AHRI Update

March 21, 2024

Top Stories

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Let Your Voice Be Heard on Capitol Hill During the 2024 AHRI Policy Symposium

On May 21, AHRI will coordinate congressional visits on behalf of its member companies during the 2024 Policy Symposium. These meetings will offer a unique opportunity for AHRI member companies of all sizes to engage with elected representatives. Advocating for your company’s interests and building relationships with key officials is crucial to any successful government relations strategy and the collective success of our industry’s lobbying efforts.  

AHRI staff and contract lobbyists possess decades of Congressional and government affairs experience. We are ready to make your visits constructive and stress-free, as we discuss our industry’s legislative and regulatory priorities with decision-makers who can have an enormous influence on your company and your customers.

Following a full day of meetings with members of Congress, you can participate in another joint industry networking opportunity without having to leave Capitol grounds. Back by popular demand, AHRI, HARDI, and PHCC will host a Joint Advocacy Reception in the Cannon Caucus room, highlighting the combined power of our industry's voice in Washington. The event will feature participation from members of Congress and Congressional Staff.

AHRI is strongly encouraging small- and medium-sized manufacturers to attend this year's Policy Symposium, adding your unique voices and experience to our industry's presence on Capitol Hill. In this week's testimonial, we're highlighting Randy Niederer, Energy Ambassador with Cambridge Air Solutions, who says his experience during the 2023 Policy Symposium established a critical foundation for creating connections with lawmakers who represent Cambridge and its employees in Missouri.

Hear his message, in his own words, here.

All of the resources you need ahead of the 2024 Policy Symposium are available online. Click here for more details about registration, and here for information about booking your accommodation. Contact: Lauren Little.
 

AHRI/Industry News

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AHRI is pleased to welcome AIRSYS Cooling Technologies, Inc. as a full member. The company is in the applied sector, specializing in datacom cooling and single package vertical units. Contact: Michael Golden.
 
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AHRI Returns to the California State Capitol!

For the first time since 2019, AHRI State Summit participants will meet with California lawmakers within the State Capitol. The building, and its legislative offices, were closed to visitors during the state's Covid-19 state of emergency, only reopening in February 2023.

By returning to the Capitol for the first time in five years, the 2024 State Summit serves as a unique opportunity to communicate directly with key California lawmakers, and rekindle connections made during previous events, strengthening your platform to share our industry’s position on the critical policy decisions affecting your businesses, employees, and customers.

Advocating for your company’s interests and building relationships with elected officials is crucial to a successful government relations strategy. AHRI's Government Affairs team is arranging meetings with key members of the legislature to ensure that members are able to meet with lawmakers who represent them geographically, as well as those who focus on priority legislation.

AHRI has planned a number of informative, engaging panels ahead of the Capitol visits to ensure that you are prepared. The final session before departing for the Capitol, "Meeting California Legislators: 2024 Legislative Priorities," will provide you with an understanding of the legislature's priorities and how they overlap with industry issues.

Moderator: Dawn Koepke, McHugh Koepke Padron Government Relations 

Panelists:
•    James Gallagher (R), Assembly District Three
•    California State Representatives: TBD

We hope you will plan to join us in Sacramento, providing your knowledge and experience to the state’s most influential decision makers. You can register here by the April 9 deadline. Contact: Lauren Little.

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.

Legislative and Regulatory

ICC Board Favorably Rules on AHRI IECC Appeals

On March 18, the International Code Council Board of Directors voted favorably on AHRI’s procedural and preemption appeals regarding the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code, moving several affected code provisions to the appendix and affixing cautionary notes to those that could violate the federal preemption provisions of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. AHRI issued a statement on the Board’s decision.  For additional information about the Board’s actions, click here.  Contact: Laura Petrillo-Groh.

 

 

 

AHRI Submits Opposition Letter, Plans to Testify on Colorado Appliance Requirements Bill

AHRI submitted a letter of opposition and submitted testimony on Colorado House Bill (HB) 24-1352, “Appliance Requirements & Incentives,” which outlined several concerns, including potential Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) violations.

The legislation outlines the following new requirements for covered HVAC systems, which includes many air conditioners:

  • A factory installed reversing valve and other necessary components that allow the covered unit to operate as a heat pump in heating mode
  • Controls that allow the ability to set the heat pump as a heating source and set any other equipment as a supplemental heating source
  • A set crossover temperature that maximizes the cost-effectiveness of the heat pump in heating mode

The bill is currently scheduled to be heard in the Colorado House Committee on Energy & Environment on March 21, and AHRI plans to testify.

