ACA/NE Works For HVAC Contractors at the Legislative and Regulatory Level
SEPTEMBER 2023
Mass Save Engagement
Good News! MassSave and its Program Administrator have agreed to reengage with ACA/NE! The plan is to develop better communications and improve the working relationship between HVAC Contractors and MassSave.
A first meeting with MassSave and its principal sponsors is in the planning process. Our goal is to reinstate a process wherein HVAC contractors can provide insight, comments, and suggestions based on experience that ensures that new MassSave programs are developed in the best interest of all parties.
Future communications will inform members of our progress, but your input is also welcome. If you have a particular issue or concern that you would like to have MassSave address, please get in touch with katie@acane.org.
A first meeting with MassSave and its principal sponsors is in the planning process. Our goal is to reinstate a process wherein HVAC contractors can provide insight, comments, and suggestions based on experience that ensures that new MassSave programs are developed in the best interest of all parties.
Future communications will inform members of our progress, but your input is also welcome. If you have a particular issue or concern that you would like to have MassSave address, please get in touch with katie@acane.org.
ACA/NE Continues Effort to Pass HVAC CSL
ACA/NE CONTINUES TO WORK FOR PASSAGE OF HVAC CSL
ACA/NE has joined forces with the Commonwealth’s building official associations to move the proposed HVAC Construction Supervisors License (CSL) forward.
ACA/NE and the Building Officials have sent several joint letters to the Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) requesting they approve the amendment. The building officials who signed the letter include:
Kathleen Nugent – President - Massachusetts Federation of Building Officials (MFBO)
Nelson Miller, President - Massachusetts Building Commissioners & Inspectors Association (MBCIA)
David Gardner, President - Building Officials of Western Massachusetts ((BOWM)
Robert Berger, President - MetroWest Building Officials Association (MWBOA)
Patrick Franey, President - Southeastern Massachusetts Building Officials (SEMBOA)
ACA/NE anticipate the new HVAC CSL will result in a simplified and uniform HVAC permit. Moreover, the new license would be subject to all the obligations imposed on other construction supervisorsACA/NE submitted the
As ACA/NE and Building Officials have worked together to develop the HVAC CSL proposal, they have already created a curriculum outline and reached out to educational institutions like The Gould Construction Institute to ensure that training and testing will be readily available.
Click here to review the Joint Letter and Packet
ACA/NE has joined forces with the Commonwealth’s building official associations to move the proposed HVAC Construction Supervisors License (CSL) forward.
ACA/NE and the Building Officials have sent several joint letters to the Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) requesting they approve the amendment. The building officials who signed the letter include:
Kathleen Nugent – President - Massachusetts Federation of Building Officials (MFBO)
Nelson Miller, President - Massachusetts Building Commissioners & Inspectors Association (MBCIA)
David Gardner, President - Building Officials of Western Massachusetts ((BOWM)
Robert Berger, President - MetroWest Building Officials Association (MWBOA)
Patrick Franey, President - Southeastern Massachusetts Building Officials (SEMBOA)
ACA/NE anticipate the new HVAC CSL will result in a simplified and uniform HVAC permit. Moreover, the new license would be subject to all the obligations imposed on other construction supervisorsACA/NE submitted the
As ACA/NE and Building Officials have worked together to develop the HVAC CSL proposal, they have already created a curriculum outline and reached out to educational institutions like The Gould Construction Institute to ensure that training and testing will be readily available.
Click here to review the Joint Letter and Packet
UNDER TEN-TON REFRIGERATION LICENSE LEGISLATION
For the past several years, ACA/NE has worked to defeat legislation requiring that residential HVAC contractors obtain a refrigeration license.
ACA/NE members are opposed to these bills because they would require residential HVAC contractors to obtain a refrigeration license to perform work on refrigerant systems under ten tons, under M.GL. 146 – which licenses commercial refrigeration technicians, ten tons and over.
While ACA/NE will continue to oppose any legislation to require residential HVAC contractors to obtain a refrigeration license for work under ten tons. However, ACA/NE is also considering taking more proactive steps to stop this bill, perhaps even filing our own legislation. Stay tuned for more details on this initiative.
Read ACA/NE's 2023 Testimony
ACA/NE members are opposed to these bills because they would require residential HVAC contractors to obtain a refrigeration license to perform work on refrigerant systems under ten tons, under M.GL. 146 – which licenses commercial refrigeration technicians, ten tons and over.
While ACA/NE will continue to oppose any legislation to require residential HVAC contractors to obtain a refrigeration license for work under ten tons. However, ACA/NE is also considering taking more proactive steps to stop this bill, perhaps even filing our own legislation. Stay tuned for more details on this initiative.
Read ACA/NE's 2023 Testimony
ACA/NE WORKS TO CLARIFY THAT ONLY Licensed Sheet Metal Workers CAN PERFORM DUCT TESTING AND AIR BALANCING
ACA/NE is working to address an issue with the Sheet Metal Board regarding duct testing and air balancing. Several years ago, the BBRS adopted a code amendment that required licensed sheet metal workers to hire a HERS Rater or a BPI-certified professional to perform duct testing and air balancing.
While the amendment mainly was not enforced, Massachusetts has now adopted the International Building Codes, which require that a HERS Rater or BPI-certified professional do duct testing and air balancing.
The state statute requires that licensed sheet metal workers perform this work. When ACA/NE brought this to the attention of the Sheet Metal Board, they agreed to issue an advisory to clarify and notify HERS Rater or BPI-certified professionals that they are not allowed by law to perform this work.
ACA/NE will continue monitoring the Sheet Metal Board's progress on this advisory and keep members updated on developments.
While the amendment mainly was not enforced, Massachusetts has now adopted the International Building Codes, which require that a HERS Rater or BPI-certified professional do duct testing and air balancing.
The state statute requires that licensed sheet metal workers perform this work. When ACA/NE brought this to the attention of the Sheet Metal Board, they agreed to issue an advisory to clarify and notify HERS Rater or BPI-certified professionals that they are not allowed by law to perform this work.
ACA/NE will continue monitoring the Sheet Metal Board's progress on this advisory and keep members updated on developments.
ACA/NE Membership Testimonial
"ACA/NE is a wonderful association to be a part of. Membership with ACA/NE has helped me grow my professional network and stay informed with what is happening within the HVAC industry.”
Don Chaisson | APA, LLC.