Skip to main content

AHRI Update

December 12, 2024

Top Stories

 

It's time to begin planning for the 2025 AHR Expo. AHRI is proud to co-sponsor the event, which will be held at the Orange County Convention Center, in Orlando, Florida, from February 10-12. AHRI staff and working groups have organized nine different educational sessions covering some of the most significant topics in the industry.

A detailed description of each session is available here, and the schedule is below. Click here for the most up-to-date list of all education sessions being offered during the Expo.

Monday, February 10

Tuesday, February 11

Contact: Adanna Le Gendre.

Session Spotlight: What You Need to Know About 25C Homeowner Energy Efficiency Tax Credits

Every week leading up to the 2025 AHR Expo, AHRI will be highlighting one of the educational sessions organized by our staff and working groups. This week, we start the series with “What You Need to Know About 25C Homeowner Energy Efficiency Tax Credits,” which will cover the essential information individuals need to gather if they plan to claim the credit. Beginning in 2025, no credit will be issued unless items are produced by qualified manufacturers and the taxpayer reports the PIN for the item on their tax return. AHRI staff will cover the information required to obtain a PIN and where to access it, and then demonstrate how to do so. We expect this to be a popular session, so make plans to attend on Monday, February 10, from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. in room W311EF. Contact: Adanna Le Gendre.

AHRI Encourages Members to Sign Support Letter for 25C Tax Credits

AHRI encourages member companies and industry leaders to share their support for the continuation of the 25C Homeowner Energy Efficiency Tax Credits, which have enjoyed widespread manufacturer and contractor support since their implementation as part of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. With significant changes coming to Congress in the coming months, now is the time to present a united front to protect the measures that have strengthened and expanded these credits. 

These hard-fought gains are now at risk. The incoming Congress plans to pass a $5 trillion tax bill, and the tax writers are looking for ways to partially pay for its cost. The energy efficiency tax credits are on the list for potential elimination.  If our industry values the improved 25C tax credit, we must be loud and persistent in opposing its elimination.

Accordingly, we are asking member companies to support an effort by the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association to present a letter of support to the Chairmen of the Senate Committee on Finance and the House Committee on Ways and Means. The letter is available here, and member companies can sign on in support here. Contact: Samantha Slater.

AHRI/ Industry News

Join AHRI for “Welcome to Voter Voice” Webinar

Join AHRI's Government Affairs staff on December 17 at 1:00 p.m. EST for a webinar, "Welcome to Voter Voice," which will introduce member companies to the grassroots advocacy software system Voter Voice. AHRI Senior Director of Government Affairs Petra Smeltzer will be joined by Adam Campbell of FiscalNote to host the session, which is designed to serve as an introduction or a refresher on one of our most valuable tools! Click here to register now.

AHRI member companies currently have 50,000 U.S. employees who can use this software to help their advocacy efforts in a number of ways, such as:

  • Organizing letter-writing campaigns,
  • Sending email blasts to legislators,
  • Refining key messages, and
  • Tracking engagement and response from issue stakeholders.

AHRI wants to support these member efforts by spreading awareness of this software and how it can help strengthen existing government affairs programs. Contact: Petra Smeltzer.

Legislative and Regulatory

EPA Issues Pre-Publication Technology Transitions VRF Final Rule

On December 9, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the pre-publication version of the final rule permitting the use of components manufactured or imported prior to January 1, 2026, for the installation of new variable refrigerant flow (VRF) air-conditioning and heat pump systems until January 1, 2027. An extended deadline of January 1, 2028, applies to certain projects with building permits issued before October 5, 2023, meeting specific conditions. Contact: Samantha Slater.

Washington State Department of Ecology to Host Public Meeting on Hydrofluorocarbons Rulemaking

The Washington State Department of Ecology will host its first public meeting, via Zoom, on December 16, regarding the hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and other fluorinated greenhouse gases rulemaking. The meeting will take place from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. PST. The HFC Rule makes amendments to Chapter 173-443 WAC, including revisions to WAC 173-443-075 to modify the sell-through provision, revisions to WAC 173-443-040 to modify the prohibitions for automatic commercial ice machines, and other necessary technical and administrative changes throughout the chapter. 

Click here to register for the meeting. Contact: Nicole Colantonio.

CalRecycle to Host SB 54 Advisory Board Meeting Tomorrow

Tomorrow, December 13, CalRecycle will host an Advisory Board meeting for the implementation of SB 54 (Allen, Chapter 75, Statutes of 2022). During this meeting, the Advisory Board will discuss: 

  • Advisory Board member appointment terms
  • Revised proposed SB 54 regulations
  • Template for Advisory Board "Barriers & Solutions" recommendations report

A link to the Advisory Board agenda, and information on how to participate in this meeting, can be found on the Advisory Board Repository. Those interested in attending can register here. Contact: Nicole Colantonio.

CalRecycle Announces Hearing Procedures Workshop and 15-Day Comment Period for SB 54 Implementation

On December 2, CalRecycle opened a 15-day comment period for the SB 54 Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act Permanent Rulemaking, imposing a comment deadline of December 17. AHRI previously submitted comments on November 4 to recommend amendments to the proposed exemption process and timeline for exempted materials to protect the safe transport and handling of HVACR products. Contact: Nicole Colantonio.

