Arkansas HVACR NewsMagazine September 2026

News Magazine

September 2026

Arkansas’ First and Only HVACR NewsMagazine

Pg 10

Straight Talk About Private Equity

Pg 23

HVACR Dads Are Best

by Patrick Lange

Fuel Card for Members (Coming Soon)

DOE & ICC

Spar over Efficiency

Online Continuing Ed 8 hrs / $70

ROI pg 4

Articles Editorial: DOE & ICC about ROI (pg. 4) Feature: Recruitment--You must take charge (pg. 6) State, National, Chapter News What’s the Deal with PFAs (pg. 10) ACCA , HARDI & PHCC Challenge EPA (pg. 14) Fall Meeting Schedule (pg. 16) Kirk’s Corner (pg. 18) How Much is a Billion Dollars (pg. 20) SPFAs & Contractor Pollution Liability (pg. 21) Business: Blood Tests & Financial Statements (pg. 22) Straight Talk about Private Equity (pg. 23) Contractor Cents (pg. 25) Education: Arkansas HVACR College Programs (pg.26) Arkansas Online Classes (pg. 27) Energy Talk: Home Performance Defined (pg. 28) Tech News: 8 Tips—How Not to Get Fired HVAC School (30) GFCIs Coming?? Yes or No (pg. 31) Do you Replace Compressor…? Bryan Orr (pg. 32)

Pg 27

Kirk Pierson Pg. 18

Ruth King Blood Test; Your Financial Statement Pg. 22

Bryan Orr How Not to Get Fired Pg. 30

Tom Turner Home Performance Defined Pg. 28

Tom Hunt Editorial DOC & ICC Spar Pg. 4

Patrick Lange of Business ModificationGroup joins the NewMagazine family of contributors Pg 23

By Arkansans

For Arkansans

News Magazine September 2026

Table of Contents

18

Editorial

pg 4

DOE & ICC Spar About ROI

Feature Story ESCO Talks Recruitment / You Have Got to Take Charge

pg 6

State, national, chapter news What’s The Deal With PFAs / May be Deleted from General Liability Coverage

PG 10

PG 14

ACCA , HARDI, and PHCC Challenge EPA Rule

PG 16

Fall Meeting Schedule

PG 18

Kirk’s Corner

PG 20

How Much is a Billion Dollars

PFAs & Contractor Pollution Liability

PG 21

Business News

PG 22

Blood Tests & Financial Statements

(Ruth King)

PG 23

Straight Talk about Private Equity (Patrick Lange)

pg 30 PG 33 pg 36

PG 25

Contractor Cents (Ruth King)

Education News Training Programs

PG 26

PG 27

Association Online Classes / Partnership with HVACRedu

Energy Talk Home Performance Defined (Tom Turner)

PG 28

PG 30

Tech News

PG 30

8 Tips for New Techs (How Not to Get Fired) Bryan Orr HVAC School

PG 31

GFCIs on Outdoor Compressors? Coming / Yes or No

Do You Replace a Contactor or Capacitor with a Compressor HVAC School Bryan Orr PG 32

Hearing Outcomes Preston Minnie

PG 35

PG 30

Unique Arkansas

I’ve Done it This Way for 20 Years: That’s the Problem (Bryan Orr - HVAC School) PG

PG 37

State Fair / October 16 - 25

PG 30 pg 30 PG 33 pg 36

pg 30 PG 33 pg 36 pg 30 PG 33 pg 36

Membership has its perks. The Association keeps an eye out for products and services that may benefit your business or your family. Click on your area of interest to learn more.

News Magazine September 2026

replacements became vogue about 30 years ago and frequently they were selling against the existing single pane metal frame. I never ran a dollar and cents analysis on that but comfort definitely made it worth a strong second look. Sadly, their sales folks talked percentages and not even accurately. I had a salesman come to my house just so I could hear the spill. By the way, we had double pane, vinyl, low E windows. “Yes, sir, he said. 40% of your utility bill is due to heating and air conditioning. If you’ll replace your windows, we’ll cut 35% to 40% off your utility bill.” When asked if that meant replacing my windows would cut my total utility bill by 35% to 40%, the answer was, “Yes, sir”. I bored you with this example to say that not all energy efficiency plans were clearly explained. I’m not saying that the ole’ boy lied, just that he parroted what he had been told. The same thing happened with the solar industry. A reasonably good idea was sold by hucksters promising a check from the utility company for “forever”. Sometimes, prices were high and performance was low or at least not what was promised. This is not to say that window replacements and solar are inherently bad. Just that all that glitters may not be gold and we have a reason to be skeptical. Back to the ICC and DOE. It seems that at least six economic analyses produced by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory were deleted from the DOE website.

