ACA/NE hopes you are doing well and staying healthy. As the world works to regain normalcy of some type, we remain optimistic about the future!

The feedback ACA/NE has received is that business has not slowed for most through the pandemic. With that, we understand that other problems present themselves with a limited-size workforce, other restrictions and just not enough hours in the day.

If there is anything ACA/NE can do to provide support to your business, please let us know! The Association is here to serve you, and getting your feedback on what you need is always beneficial.

ACA/NE has submitted a proposal to the Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) to create an HVAC Construction Supervisors License (CSL). Since submitting the proposal, the BBRS has created a Study Group to resolve issues identified by several Boards. Manny Chaves, from Chaves Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. and ACA/NE's Government Affairs Committee Chairman, will represent the Association on the Study Group.

ACA/NE continues to work to defeat legislation to require that residential HVAC contractors obtain a refrigeration license. Currently, the license is required for work over 10-tons. The bill has been refiled for 2021.

ACA/NE has submitted proposed amendments with the Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) to revise the provisions that allow only HERS Raters and BPI Certified professionals to conduct duct testing and testing of mechanical systems.

While the provisions are currently not in effect, ACA/NE has learned that this issue could be resolved as updates are made to the 2021 Energy Code.

During the Final Public Comment Hearing on the 2019 Proposed Changes to the International Codes ("Group B"), the ICC membership approved proposed changes that (a) deleted "Exception 1", which exempted ducts located within the thermal envelope from being leak tested, and (b) added a leak test criteria and tolerances for such ducts.

The proposed changes were opposed by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), the National Association of Home Builders and the National Multi-Family Housing Council, among others. Despite their comments and testimony, the proposals were narrowly approved for publication in the 2021 Editions of the IECC and IRC, which are pending publication by the ICC.

ACA/NE will file an amendment to the Massachusetts Building Code, that if passed, will not require that a duct air-leakage test be conducted where the ducts and air handlers are located entirely within the building thermal envelope.

ACCA has designed a new simplified form that HVAC companies can use when submitting an application for HVAC work. The new form will be helpful to both contractors and building inspectors, as the form is not designed to make the process of obtaining a permit less cumbersome. Since every city and town has its own process, this simplified form could standardize permitting.

ACA/NE plans to introduce this form to the BBRS.

ACA/NNE is continuing to work with Efficiency Maine on program updates, contractor concerns and other initiatives. Most recently, the ACA/NNE discussed concerns with the updates made to the Rebate Form. These changes were discussed in their March Newsletter for Registered Residential Vendors.

Due to the continuing concerns of COVID-19, ACA/NE and ACA/NNE held the annual HVAC/R Technical and Management Conference virtually this year. With a different format, new speakers and updated sponsor offers, ACA/NE and ACA/NNE did their best to provide attendees with information-packed sessions to benefit their businesses.

For next year, ACA/NE and ACA/NNE hope the Conference will be held in-person and better than ever!

PS. You can still purchase access to the Conference!

ACA/NE and ACA/NNE appreciate your continued membership year after year! Your support for ACA/NE and ACA/NNE's mission and goals does not go unnoticed!

Associate Membership Dues Renewal Invoices were sent out at the beginning of the year! If you did not receive yours or have a question about your company's dues, please email Katie.

Contractors Membership Dues Renewal Invoices will be sent out at the beginning of June and are due on July 1, 2021. As a reminder, payment plans are available!

With your ACA/NE and ACA/NNE Membership, you also receive complimentary membership with Service Nation as a Service Roundtable Member!

Being a Service Roundtable Member gives you access to rebates, marketing content, educational content and more! Below are some links for a few recent webinars and articles you might find beneficial.

Vanessa Leite | Administrative Assistant