days and discuss their impact on the HVACR and water heating industry. Contact: Makenzie Horrigan.
AHRI Submits Letter on Appliance Standards to DOE Secretary Wright
On March 28, AHRI submitted a letter to Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Chris Wright urging that any changes to the Department’s appliance efficiency program, established by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) and subsequent amendments such as the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act (NAECA), maintain the core principle of one federal standard rather than many state and local standards. Contact: Samantha Slater.
Regulatory Information is Always Available!
AHRI members have ready access to information on all current state and federal regulatory activity through a number of vehicles, including the Government Relations Group virtual meeting on the third Monday of each month and the weekly Policy Brief, which outlines all the latest state and federal regulatory activities in which AHRI is involved. To be added to the list for our monthly Government Relations Group calls, please email Morgan Anderson. To be added to the list for the weekly Policy Brief, please send an email to [email protected]. The latest regulatory information also is provided at AHRI’s main meetings – the Policy Symposium, held in May of each year in Washington, DC (registration information provided above), and the Leadership Forum, held each year in November. Contact Francis Dietz.
Certification
AHRI Welcomes New Certification Participant
AHRI is pleased to welcome Zhejiang Sharbo Electric Appliance Co., Ltd. to the Unitary Air-Conditioner Equipment (USAC) and Unitary Heat Pump Equipment (USHP) Certification Programs. AHRI is also pleased to welcome Carrier International Sdn. Bhd. to the Room Fan-Coils (RFC) Certification Program.Contact: Bill Tritsis
Standards
AHRI Announces Standard Revision Project
The Commercial Refrigeration Standards Technical Committee (STC) has begun a project to revise AHRI Standard 1320-202x (SI/I-P), Performance Rating of Commercial Refrigerated Display Merchandisers and Storage Cabinets for Use With Secondary Refrigerants. The revision project will align AHRI Standard 1320 with ANSI/AHRI Standard 1200-2023, Performance Rating of Commercial Refrigerated Display Merchandisers and Storage Cabinets, and consolidate AHRI Standard 1321-2011 (SI) to create a joint-unit document. Contact: Greg Kalyniuk.
Weekly Update from ASHRAE, ANSI, and SCC
This week’s summary of standards activities at ASHRAE, ANSI, and SCC that are 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
AHRI Submits Comments to Mexico on Draft Energy Efficiency for Self-Contained Commercial Refrigeration Equipment
On April 2, AHRI submitted comments (in Spanish and English) to Mexico’s National Commission for the Efficient Use of Energy (CONUEE) and Ministry of the Economy regarding the revised energy efficiency standard for self-contained commercial refrigeration equipment (NOM-022-ENER/SE-2024) of the existing standard, NOM-022-ENER/SCFI-2014. Contact: Michael LaGiglia.
AHRI India Participates in Panel at ACRECONF
On March 22, AHRI India Representative Vikram Murthy attended ACRECONF in Delhi, India, the largest technical conference for the HVACR industry in South Asia.
During this year’s event, which focused on codes and standards, Murthy served as a panelist during a discussion of recent updates to India’s Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Code and National Building Code. Contact: Vikram Murthy.