Getting the Truth DOE & ICC Spar Off About ROI

Shake a man’s hand and the deal was done. If he

said it, it was true and folks were concerned about their neighbor. Old fashioned values that I wish we could bring back; and, that is not altogether fair. I don’t mean to imply that honesty and integrity are completely gone. Just that they seem to be in short supply. OK! What put me on this tangent? Today it’s this. The International Code Council and the Department of Energy are in a tiff. Seems that the DOE removed its longstanding analysis detailing the cost-effectiveness of energy codes. I’ve been a super proponent of energy efficiency as a benefit to the customer for 40 years. I was birthed into this industry selling geothermal systems. We put together a package of real facts, sometimes 50 pages long, that proved the wisdom of high efficiency based on the payback—ROI. Yes, comfort and life expectancy were important; but, did the savings justify the extra expense. Usually?? Yes. We ran a Manual J to demonstrate the value of cellulose over conventional paperback fiberglass batts. Did it cost justify? Usually, yes. However, let me say that not all sales are honest or fully transparent. This stuff goes in cycles and one needs to examine the claim versus the reality. Window

News Magazine September 2026

Those reports concluded that any incremental construction costs associated with the code would be more than offset by utility savings. So why would the DOE delete information. I know some of those folks at PNNL and they are good folks. Again, I ask why. Some folks ignore or delete information that may contradict their position or opinion. Now look, we all know that the Feds don’t have a sterling reputation for transparency and honesty. Anyone ever hear of COVID 19 and Dr. Fauci? But, it doesn’t mean that they are never right. Yes, some claims are exaggerated and may not even be true. We’ve lived in the so-called science of Milankovitch cycles and “The Coming Ice Age” and the 2004 movie, “The Day After Tomorrow” where people burned books in a New York Public Library to stay warm. We’ve lived through Global Warming as a “Statement of Faith” but it has now morphed into Climate Change. Of course, that can’t be wrong because the planet is in a constant state of change. After all, there was a time when glaciers reached as far south as Ohio and Iowa. If you tie anything to Climate Change, there may be enough fact to obscure the picture. Geeze Louise. What are we to believe? The Biden DOE wanted us to completely eliminate all fossil fuels regardless of their importance to our economy and ready availability. New York’s ”All-Electric Buildings Act” requires that most new buildings use electric heating, water heating, and cooking instead of natural

gas or other fossil fuels. When it first rolled out, the HEEHR Rebate program was so focused on doing away with fossil fuel that it ignored the applicability of a fuel. Fortunately, the HOMES program has changed that “somewhat”. The DOE earmarked over 100 million dollars for Arkansas, but our state delayed or turned down at least 50 million because it was tied to fuel switching. Fortunately, the rest may come our way sometime in the “reasonably near future.” Regardless of one’s personal preferences, decisions should be based on what “really” helps the consumer. So, Geeze Louise! What is really helping Arkansans. Shall I go on. Well, you probably gave up on the point sometime back so I’ll rant a little more just to salve my need to stand on this stump. Energy efficiency has its place but not at the cost of comfort. Energy efficiency has its place but not at the cost of a bad ROI. Of course, ROI is not the only concern. If a person needs to scratch their itch for super high efficiency regardless of the payback, scratch it baby scratch it. Here is what I know. Not everything has good payback. Some things have good payback and some are only modest. I just don’t need a Democrat or Republican or Independent telling me something that isn’t true or something that is slanted or hiding the truth. “What’s Up”. Truth will eventually prevail so let the chips fall where they may—TODAY. Geeze, DOE and ICC. What are we to believe?

News Magazine September 2026

FEATURE STORY

career in HVACR actually looks like—and why it's a smart, future-proof choice.

Educators alone can't do this. You must.

The Smart Recruiting Strategy: Focus Where Talent Already Exists

A common impulse is to cast a wide net: visit the roughly 27,000 high schools, 1,000 community colleges, and 85,000 trade schools across the United States. Ambitious, but inefficient. Many students have already committed to non-trade paths. The smarter approach: focus on the approximately 1,400 HVACR training programs already operating nationwide. These students have already chosen the trades. They've invested time, money, and energy into learning fundamentals and gaining hands-on experience. They're motivated. They're committed. They're ready to work. All that's missing is a compelling reason to choose your company as their employer. Program Advisory Committee (PAC) meetings are among the most direct paths to both program improvement and recruitment access. together manufacturers, wholesalers, contractors, and technicians to evaluate program quality and outcomes. By participating, you gain several advantages: These meetings bring Engagement Strategy 1: Participate in Program Advisory Committees

The United States faces a critical shortage of skilled tradespeople. Within the next decade, 40% of today's workforce will retire. Simultaneously, the nation's birth rate has dropped to 1.6 children per couple. Fewer workers entering the workforce and fewer entering the trades means one reality: the HVACR industry must adapt now, and contractors are essential to that solution. The challenge is real. So is the opportunity for contractors willing to engage. Educators often take on the burden of finding the next generation of technicians. The reality? Most trade school instructors are stretched thin, managing multiple programs with limited staff. They need reinforcement. Recruitment is an industry responsibility, not an education responsibility. You, as a contractor, know exactly what entry-level technicians need to succeed. You understand the real-world demands of the job. You can tell the story of what a Why Recruitment Can't Fall on Educators Alone

News Magazine September 2026

FEATURE STORY

What You Learn

A Critical Note

Avoid comments that undermine program credibility or student retention. Don't ask why students chose a particular school or suggest they drop out. These comments damage instructor relationships, hurt program funding, and burn bridges you need. Show respect.

