Regulatory

06.25.26

Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI), Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors – National Association (PHCC), and Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) ...

06.24.26

On June 2, 2026, Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed SB26-002 into law. The legislation includes a very important provision that would exclude propane water heaters from strict water heater NOx emissions restrictions that were passed into law by the state in 2023. In 2023, the Colorado government enacted HB23-1161 into law. This legislation, among other things, restricted the amount of NOx …

06.23.26

Falls Church, Va. — On June 12, 2026, Governor Jeff Landry signed HB953 into law — and with it, Louisiana enacted what PHCC believes to be the most damaging rollback of plumbing licensure standards seen anywhere in the country in recent memory. For context: in 2019, the Texas Legislature nearly allowed its state plumbing licensing board to sunset entirely before Governor Greg Abbott intervened …

06.16.26

As he prepares to take the helm as PHCC’s next CEO, Dan Quinonez is focused on strengthening the association through membership growth, workforce development, chapter engagement, and strong advocacy on issues such as contractor licensing. In a recent interview with Homepros ...

06.09.26

Dr. Rick Goodman, leadership expert and motivational speaker, to headline PHCC CONNECT 2026 in Milwaukee. FALLS CHURCH, Va. – Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors–National Association (PHCC) announces Dr. Rick Goodman, internationally recognized leadership expert, motivational speaker and bestselling author, as the keynote speaker for PHCC CONNECT 2026, taking place October ...

05.27.26

On April 24, 2026, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued an Enforcement Policy Statement (EPS) relative to recently established commercial water heater efficiency standards that were originally slated to apply to products manufactured after October 6, 2026. Those standards impact only gas-fired commercial water heaters and require storage products to meet or exceed a Thermal Efficiency (TE) …

04.23.26

PHCC has discussed the changes coming for commercial gas water heaters resulting from a U.S. Department of Energy rule. Bradford White CEO Bruce Carnevale has taken the time to prepare some informational videos explaining much of the situation, including an overview, the possible appeal to the courts, and some common misconceptions. As previously reported, PHCC and HARDI filed and Amicus Brief …

04.21.26

On Oct. 6, 2026, new energy conservation standards for commercial water heaters, approved by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) back in 2023, will come into effect. The new standards will force a significant change from the products that are currently on the market today, calling for all commercial gas water heaters to utilize condensing technology in all installations. Specifically, the DOE …

04.08.26

Plumbing and HVACR contractors are invited to register for CONNECT 2026, taking place Oct. 19–22 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. FALLS CHURCH, Va. – April 2026 – Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) encourages plumbing and HVACR contractors to make plans now ...

03.25.26

In Dec. 2024, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) published a final rule to significantly tighten state regulations on hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants utilized in HVACR equipment and heat pump water heaters. This measure was approved despite action by Congress that represented a compromise between environmental lobbyists and HVACR manufacturers to phase out HFC …