AHRI’s letter of opposition and testimony focus on concerns that these requirements violate the federal preemption provisions of EPCA, and would make it impossible for manufacturers to comply with both federal and state regulations regarding product efficiency requirements. AHRI noted that states are expressly preempted by EPCA from establishing energy use requirements more stringent than those set by DOE for covered products and alleges that this bill would place Colorado in violation.

AHRI also raised concerns regarding design cycle issues, emphasizing that the bill only allows two years for compliance, which is insufficient for equipment modification. AHRI believes that including state-specific prescriptive product requirements in a short time frame may lead to significant shortages of covered HVAC products in Colorado, as the industry may not have the time to meet these requirements by the deadlines set forth in the bill. Contact: Chris Bresee.

AHRI Submits Comments on Proposed Standards for Commercial Fans

On March 19, AHRI submitted comments to the Department of Energy (DOE), responding to proposed energy conservation standards for commercial fans and blowers. DOE proposed minimum efficiency standards for return and exhaust fans over 1 hp in regulated commercial equipment and for all fans over 1 hp in most non-regulated equipment, such as central station air handling units. AHRI believes these regulations will add to costs, reduce market choices, and do little to realize further energy savings.

AHRI’s evaluation of 5,700 embedded fan selected duty points showed that 70.8 percent of the HVACR and water heating equipment currently in scope have fan(s) that would not comply with the proposed Fan Energy Index (FEI). AHRI objected to the proposed levels for embedded fans, noting the many ways DOE’s analysis does not adequately take into consideration fans in HVACR and water heating equipment.

Changes to an integral component, even if fan diameter is not changed, will require finished-goods manufacturers to redesign and retest existing and legacy equipment. AHRI also expressed concern that the unavailability of HVACR replacement parts could cause consumers to have to replace the entire unit. Contact: Laura Petrillo-Groh.

Certification


AHRI Issues 2024 Performance Awards

HRI issued its 2024 Performance Awards to eligible certification program participants that completed annual program tests without failures for three consecutive years. Business leaders and employees with registered administrative roles can download award certificates in the AHRI Analytics App from the 'Performance Award' submenu under their 'My Account' tab. Contact: Darlene Swinton.

Standards

AHRI Announces Standard Revision Project

The Air Handling and Distribution Standards Technical Committee (STC) has begun a project to revise AHRI Standard 1350-202x (SI/I-P), Mechanical Performance Rating of Central Station Air-Handling Unit Casings. The project’s scope also covers the consolidation of ANSI/AHRI Standard 1350-2014 (I-P) (with Addendum 1) and ANSI/AHRI Standard 1351-2015 (SI) (with Addendum 1).

Anyone is welcome to join the project by becoming a member of the STC in accordance with AHRI Standards Process rules. Contact: Benjamin Heyser.

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 Hydronic Systems STC will decide whether to make changes. The draft and a list of revisions are available at the link below.

Document Designation/Title: AHRI Standard 1500-202x (I-P), Performance Rating of Commercial Space Heating Boilers
STC: Hydronic Systems
Public Review Deadline: March 25
Contact: Panos Fykas

Maintenance Review

The Applied SSC 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: BSR/AHRI Standard 900-2015 (I-P), Performance Rating of Thermal Storage Equipment Used for Cooling
STC: Thermal Storage Equipment
Public Review Deadline: April 8
Contact: Sarp Hamamcioglu

Document Designation/Title: BSR/AHRI Standard 901-2015 (SI), Performance Rating of Thermal Storage Equipment Used for Cooling
STC: Thermal Storage Equipment
Public Review Deadline: April 8
Contact: Sarp Hamamcioglu

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 Director Participates on Dubai Sustainability Panel

On March 7, AHRI MENA Managing Director Nabil Shahin participated in a panel discussion titled, "Sustainable Data Centre Design and Construction" during the Middle East Datacenter 360 Conference in Dubai, UAE. In his remarks, Shahin emphasized the importance of adopting higher efficiency equipment and implementing sustainable construction practices. He encouraged the industry to take proactive measures to drive positive environmental impact, specifically noting the agreements made during COP28. Contact: Hassan Kal


 

AHRI Participates in IGBC Green Data Center Technical Committee Meeting

On February 27, AHRI Senior Technical Analyst Dalip Singh participated in the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) Green Data Centre Certification Technical Committee meeting in Mumbai.

The committee is tasked with revising the existing DC certification program to include the following:
•    Improved power usage effectiveness (PUE) levels 
•    A shift to lower global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant 
•    Improved water efficiency and indoor air quality levels
•    Higher operational and maintenance efficiency

The committee will be working in three specific work groups to address these points. AHRI is participating in the PUE levels working group. Contact: Dalip Singh

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