AHRI Update
April 18, 2024
Top Stories
Register Today for AHRI’s “Welcome to Lobbying” Webinar
AHRI members, especially those who plan to attend the 2024 AHRI Policy Symposium, are invited to join AHRI’s Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Samantha Slater for the webinar, “Welcome to Lobbying! How to Make the Most of Your Capitol Hill Visits.” It will be held Friday, April 19 from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. EDT. Click here to register.
The ability and willingness of AHRI member companies to establish relationships and work with their elected representatives at the federal level are a key to the ultimate success of AHRI’s – and our industry’s – lobbying efforts. Just as with your company’s customers, as effective and important as emails, phone calls, and letters can be, there is simply no substitute for face-to-face interaction and relationship building as a way to disseminate information and influence outcomes. However, meeting elected officials, getting to know them, and establishing yourselves and your companies as important resources to them in their work can be an intimidating and daunting task.
This webinar will teach you how to develop or enhance your federal advocacy programs and relationships with congressional representatives and ensure successful Capitol Hill visits during the upcoming AHRI Policy Symposium.
Designed to help members build a presence in Washington, DC and learn how to easily advocate for your company's legislative priorities, this webinar will demonstrate:
- How vital your perspective is on issues of importance to your company – and the best ways to provide that perspective
- The importance of the jobs you create and sustain in establishing your credibility to weigh in on issues
- The reality that every single card, email, letter, phone call, and personal visit is tallied in each office on every major issue
- The simple fact that your representatives and their staff actually rely on your company’s expertise and perspective to help them make informed decisions - far from being a nuisance, you are actually a welcome help
So, mark your calendars and make plans to join AHRI's professional staff and either strengthen your existing government affairs program or take the mystery out of creating a new one. Contact: Makenzie Horrigan.
AHRI/Industry News
Final AHRI Membership Dues Reminder
On December 15, AHRI sent the official membership dues invoice email to O-Reps, A-Reps and Dues Billing Reps. Weekly reminder emails, containing a secure link to the invoice, are sent every Wednesday to any Member AHRI hasn’t received payment from. Please submit your payment as soon as possible. Contact: Katherine Hunt.
Register Today! AHRI to Host 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. The one-hour webinars will cover topics such as:
Properties of A2L refrigerants,- Regulatory changes that have led to this refrigerant transition,
- Research on A2L refrigerants,
- Recent updates to relevant standards and model codes,
- Current landscape of state and local code updates and legislation regarding the use of A2L refrigerants, and
- Resources that are available for more information on A2L refrigerants and relevant regulatory activity.
The initial session, “Introduction to A2L Refrigerants,” will take place Wednesday, May 1 from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. EDT. Hosted by Tom Deary, AHRI Director of Codes, the session will also feature Stephen Spletzer, the Chemours Company’s Global Technical Service Manager of Thermal & Specialized Solutions, and Allison Skidd, Rheem’s Director of Global Regulatory Affairs for Air. Click here to register.
Legislative and Regulatory
Policy Symposium Hotel Cutoff Approaching!
The 2024 AHRI Policy Symposium, is just over one month away, and our hotel block is filling up fast! Make sure you reserve your hotel room before the April 26 deadline! Click here to make your reservation.
This year’s meeting will take place at the Westin Washington, DC Downtown, 999 9th Street NW. Located in the heart of DC, halfway between the White House and Capitol Hill, the newly renovated space features gracious hospitality and a thoughtful blend of refreshed, contemporary surroundings.
The AHRI Policy Symposium group rate for a standard room is $369.00 per night, plus tax. We strongly encourage you to book your hotel room now, as our group block may sell out before the cutoff date. Once AHRI’s block is full, please reserve your hotel room directly through the Westin Washington, DC Downtown.
The AHRI Policy Symposium is a unique opportunity to engage with key players on Capitol Hill and in the federal agencies, address our industry’s legislative and regulatory priorities, develop relationships with new and emerging leaders, and strengthen existing ones.
