Regulatory

07.31.24

When it comes to the state of affairs surrounding natural gas bans, refrigerant changes, licensing, efficiency limits, and more, sometimes I feel like I’m swept up in a twister. I’m desperately looking for the calm after the storm and for help to navigate my business. PHCC has been incredibly resourceful in supporting the licensed plumbing and HVAC contractor. Thank goodness for PHCC’s …

07.24.24

Since the City of Berkeley passed an ordinance that prohibited natural gas hookups to newly constructed homes in 2019, the future of natural gas as a building fuel source has been a hotly debated topic in our industry. Indeed, Berkeley was followed by dozens of other California communities that adopted similar policies, and Washington State even enacted residential and commercial building codes …

07.10.24

Leading experts, Jeff Butler and Mary Kelly, to speak at CONNECT 2024. FALLS CHURCH, Va. – July 2024 – Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors National Association (PHCC) unveils Jeff Butler and Mary Kelly as the keynote speakers for CONNECT 2024 in Birmingham, Alabama, October 7-10, at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex. Jeff Butler is a workplace strategist, who has offered expertise to …

06.14.24

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently revised the regulations governing eligibility for overtime pay, specifically raising the annual pay level for certain exempt employees. The current threshold is $35,568 annually ($684 weekly) but will be raised in steps. The first step set for July 1 of this year would raise the threshold payroll to $43,888 annually ($844 weekly), and the second step …

06.04.24

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a Final Rule for energy conservation standards for residential water heaters. While this topic has understandably caught the attention of many in our industry who are still working on examining and analyzing the document, it in some ways serves as a reminder that DOE has already finalized energy conservation standards for …

05.28.24

Different segments of the PHCC organization, and the p-h-c industry as a whole, came together for another impactful legislative event in Washington, D.C. FALLS CHURCH, VA. — The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors–National Association (PHCC) welcomed PHCC members, chapter executives, and corporate partners to Washington, D.C., May 21-22, to meet with lawmakers and educate them on energy, …

05.20.24

Week four of the Code Council’s Building Safety Month campaign provides resources to advocate for safety within your community. Washington, D.C. – The International Code Council’s Building Safety Month campaign continues into week four with an emphasis on encouraging people to use their voice to promote building safety in their communities. By speaking up about building safety and ensuring the …

05.13.24

Plumbing and HVAC contractors are encouraged to register for event held on Oct. 7-10, 2024. FALLS CHURCH, Va. (May 13, 2024) — Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC), invites plumbing and HVAC contractors to make plans now to be part of PHCC CONNECT 2024.

04.24.24

On February 28, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) put forth a landmark proposal to require all space and water heater equipment sold in the state of California to meet zero-emissions by a set date. The proposal comes on the heels of the Zero-NOx space and water heating standards adopted by Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) in March 2023, and recent Zero-NOx water heating …

03.26.24

At the beginning of this year, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) proposed amendments to how the state regulates HFC refrigerant gasses that are contained within appliances. While other states have been content to largely follow the lead established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on regulating these substances, DEC’s proposal represents an …