• Program structure, duration, and contact hours • Specific courses offered and their learning outcomes • Current enrollment numbers and recent graduate placement rates • Lab facilities, equipment, and resources • Alignment between curriculum and current industry codes and standards • Early visibility to emerging talent • Instructor relationships that often translate to direct referrals • Credibility and goodwill that builds a reliable hiring pipeline • Direct influence on program relevance to your business needs When you attend, come prepared. Review the program details. Ask informed questions about outcomes. Tour the lab— does the equipment reflect current job site realities? Check the textbooks—do they align with current codes and standards? Most importantly, represent the industry professionally. Offer constructive feedback. Be a resource, not a recruiter. Instructors notice and remember contractors who genuinely support their programs. These relationships create natural hiring connections. What You Gain How to Make an Impact

Engagement Strategy 2: Tell Your Story at Schools and Career Fairs

Most students and parents still believe a four-year degree is the only path to success. The data tells a different story. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics: • Only 20% of jobs require a bachelor's degree or higher • 67% of jobs require post-secondary technical training • That means 80% of jobs don't require a four-year degree By appearing at classroom visits and career fairs, you help shift this narrative. Talk about your own path into HVACR. Discuss earning potential, job satisfaction, independence, and the problem-solving nature of the work. Help students understand that HVACR isn't a fallback option—it's a first-choice career with real opportunity. Be authentic. Share the challenges and rewards. Show that skilled trades offer dignity, stability, and purpose.

News Magazine September 2026

FEATURE STORY

Engagement Strategy 3: Leverage Your Personal Network

The Bigger Picture

The skilled trades shortage isn't a school problem—it's an industry-wide challenge that demands industry-wide solutions. Contractors who engage in recruitment gain competitive advantage in hiring. Programs that receive industry support produce better outcomes. Students who see real career pathways make informed choices. This is a collaborative problem with collaborative solutions. Visit schools. Join Program Advisory Committees. Share your story. Support local instructors. Engage your network. The next generation of HVACR technicians is out there. They're already in training programs, in high schools considering their options, or in jobs considering a change. Your involvement makes the difference between a sustainable industry and a crisis. The shortage is real. So is the solution. Start today. The Call to Action

Recruitment extends beyond schools. Talk about HVACR with neighbors, relatives, friends, and former colleagues. Many people are stuck in jobs that don't fulfill them. HVACR might be their path forward, but they'll never consider it unless someone they know speaks up. These personal conversations often reach people traditional recruitment misses— people who've completed education but haven't found their fit, who want a career change, or who have natural aptitude but never considered the trades. • PAC participation: Attend quarterly or biannual meetings (2-3 hours per meeting) • School visits: Plan one or two visits per year, coordinating with instructors • Career fair support: Participate in local events where your investment reaches multiple students at once • Informal advocacy: Conversations with your network—no special time commitment Most contractors find that this level of involvement generates referrals and hiring connections that more than justify the time invested. Making This Real: What Participation Actually Requires This isn't asking you to donate extensive time. Realistic commitments:

This article was furnished by the ESCO Group. ESCO provides great training publications, accredits

HVACR training programs, sponsors HVAC Excellence for instructors each year, and is a leader in regulatory issues that affect our industry. We appreciate their partnership informing Arkansas contractors and training programs. You can learn more about Esco at escogroup.org

http://www.edssupply.com/arkansas

HVACR NewsMagazine September 2026

State National Chapter News

Maine became the first state to enact an outright ban of PFAS from being intentionally added to products unless the use of PFAS is specifically designated as currently unavoidable. While we could spend the rest of this article talking about the ubiquitous presence of PFAS, let’s get down to how it affects the HVACR industry. According to Cooling Post, Europe proposes banning the use of refrigerants that contain PFAS under the European REACH regulations. The ban includes but may not be limited to R125, R134a, R143a and R1234yf, and R123eE. Since R454B contains R1234yf, it would also be included. R32 and R23 are not included but R23 will be phased out due to its GWP of 18,400. PLASE NOTE and this is important. There is no present ban in the United States for refrigerants because they may contain PFAS. However, there is another concern, many commercial liability carriers are specifically excluding coverage for claims that may arrive due to PFAS. We have already seen some of our folks get a copy of that exclusion. A copy of the exclusion follows this article. So, what are we going to do? If our general liability policy does not cover us if there is a claim for PFA medical related problems, how are you to protect yourself from huge lawsuits. I say huge because you know that once the word gets around, folks will stand in line to be added as a defendant to a lawsuit. Regretfully, we

What’s The Deal with PFAS

And Some Refrigerants You may have heard the rumble about PFAS in many products that have frequent use. Woodard & Curran gives examples; Lipitor, Flonase, Prozac, and Celebrex—all commonly used pharmaceuticals. According to PFASfree, “PFAS are used extensively in cookware.” “They are linked to multiple health issues including ; cancers, reduced fertility, liver disease, reduced vaccine efficacy and hormone imbalance.” Please Note: Not all non-stick cookware has PFAS. The US Government Accountability Office says this, “A group of synthetic chemicals call per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances— PFAS, for short-are used in a wide range of consumer, manufacturing, and fire safety products. But these chemicals contaminate the environment and some are linked to health problems in people.”… “this group of chemicals is large, diverse, hard to study, and difficult to fully remove from the environment.”

