Over 50 HVACR contractors headed to Washington, D.C. this September for ACCA’s 2025 Advocacy Day, a two-day effort to influence federal policy. In just 48 hours, they held nearly 90 meetings with lawmakers, bringing real-world jobsite challenges to the table and calling for action on issues that directly impact the industry.
Talking Points That Hit Home
ACCA laid out four clear priorities for the congressional visits:
- Workforce Development: Support funding for programs like WIOA and Perkins grants to help fill the 42,500 open HVACR jobs.
- Energy Choice: Back the Energy Choice Act to stop state-level bans on natural gas systems and protect customer flexibility.
- Tax Incentives: Reinstate federal tax credits for efficient HVAC installations, which too often underperform due to poor design or setup.
- Refrigerant Rules: Avoid a state-by-state patchwork of refrigerant regulations that adds cost and confusion for contractors and customers.
Every one of these priorities came with a simple message: these policies affect your constituents, and we’re the ones who install and service the systems they rely on.
From the Field to the Hill
Contractors came prepared. Before meetings kicked off, they were briefed on advocacy strategy, given updated policy materials, and trained on how to keep lawmakers focused on real-world impact. Many teamed up with peers from neighboring states to present a united voice during joint meetings.
At one session, Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) shared his personal path from plumber to policymaker, showing that contractors’ voices belong in the room and can even take the lead. His presence underscored the event’s core message: trades professionals bring experience that’s needed in government conversations.
HVAC 101 for Lawmakers
On Wednesday, ACCA hosted an educational session on Capitol Hill called “HVAC 101,” designed to give legislators and their staff a crash course in the industry. Led by ACCA Chair Eddie McFarlane and a panel of seasoned contractors and technical experts, the briefing covered:
- What customers actually need to know before buying HVAC systems
- How poor installation leads to wasted efficiency
- Where current policy is making things harder, not better
The goal was to give lawmakers a better grip on the day-to-day realities their policies affect.
Why Contractors Can’t Afford to Sit Out on Policy
Regulations Don’t Wait for You to Weigh In
Building Influence, One Visit at a Time
They met face-to-face with senators, representatives, and key staff members to press for action. Whether the conversation was about training funding, refrigerant regulations, or gas bans, contractors kept the focus practical: How does this affect the jobsite? What does it mean for our teams, our customers, and our ability to deliver?
Why It Matters
From workforce shortages to regulatory roadblocks, contractors are facing challenges that require action beyond the jobsite. Events like ACCA’s Advocacy Day give commercial HVACR contractors a direct line to the people writing the rules. And when contractors speak from experience, lawmakers listen.
The goal was clear: put skilled pros in front of decision-makers and make the case for change. By all accounts, the effort paid off.