For those who have not yet registered, late registration begins on April 29, at which time fees will increase from $450 to $500. Do not miss the opportunity to participate in the following general sessions and events:
- The Role of Media in Policymaking
- Fireside Chat: The Art of Policymaking
- The Policy Process 101
- Inside Federal Agencies - The Regulatory Process from the Regulator's Perspective
- Policymaker Perspectives on Energy & Climate Policy
- Breakfast and Congressional Briefing
- AHRI-coordinated Legislative Visits on Capitol Hill
- Joint Industry Reception with HARDI and PHCC
Contact: Lauren Little.
Standards
ASHRAE/AHRI Publish Revised Joint ANS
As part of a Joint Sponsorship Agreement, ASHRAE and AHRI have published ANSI/ASHRAE/AHRI Standard 155-2024, Method of Testing for Rating Commercial Space Heating Boiler Systems. The standard is available for purchase on ASHRAE’s website here. Contact: Jerry Yeh.
AHRI Publishes Revised Guideline
After approval by the Refrigerants/Refrigerant Recovery Standards Technical Committee (STC) and the Multi-Sector Products Standards Subcommittee (SSC), AHRI published the revised AHRI Guideline K-2024 (I-P), Containers for Recovered Non-Flammable Fluorocarbon Refrigerants. The guideline can be viewed here. Contact: Greg Kalinyak
AHRI Announces Standards Project
The Water Heater STC began a project to develop a new standard, BSR/AHRI Standard 1530-202x (SI/I-P), Demand-Flexible Commercial Electric Storage Water Heaters, which will address the need to define demand flexibility requirements for products installed in commercial applications.
Anyone interested in participating in this project should contact Jacob Waxman.
AHRI Standards Open for Public Review and Comment
Maintenance Review
The Air Handling and Distribution STC proposed that the following published AHRI standards be reaffirmed and requests public comment on whether they should be reaffirmed, revised, or withdrawn.
Document Designation/Title: AHRI Standard 440-2019 (I-P), Performance Rating of Fan-Coil Units
STC: Air Handling and Distribution
Public Review Deadline: April 28
Contact: Sarp Hamamcioglu
Document Designation/Title: AHRI Standard 441-2019 (SI), Performance Rating of Fan-Coil Units
STC: Air Handling and Distribution
Public Review Deadline: April 28
Contact: Sarp Hamamcioglu
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
AHRI MENA Managing Director Featured in Gulf Construction Magazine
AHRI MENA Managing Director Nabil Shahin was featured in Gulf Construction’s April edition in an article titled, “Energy-efficiency Need of the Hour: AHRI.” In it, Shahin addressed key trends in the HVACR industry in the Middle East, the crucial role of energy-efficient technology in curbing emissions, and the ambitious climate goals set by Cooling Pledge signed during COP28. Read more about Shahin’s insights into the HVACR industry in the region here. Contact: Hassan Kal
AHRI MENA Managing Director Appears on Tech Panel
On April 12, AHRI MENA Managing Director, Nabil Shahin, participated in a panel discussion hosted by Thermal Control Business Update titled, “Energy-efficient HVACR Technologies 2024.” During the discussion, Shahin highlighted the importance of AHRI’s certification and standards in ensuring equipment is both reliable and energy efficient. Contact: Hassan Kal
AHRI Participates in China Refrigeration Expo, Meets with Member Companies
From April 8-10, AHRI President and CEO Stephen Yurek and Senior Vice President of Global Operations Henry Hwong joined the staff from AHRI’s China office in attending the 2024 China Refrigeration Expo in Beijing. During the expo, Yurek led a presentation titled, “State of the Refrigerant Transition and Other Industry Issues” in a round table meeting with industry partners. He also joined the AHRI-ASERCOM-CARR meeting to discuss PFAS regulations in Europe and a new standard for compressors.
AHRI staff had the opportunity to meet face-to-face with several company representatives during the expo, and visited AHRI members Hisense-Hitachi and Haier in Qingdao after the event. Contact: Bridge Xue.