HVACR NewsMagazine September 2026

State National Chapter News

don’t know exactly how much PFA is required to cause a medical condition; but, there are folks that will suddenly have a “symptom” of some nature. I want to thank the Arkansas Insurance Commissioner, Jimmy Harris and Jessie Parsons with Parson Insurance, for helping research this problem. According to Commissioner Harris, general liability insurance was never designed to cover pollution claims. A claim for a PFA related medical condition is an environmental / pollution claim. That means, you may want to consider Contractor’s Pollution Coverage. Included in this article is information provided by Parson Insurance. It is informative and worth reading. Because cost is always our first concern, they provided the following range of prices based on policy limits and very conservative to more realistic premium estimates. Of course, none of this is binding and you will want to consult your commercial insurance provider. The estimates are based on your annual sales; installation, retrofit, service--everything in thousands of dollars. A minimum premium applies so you need to consult your insurance provider. Annual Revenue in Millions Estimated Rate per $1000 Revenue Estimated Annual Premium 1 $0.25 - $0.45 $750 - $1,500 5 $0.25 - $0.45 $1,250 -$2,250 10 $0.25 - $0.45 $2,500 - $4,500 15 $0.25 - $0.45 $3,750 - $6,750

Low Insurance Estimate $0.25/M

Higher Insurance Estimate $0.45/M

Revenue Source

Average

Install Service

$10,000

$2.50 $0.20

$4.50 $0.36

$800

Not much when you look at it from that perspective; however, you can’t eat even those few dollars. Multiply those estimates by your number of installations and service calls and we’re talking about a cost that you must recuperate. We all need to re-evaluate our cost of doing business and be sure that we are pricing correctly. A silver lining to Contractor’s Pollution Coverage is that it MAY cover mold. It is important you ask your insurance provider for specifics. Be very specific. What does it cover. In all this discussion and fear mongering, it would be wise for everyone to take a breath and read the following: R-134a and R-1234yf break down in the air into TFA (trifluoroacetic acid). TFA does not build up in the body like some PFAS forever chemicals. TFA is easily removed from the body by its natural processes. EPA and international researchers have not found any health risks from TFA at the levels seen in the environment. HFC refrigerants ae not the same as forever chemicals. They do not pollute water, and their breakdown products are not known to harm people. (This last paragraph is a summary of an article from HARDI Advocacy Updates.) If you research this subject, you may also find articles that are more concerned than HARDI. The Association has been working on this issue since a member

To see how that affects your costs, look at the following table.

HVACR NewsMagazine September 2026

State National Chapter News

R454B and R32 as the transition between R410A and the next generations of refrigerants that will use CO2 and ammonia. For the next few years, depending on changes in EPA policy and rule, our industry must use R454B and R32. The reason this is a problem is that many insurance carriers are increasingly adding PFAS exclusions to Commercial General Liability (CGL) policies…This creates a critical coverage gap for HVAC contractors and property owners just as the industry transitions to these refrigerants. The exclusions read, "This insurance does not apply to: Bodily injury, property damage, or personal and advertising injury arising out of the actual, alleged, or threatened discharge, dispersal, seepage, migration, release, or escape of PFAS." While the insurance companies intended to exclude coverage from the Legacy PFAS, their broad definition extended to most A2Ls. We believe that this extension was inadvertent or perhaps based on a misunderstanding of the product and its required use. The exclusion of A2L refrigerants containing PFAS should be eliminated or modified for the following reasons: 1. Refrigerants containing PFAS are unavoidable products for the vast majority of Arkansas HVACR dealers 2. Federal law requires that A2L systems have internal sensors that detect a refrigerant leak and shut down the compressor to avoid pumping additional quantities of refrigerant to ambient surroundings or in the house or business 3. Federal law requires mechanical rooms be installed with refrigerant sensors and exhaust fans depending on the charge of the system and size of the room. Even small leaks are detected.

brought it to our attention after he got an exclusion attachment to his general liability policy. After that, we learned that the exclusion endorsement was becoming common. You’ll need to check with your provider to see if your next issue also contains the endorsement of exclusion. OK! Who cares. We all know that A2L equipment is equipped with a sensor that will evacuate the system if there is a leak and that mechanical rooms will be required to install a sensor to evacuate the larger amounts that could occur in larger systems. Of course, that is aimed at flammability issues. It is amazing that while we were fearing the “impending doom” caused by A2L minimal flammability, our industry seemed to have overlooked the PFA issue. Well, the issue is here and we have to deal with it. I have a neighbor that selected a brand of air conditioning equipment because it did not contain PFAS. I knew it, I knew it, I knew it. His salesperson downplayed the risks while making sure my neighbor was aware of the risks. We will face sales by fear and that is a certainty. In researching this issue, we penned a letter to the Arkansas Insurance Department. Excerpts from the Association letter follow: The problem: Insurance companies are placing an exclusion on our general liability policies for our A2L systems that are classified as PFAS. The Arkansas HVACR industry is required by federal law to reduce the Global Warming Potential of refrigerants to below 700 and tracking down to 150 depending on application and regulatory schedule. The industry has adopted

