HVAC

06.25.21

The Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition defines carbon pricing as using pricing instruments to charge those emitters of greenhouse gasses (GHG), which trap heat and hence, heat up the planet, to “discourage the use of carbon dioxide–emitting fossil fuels in order to protect the environment, address the causes of climate change, and meet national and international climate agreements.”

06.23.21

As infrastructure talks fell apart between Congressional Republicans, led by Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and President Biden, a bipartisan group of 20 Senators developed a framework on a $1.2 trillion infrastructure package.

06.10.21

It is generally estimated that we unlock our mobile phones 10 times more than times we crack a smile. April was Distracted Driving Awareness Month with the National Safety Council estimating that over 700 people are injured in distracted driving crashes.  In March 2021, USA Today wrote “The nonprofit National Safety Council estimates in a [recent] report that 42,060 people died in vehicle crashes in 2020, an 8% increase over 2019 and the first jump in four years.”1 This occurred despite the fact that Americans drive 13% less miles during the pandemic.

05.27.21

In a recent PHCC Contractor Sentiment survey, one of the biggest challenges cited by our members is the inability to find employees.  While a problem for several years- this is a crisis exacerbated by the pandemic.  “In a study performed by Marcum’s National Construction Services group:  41% of pre-pandemic respondents chose ‘securing skilled labor’ as the No. 1 threat to their businesses.” (Retrieved from the World Wide Web on May 10, 2021, here), which is now contributing to project backlogs post- COVID-19. 

05.25.21

Since 2019, PHCC has been monitoring policy developments around the country as they relate to natural gas. It started with various municipal governments across California passing local ordinances that would prohibit natural gas installations in new construction, with an outlook on phasing out the use of natural gas in current infrastructure as part of a broader effort to decarbonize the energy grid by the 2030s.

05.19.21

As virus infections increased around the world, the PHCC staff began teleworking from home in March 2020. A significant investment in improved cloud technology and infrastructure approved by the PHCC Board of Directors a few years earlier, enabled the staff to operate remotely without any interruption in providing a full range of member services and benefits.

05.19.21

After more than a year since the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the world, the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) reflects upon the many ways it helped members—our country’s essential workers—to protect public health, safety and the environment during the crisis. National fear and chaos reinforced the need for the plumbing and HVACR industry to come together and maintain high standards. PHCC was there to guide the way.

05.19.21

Did you know that the $2.3 trillion infrastructure bill being considered by Congress has several provisions that could create new business opportunities for p-h-c contractors? Specifically, the bill includes $111 billion for water infrastructure improvements, including $30 billion to replace aging lead pipes. The spur in construction spending directly and indirectly related to this massive investment potentially can provide ample opportunities for PHCC contractors nationwide.

05.17.21

PHCC relies tremendously on our industry leaders to support today’s p-h-c professionals and to prepare the next generation of our industry’s workforce. Strategic Partner Bradford White has been instrumental in calling attention to career opportunities in the traditional skilled trades – especially during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic – and in urging an industry-wide focus on workforce development to close the labor gap and recruit a new generation of young workers.

05.14.21

We produced another PHCC Contractor Sentiment survey this spring. 92% of respondents were plumbing contractors and 55% were HVACR contractors who responded to this survey, albeit some plumbing contractors also provide HVACR services. With the economy growing by 6.4% in the first quarter, according to CNN on April 30, 2021, there is greater optimism and increased consumer confidence in this economic recovery.