EPA Extends Comment Period for PFAS Risk Management Request for Information

On November 20, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced an extension of the comment period for the notice originally published in the Federal Register on September 30, which seeks public comment on the manufacture of certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), during the fluorination of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and other plastic containers to inform regulations as appropriate under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The new deadline for interested parties to submit comments is December 30. Contact: Makenzie Horrigan and Hayley Davis.

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Opens Request for Comments on PFAS Management

On November 18, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) began a new rulemaking request for comment (RFC) period on the implementation of Amara’s Law, which restricts the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Minnesota. Comments are due one week from today, December 19. 

The agency first solicited comments in September 2023 on PFAS in Products: Reporting, and PFAS in Products: Fees, as two separate rulemakings. The purpose of this second RFC is to combine these two rules to ensure the fee process is a direct part of the reporting system being created for products with intentionally added PFAS. This second RFC is MPCA’s legal notice of its intent to begin rulemaking. AHRI submitted a request for a Currently Unavoidable Use (CUU) designation in March 2024. Contact: Makenzie Horrigan and Hayley Davis.

AHRI Members Encouraged to Comment on ASME BPVC Section VIII Scope Proposal

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is considering a scope change to its Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) Section VIII, Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels, that would eliminate long-standing exemptions for certain equipment manufactured by AHRI’s member companies. The change, if successfully implemented, removes key exemptions that the HVACR and water heating industry has successfully covered with its own codes and standards for decades, and would alter the way relevant standards and codes interact with, and are interpreted by, jurisdictions. Comments are due Tuesday, December 31.

In addition to the comments that AHRI will submit, AHRI encourages all member companies to submit their own public comments to illustrate how this change will impact their business and operations. AHRI has prepared a document with a list of key talking points and instructions for how to submit a public comment. Read AHRI’s white paper on the topic, HVACR Equipment Represents Performance and Safety, here. Contact: Tom Deary.

Certification

AHRI Welcomes New Certification Program Participant

AHRI is pleased to welcome Gree Electric Appliances, Inc. of Zhuhai to the Heat Pump Pool Heaters (HPPH) Certification Program. Contact: Bill Tritsis. 

Standards

Unitary Small Equipment STC Issues Call for Members for 1380 SWG

AHRI’s Unitary Small Equipment Standards Technical Committee (STC) has issued a call for members to join a new Standards Working Group to determine the modifications and updates necessary to revise AHRI Standard 1380-2019 (I/P), Demand Response Through Variable Capacity HVAC Systems in Residential and Small Commercial Applications.

Stakeholders from outside the USE STC are encouraged to participate in accordance with the current AHRI Policy & Procedures for the Development of Standards. Contact: Austin Kim.

AHRI Publishes Revised Standard

After approval by both the Commercial Unitary STC and the Standards Committee, AHRI has published the revised AHRI Standard 365-2024 (SI/I-P), Performance Rating of Commercial and Industrial Unitary Air-Conditioning Condensing Units. Contact: Antonio Romeo.

AHRI Standard 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 Air Handling and Distribution STC will decide whether to make changes. A copy of the draft and the list of revisions is available through the document’s link, listed below.

Document Designation/Title: AHRI Standard 1350-202x (SI/I-P), Mechanical Performance Rating of Central Station Air-Handling Unit Casings
STC: Air Handling and Distribution
Public Review Deadline: January 1, 2025
Contact: Benjamin Heyser

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 Hosts Industry Executives in Dubai; Announces New Measures to Advance Regional Priorities

On December 4, AHRI’s MENA office welcomed more than 30 executives from leading regional and international member companies to its meeting, “Convening HVACR Leaders: Shaping the Future of the Industry.” This exclusive summit provided a platform for industry leaders to determine the next steps in shaping the HVACR industry's future in the region amid rapid growth, environmental shifts, and regulatory changes. 

During the event, AHRI shared two significant announcements to strengthen industry activities in the Gulf region: Thanks to a partnership between AHRI and GCC LAB, a new certification testing lab will be established in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The facility’s location will drastically cut the costs associated with shipping equipment for certification testing, making AHRI’s globally recognized programs more accessible to manufacturers. In addition, AHRI will collaborate with DMG Events and ASHRAE RAL to launch a new expo, “HVACR World,” with the inaugural show scheduled for November 2025 in Dubai, UAE.

These developments will enhance AHRI’s ability to help the HVACR industry in its ongoing collaborations with regional governments and regulatory bodies as they pursue energy and environmental goals, including the refrigerant transition, the adoption of energy efficient technologies, and technician training and workforce development. 

In remarks to attendees, AHRI President and CEO Stephen Yurek appealed for thoughtful environmental policies, stating that, “For environmental policies to be successful they must be attainable – not aspirational - and they must be economically justified and based on a sound assessment of current and future needs, supplies, and demands.” Yurek was joined in leading the meeting’s discussion by AHRI Senior Vice President of Global Services Henry Hwong, and AHRI MENA Managing Director Nabil Shahin. Contact: Nabil Shahin.

HRAI to Host Virtual Meeting on Quebec Regulatory Issues

On December 16, from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EST, the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI), will host a virtual meeting to help members navigate several active regulatory issues in the province of Quebec. HRAI staff will be joined by Charles Bernard from Impact Public Affairs to review topics such as extended producer responsibility, French language labeling, and right-to-repair regulations.  The meeting is open to AHRI members. Those interested in joining can register here. Contact: Perry Chao.

Subscribe to the AHRI Update Newsletter

Subscribe Today

International Updates

Talk to the Public Affairs Team

Reach out to our team members with your questions.

Contact Us