HVACR NewsMagazine September 2026

State National Chapter News

4. Within 15 seconds to 5 minutes of a detector signal, the detection system must energize fans, open dampers, activate mechanical ventilation and safety shutoff valves, and de-energize electrical equipment and potential ignition sources. These actions must be maintained for at least 5 minutes after the output signal has reset. Please note that these safety measures are designed due to the flammability issues of the refrigerant— not PFAS. EPA did not consider the PFAS issue sufficient to even mention it in the safety regulations and procedures; however, the leak detection will also prevent the escape of A2L PFAS which seems to be the concern of the insurance companies relative to general liability. …If the EPA did not include the presence of PFAS in refrigerants as part of their safety regulations, the danger and risk is minimal at best and pragmatically non-existent. It is therefore unfair to the HVACR industry to have this innocuous product used as the justification for insurance companies to exclude it from our general liability coverage. It is a red herring that is not germane to the question of risk and liability. In fact in 2024, 73% of the residential air conditioning systems used a refrigerant that already contained PFAS. For over 20 years PFAS have been contained in refrigerants so this is not new and, please note, there is no litigation related to the health and safety of the product. So why this present interest and exclusion endorsement? Perhaps unintentional, perhaps uninformed; regardless, it places Arkansas HVACR contractors in an undesirable position to be required by federal regulation to sell a product that contains PFAS and by insurance companies to exclude that product from general liability coverage. This is an immediate problem that our industry is presently compelled to sell systems containing PFAS without general liability protection.

We are asking that you give advice on regulation or legislation that would mitigate our problem and require insurance companies to • Rescind the PFAS exclusion from general liability insurance, or • Limit the point of exclusion based on amount of refrigerant in a single system, or • Limit the point of exclusion based on amount of refrigerant in a mechanical room I want to thank you again for your kind consideration of our request and look forward to discussing this further. You now have much of the communication between interested parties and the Association. We have been treated with concern and respect. They understand our predicament. But, this “ain’t” no big thing until someone decides it is a big thing and you have to be prepared with how ridiculous it is or with an insurance policy. I hate to say it but there are those that will capitalize on the PFA kerfuffle. Get the facts, get ready, and use the situation to show that you are prepared and professional. By the way, I am told that there is little hope for our legislature to help us since this is “sort of an interstate commerce situation.” Don’t know if that is true; but, if we have a chance to make a difference, we’ll call on you to appeal to your state legislator for help. Kindest regards,

Working Together We Can Solve Anything

HVACR NewsMagazine September 2026

State National Chapter News

significantly increase demand, and EPA’s own analysis projects a 12 to 24 % increase in U.S. refrigerant prices by 2029 . ACCA announced on June 25 that they have joined the Heating, Air-conditioning, & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) and Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors – National Association (PHCC) in filing a petition for judicial review in the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, arguing that EPA did not follow required procedures in developing the Technology Transitions Reconsideration Final Rule. On June 26, manufacturers joined the fight as the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) and Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy filed their own suit on similar grounds. In seeking legal review, the trade associations’ goal is to have the rule partially vacated and then participate in a proper process that balances the interests of grocers and cold storage facilities with all others who depend on a stable and predictable refrigerant market. Why prices rise for every contractor and their customers EPA gave supermarkets and cold storage warehouses years of extra time to install systems using higher-GWP refrigerants, setting interim limits of 1,400 GWP for supermarket and remote condensing systems and 700 GWP for cold storage, all through 2032. That’s a major retreat from the 150/300 GWP framework in the 2023 rule.

ACCA, HARDI, and PHCC challenge EPA rule that would spike refrigerant prices In the first of several actions coordinated with other HVACR manufacturing, distribution, and contracting associations, ACCA and its partners have

filed suit to prevent increased refrigerant prices and a rushed transition to highly flammable A3 refrigerants that will threaten consumer affordability and safety. EPA’s final Technology Transitions Rule (TTR) handed contractors a real win in May, lifting the installation deadline for R 410A equipment that ACCA had fought hard to remove. That was the central recommendation in ACCA’s comments on the rule. But ACCA’s comments also urged EPA not to make changes that would increase demand for the limited supply of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants or hasten a transition to highly flammable A3 refrigerants. The final rule did exactly that. Allowing the continued manufacture of commercial refrigeration systems using legacy refrigerants until 2032 will

HVACR NewsMagazine September 2026

State National Chapter News

Signed into law by President Trump in 2020, the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act’s HFC phasedown schedule is not expected to change, so every pound of refrigerant consumed by these outdated supermarket systems will effectively remove several pounds of R-32 or R-454B from the market. Prices will inevitably rise, and every home and business owner will pay more. The refrigeration sector will suffer too. While these changes will result in significant short-term savings for grocers needing a system replacement, all refrigerant users will pay more in the long run. HARDI estimates $13 billion in added costs for the refrigeration subsector alone. The bigger threat: a rushed transition to A3 refrigerants Tighter supply and higher prices will also encourage states to rush a transition to A3 refrigerants like propane, which are highly flammable and nowhere near ready for mass adoption. Even as contractors adjust to the A2L transition, New York, California, and Washington have already empowered their regulators to ban A2L equipment, with deadlines as soon as next year. The refrigeration changes in EPA’s rule will provide ammunition for advocates seeking new refrigerant regulations in at least a dozen other states. As that patchwork expands, pressure for another national transition will grow. While ACCA believes another national refrigerant transition could be avoided under the prior rule, some industry experts believe these changes will make a

national A3 transition inevitable as soon as 2032. That’s the outcome this petition is meant to head off. What the HVACR industry is asking the court to find. The joint petition rests on two arguments. First, the AIM Act provides for a one-year waiting period before deadline changes take effect, which puts the rule’s 60-day effective date at odds with the plain meaning of the statute. Second, EPA’s analysis was arbitrary and capricious: the agency never clearly explained how it weighed the AIM Act’s statutory factors or why such a long delay is warranted for technologies it has already deemed acceptable. Fighting for contractors on multiple fronts members highlighted minimizing disruption from refrigerant transitions as one of their top policy priorities. EPA’s action will destabilize the refrigerant market in several ways, so this week’s intervention is one front in that fight. To head off a patchwork of state rules, ACCA is also calling on Congress to add federal preemption under the AIM Act. Finally, the association is partnering with Allied Contracting Organizations and contractor champions to fight these conflicting state regulations in New York, Washington, and wherever they emerge. "This article was originally published by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) on the ACCA HVAC Blog, the online resource for HVACR contractors to access industry insights, technical guidance, and business strategies. Contractors can explore more articles like this, along with exclusive tools, training, and member-only resources, by logging in to their ACCA account or joining today at www.acca.org." ACCA contractor

HVACR NewsMagazine September 2026

State National Chapter News

Chapter Meetings &

Continuing Education Schedule

Chapter

Date

Time

Location

South Central Thurs, October 1

6:00 p.m. South Arkansas College 3696 E. Main, El Dorado

Fort Smith

Tues, October 6

5:30 p.m. Golden Corral

1801 S. Waldron Ave., Ft. Smith

Northwest

Thurs, October 8

6:00 p.m. NWACC

6101 Watkins Ave, Springdale

Hot Springs

Tues, October 13

6:00 p.m. National Park

101 College Dr., Hot Springs

Southwest

Thurs, October 15 6:00 p.m. Southwest Arkansas Cooperative 2904 E. 9 th St., Texarkana, AR

East Central

Mon, October 19

6:00 p.m. UA East Arkansas College

1700 Newcastle Rd., Forrest City

North Central Tues, October 20

6:00 p.m. UA North Arkansas College 1320 N. Spring Rd., Harrison

Northeast

Thurs, October 22 6:00 p.m. Ron’s Catfish

3213 Dan Ave., Jonesboro

Central

Thurs, October 29 6:00 p.m. Whole Hog

2516 Cantrell Rd., Little Rock

Chapter Meetings with Continuing Education are FREE to members. $50 for non-members.

Join the Association and we’ll waive the October meeting fee.

Join the Association and get an end-of-the-year discount. End of Year Membership $100.00 Join now and the October chapter meeting and continuing education class are free. Call 501-487-8655 to join

Now is a great time for customers to earn rebates on high-efficiency natural gas furnaces and water heaters! These energy-efficient systems are not just practical, they’re also fantastic choices that can truly elevate your customers’ home comfort and savings. equipment with rebates from Summit Utilities! Increase your sales of high-efficiency natural gas

Receive $100 for every qualifying rebate you submit!

Residential and small business rebates: • Up to $800 for qualifying heating systems • Up to $700 for qualifying tankless water heaters • Up to $1,700 for combination furnace plus tankless water heater Learn more at SummitUtilities.com/Rebates

ARHVACR NewsMagazine September 2026

S tate, National, Chapter News State national Chapter News

Kirk’s Corner Don’t Leave Money on the Table Summer is peak air conditioning season in Arkansas. Homeowners are calling because their cooling system has failed and the focus naturally turns to getting them up and running again as quickly as possible. While replacing only the air conditioner may seem like the easiest solution, it also presents an excellent opportunity to discuss the benefits of replacing the entire HVAC system. A complete heating and cooling system can provide greater value to the customer, improve overall system performance, and generate additional revenue for your business. Better Performance Starts with a Matched System HVAC equipment is designed to work as a system. Pairing a new air conditioner with an older furnace can limit overall system performance and reduce the efficiency homeowners expect from their investment. Replacing both the heating and cooling equipment at the same time can offer: • Better humidity control and indoor comfort • Increased system reliability • Longer equipment life • Fewer service issues caused by mismatched components Today's high-efficiency • Improved energy efficiency

When indoor and outdoor units are engineered to work together, customers receive the full performance they are paying for. Save Customers Time and Future Expense Because a homeowner’s existing furnace might be nearing the end of its useful life, replacing only the air conditioner could mean another major replacement in just a few years. Replacing the complete system during one installation allows homeowners to:

Avoid

paying

for

multiple

•

installation visits

Reduce future labor costs

•

• Benefit from a single equipment warranty period • Enjoy improved comfort and efficiency immediately Helping customers think long-term builds trust and can position your company as a trusted expert and

ARHVACR NewsMagazine September 2026

S tate, National, Chapter News State national Chapter News

advisor rather than just an equipment installer.

That means everyone benefits: • Homeowners receive a rebate that helps reduce upfront costs • Contractors earn an additional $100 incentive for each qualifying installation • Suppliers benefit from increased sales of complete HVAC systems • Customers enjoy a more efficient, dependable heating and cooling system for years to come Turn Every AC Replacement Into a Complete System Conversation This cooling season, don't stop the conversation at the air conditioner. Ask about the age of the existing furnace, discuss the benefits of a matched heating and cooling system, and educate homeowners about available rebates and long-term savings. A complete HVAC replacement isn't just an equipment sale—it's an opportunity to provide better comfort, greater efficiency, improved reliability, and additional value for your customer while increasing revenue for your business. For more information about Summit Utilities' residential rebate programs and qualifying equipment, contact Kirk Pierce or visit the rebate program resources available to participating contractors.

Natural Gas Heating Delivers Value

For customers with access to natural gas, upgrading to a high-efficiency natural gas furnace can provide dependable comfort and performance during Arkansas winters. Modern furnaces with an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating of 90% or greater convert more fuel into usable heat, helping homeowners maximize efficiency while maintaining reliable comfort. High-efficiency natural gas furnaces provide: • Excellent comfort during colder weather • Lower energy waste through improved efficiency Rebates Make the Upgrade Even More Attractive Summit Utilities offers rebates up to $1,000 to help customers offset the cost of installing qualifying high-efficiency natural gas furnaces with an AFUE rating of 90% or greater. In addition, HVAC contractors receive a $100 installer incentive for each qualifying rebate application that lists them as the installing contractor. • • Fast, consistent heating Proven reliability

Kirk Pierce tpierce@summitutilities.com Phone: 501-412-9610

HVACR NewsMagazine September 2026

State National Chapter News

that hinge on the passage of ISSUE 3. Gabe Holmstrom of the ISSUE 3 campaign says that it does not raise taxes and 48 other states are already doing it. It is basically a rebate program which allows qualifying projects to get rebates on taxes they paid to help defray some of the big costs of putting in the project. The rebate eventually expires based on the local agreement. Then, the city, county, and state collect and keep the taxes the new business or industry generates. Everyone wins in the long run. Back to that billion dollars. Yes, it would be a big job to pick up a billion dollars but the question is, “Is it worth the effort?” In this case, you only have to cast your vote. Now, I assume that some may not be excited about Issue 3 and you may not be either. Question is, “Why, would you not be for it?” As a HVACR professional, you stand to win every time a new business opens. They all need heating, air conditioning, ventilation, and refrigeration. That will mean a lot of HVACR business for someone on the install and more for maintenance in the future. Perhaps you know something that I don’t know. If so, feel free to respond and we’ll try to air your views in the November issue which will publish with only 2 days before the election. We will never tell you how you should vote, only that you should vote your conscience based on fact. Have a great fall. Hope to see you in October. Pray and Vote on November 3 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers…for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives… 1 Timothy 1, 2

How much is a Billion Dollars?

To answer that question, let’s ask a question, in fact, four questions. Question 1— If you saw a dollar bill on the ground, Would you pick it up? Question 2— What if there were several dollar bills put end to end? Would you pick them up? Question 3— What if there were dollar bills end to end as far as you could see? Would you pick them up. Question 4— What if there were 1 billion dollar bills laid end to end. Would you pick them up? I know. It’s a billion dollars and it is starting to sound like work, BUT, it is a billion dollars. How else could you get a billion dollars. How big of a job is it to pick up a billion dollars? Well, those dollar bills laid end to end would circle the globe 3.898 times. It would be a big job, but, what if you could bring over a billion dollars into Arkansas with your vote? According to supporters of ISSUE 3, that is what is at stake. The proposed state constitutional amendment would allow Arkansas cities and counties to use the new tax revenue generated by the new business and industry to help fund economic development projects within predetermined districts. According to Cliff McKinney of Quattlebaum Grooms & Tull, he has clients that want to bring over a billion dollars of projects into Arkansas

Many HVAC contractors are seeing a new exclusion appear on their General Liability policies: the Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Exclusion. While it may seem like just another endorsement, it has the potential to create significant coverage gaps if not properly addressed. The PFAS EXCLUSION: What Every HVAC Contractor Needs to Know

4 QUESTIONS EVERY HVAC CONTRACTOR SHOULD ASK THEIR INSURANCE ADVISOR

Does my General Liability policy include a PFAS exclusion?

Do I have a Contractors Pollution Liability policy?

A HISTORY OF NARROWING COVERAGE

Does my pollution policy cover mold, Legionella, and transportation pollution?

General Liability policies have steadily narrowed pollution coverage over the past several decades. Beginning in the 1970s, insurers introduced pollution exclusions, culminating in the Absolute Pollution Exclusion in the mid-1980s. Since then, contractors have relied on separate environmental insurance policies to address many pollution-related exposures. PFAS is simply the latest evolution of that trend.

Is PFAS included within the policy's definition of a covered pollutant?

Understanding the answers to these questions today can help prevent a costly uninsured claim tomorrow.

Good News

For HVAC contractors, PFAS should not be viewed as a standalone issue. Your greatest environmental exposure often isn't PFAS itself, it's the potential to create a pollution event at a customer's property. Improperly managed moisture leading to mold, Legionella bacteria resulting from HVAC or water systems, refrigerant releases, or transportation related pollution incidents can all result in costly claims that are excluded under a standard General Liability policy. THE SOLUTION: LOOK BEYOND THE GENERAL LIABILITY POLICY

These exposures can be addressed. A well designed Contractors Pollution Liability (CPL) policy can provide coverage for jobsite pollution events, transportation pollution, mold, Legionella, and other environmental liabilities. Just as importantly, contractors should work with an insurance advisor who understands the environmental marketplace and can confirm whether PFAS is included within the policy's definition of a covered pollutant, rather than excluded.

Parsons - ins . com

jp @ parsons - ins . com

501 - 547 - 8899

HVACR NewsMagazine September 2026

Business & Marketing Tips

Blood Test & Financial Statements

Then you need to read them. (The blood test results). Then analyze them and take action based on what they are telling you. (Interpretation of the blood test results). If you don’t get any financial statements you are operating in the dark – you have no clue whether your company is truly profitable. Your bank balance doesn’t tell you! If you get financial statements, look at the bottom line of the profit and loss statement, and throw them in a drawer, that still doesn’t tell you anything on a long term basis about the financial health of your company. Like your blood tests, financial statements tell you what is happening with your business. They give you the warning signs of impending cash flow, profitability, and productivity issues. Take action to resolve them before they become business crises. If you don’t understand what they mean get help: Ask your CPA , read a book (The Courage to be Profitable explains financials), subscribe to Financially Fit Business. Just like a blood test is critical to your physical health, your financial statements are critical to your business health.

Article furnished by Ruth King Profit & Wealth Guru 770-729-0258 rking@ontheribbon.com

Most people have blood taken when they go to the doctor for their annual physical, i.e. their health checkup. The results come back and the doctor should review them with you. If you just get the tests and the normal ranges for the results, that is a disservice to you. If there is an area that is out of normal, either high or low, the doctor should explain what you need to do to get that test result back in range. If this is not explained to you, then the result doesn’t help you improve your health.

The same is true for financial statements.

First, get an on time and accurate balance sheet and profit and loss statement every month. (The blood test at your physical exam).

HVACR NewsMagazine September 2026

Business & Marketing Tips

Straight Talk About Private Equity By Patrick Lange When the owner of an HVAC company decides to sell, they usually have two main goals for their deal. One is the legacy goal: ensure that the company they worked so hard to build continues to operate successfully and take care of its customers and employees. The second goal is a financial one: getting top dollar for the business. These goals are not mutually exclusive, but the buyer pool will look different depending on which is more important to the seller. Here are some things a seller should understand about Private Equity buyers versus traditional buyers. Private Equity buyers are cash buyers. They are using their investors’ money, so they are not subject to the constraints of lenders, especially SBA lenders. An SBA loan is capped at $5 million, so buyers not backed by PE will need to secure additional financing to acquire large companies. PE buyers can also move faster, since the decision-making and approval process is internal and not subject to a team of underwriters. That means that the diligence process, negotiations, and closing might take considerably less time than with a traditional buyer. That matters to sellers who are ready to exit the business right away. Making the numbers work for PE buyers looks different than it does for traditional buyers. When a traditional buyer applies for financing, the numbers must make sense for the lender. The current cash

The Arkansas HVACR NewsMagazine welcomes Patick Lange as an important contributor to

Arkansas HVACR business health. As for credibility, Ruth King gave her stamp of approval without hesitation. So, who is Patrick Lange. Well, Patrick owned an HVAC company himself, so he knows firsthand what owners go through daily. That knowledge and experience shaped how he runs his business today. His business-building strategy is simply to educate, inform, and help owners get the most value they can from their companies, both when they own them AND when it's time to sell. He's been on hundreds of podcasts, spoken to thousands of HVAC owners at conferences, and is trusted by heating and air associations across the US. If you get a chance, have a look at his YouTube channel. He has 185 videos designed to inspire and educate. None of them is a sales pitch. He also publishes 5-6 articles a month and shares them via email with his 40,000+ HVAC industry contacts. His company, Business Modification Group, has a perfect 5-star Google rating. Patrick Lange is an experienced HVAC-specific business broker with Business Modification Group based in Madison, Florida. He specializes in companies with $1-10 million in revenue and maintains a network of buyers and sellers in the industry flow must cover debt service, normal operations, and provide a reasonable salary for the new owner or manager. If the business doesn’t have sufficient cash flow, the buyer won’t be approved.