Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Association (PHCC) - Experts & Thought Leaders

A strong line-up of top apprentices will have their opportunity to shine at the PHCC Educational Foundation’s National Plumbing and HVACR apprentice contests. This two-day competition will take place during CONNECT 2024, October 7-10, at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center, Birmingham, Alabama. Apprentices' skills and expertise These contests — always a popular attraction on the trade show floor — will highlight the skills and expertise of the nation’s top apprentices in the plumbing and HVACR industries and allow attendees to watch the contestants’ progress. Apprentices from across the country will come together to showcase their expertise and compete for the title of the nation’s top apprentice. This event offers apprentices not only a chance to demonstrate their skills but also an opportunity to network with fellow apprentices and industry professionals. written test and hands-on skills Plumbing apprentices must rough in a bathroom – including the drain, waste, and vent lines Plumbing apprentices must rough in a bathroom – including the drain, waste, and vent lines, a toilet, a sink, and a shower. HVACR apprentices must demonstrate their knowledge with a written test, plus their hands-on skills with brazing, pressure testing, refrigerant recovery, and diagnosing and repairing a package unit system. tradeshow floor The evening of Tuesday, October 8, will kick off with a pep rally on the tradeshow floor to energize and support the contestants. University of Alabama sportscaster Chris Stewart will emcee the event. After the contest concludes on Wednesday, October 9, participants and attendees are invited to celebrate at the awards breakfast on Thursday, October 10. This event will honor the top performers and offer a final chance to honor the hard work and dedication of the next generation of industry leaders. awareness for local apprentice programs “We are very proud to sponsor these contests each year,” says Kevin Tindall, PHCC Educational Foundation Chair. He adds, “Not only do they provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for star apprentices to demonstrate their skills on a national stage, but the contests also support the Foundation’s mission by helping to generate awareness for local apprentice programs, boosting interest in the fields of plumbing and HVAC and attracting recruits to the industry.”

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 help companies like Amazon, Google, and John Deere foster a harmonious and high-performing workplace. Butler will present a keynote address, “Building an Effective Multi-Generational Workplace.” He will also lead a breakout session on the topic of “Winning the Talent War.” Practical strategies and innovative solutions Mary Kelly is a Council of Peer Award of Excellence speaker, best-selling author and Navy commander Mary Kelly is a Council of Peer Award of Excellence speaker, best-selling author and Navy commander. At CONNECT, Kelly will share various stories and experiences of interest to p-h-c contractors during her keynote address, “Why Leaders Fail and the 7 Prescriptions for Success.” Kelly will also lead a breakout session, “Master Your World,” where she will emphasize effective tactics, practical strategies and innovative solutions that are tailored to dilemmas faced by pioneers. “I know that many attendees, including myself, are anticipating the remarks that Jeff and Mary will share,” says Joe Cornetta, PHCC national president and co-owner of Cornetta Brothers, Inc., Elmont, New York. “We are excited to have these two pioneers join us and help offer invaluable insights to the industry.” Information on education sessions For more details, including the schedule-at-a-glance, visit the website. This site offers information on education sessions, speakers, exhibitors, registration and hotel reservations, as well as the many attractions of Birmingham, known as “The Country’s Best Kept Secret.”

“Stop it!” was a common phrase heard during the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors–National Association (PHCC) Educational Foundation’s popular Essentials of Project Management boot camp. There were 22 attendees for the four-day class. The program was broadcast live online from A. O. Smith University, with instruction from Purdue University Professor Emeritus Kirk Alter. Takeaway  “Don’t ever say in my company that ‘the general contractor made us’ do something. Stop it! Nobody makes you do anything on your jobs,” said Alter in the class section on contracts. “It’s all about what your company agrees to in the contract. As the project manager, you must read and understand every word of your contract and it is on you and your company to strike out or amend the harmful clauses before that contract is signed.”   In the class section on jobsite planning, Alter explained “Some of you allow delivery trucks to show up any time of the day. Stop it, that’s incredibly wasteful!” The attendees then learned exactly how much unloading an unscheduled delivery truck can cost in terms of manhours and dollars versus a delivery occurring at times that match the daily mobilization/demobilization cycle on a jobsite. reading business and management books Alter encouraged the attendees to learn from other's mistakes through reading a variety of business and management books Alter encouraged the attendees to learn lessons from the mistakes others have made through reading a variety of business and management books. “You tell me that you don’t have time to read books. Stop it! If you read just 13 pages each night, you will be able to finish an average of 12 books in a year,” said Alter. The class received a long list of recommended books to continue their learning after the class. Sponsored by A. O. Smith and Kohler Company A. O. Smith University supported the project management class through use of their studio and professional staff. A. O. Smith and Kohler Company also sponsored the class. “We are so proud to support the PHCC Educational Foundation and the education they are bringing to contractors,” said Victor Albright, digital content manager at A. O. Smith. “The management lessons taught in this program can be applied anywhere — we are often taking notes in the video control booth for our own use.” The Foundation conducts a two-day Foremen Workshop at Viega’s training center in Nashua, N.H. with Kirk Alter providing instruction. 

Among the requirements of the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act of 2020 is a ban on disposable, single-use cylinder tanks used to transport refrigerants through the supply chain to an HVAC installer. A final rule posted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on October 5, 2021, will prohibit the use of disposable cylinders in the next several years.  HVAC installers use the disposable cylinders every day to transport hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants including R32 and R410A. Refrigerants transported in refillable cylinders Instead, under the ban, refrigerants must be transported in refillable cylinders, which are heavier and difficult to handle in cramped spaces or on ladders. Handling the heavier refillable cylinders will contribute to injuries and long-term strain on technicians.  Imports and placement of HFCs into new disposable cylinders must end by January 1, 2025, and an outright ban on the sale of disposable cylinders will happen on January 1, 2027, according to rules passed by the EPA. A proposed tracking system will use QR codes on each refillable cylinder, tied to a central database that will identify the producer or importer and track the “chain of custody” of the cylinder. eliminating the use of disposable cylinders The small amount of refrigerant will find its way into the atmosphere, either by leaking out or when the cylinder is crushed There are two stated reasons the EPA is eliminating the use of disposable cylinders. One is environmental concerns about the small amount of refrigerant left in a disposable cylinder after it is used. This small amount of refrigerant (the “heel”) will eventually find its way into the atmosphere, either by leaking out or when the cylinder is crushed for recycling. The other stated reason is to curb illegal HFC trafficking and imports because smugglers use the inexpensive and untraceable disposable tanks.  bipartisan legislation passed by Congress The AIM Act was bipartisan legislation passed by Congress and signed into law in late 2020; it gives the EPA authority to phase down HFCs to 15% of their baseline levels by 2036. Industry opponents contend the ban on disposable cylinders exceeds the authority granted to the EPA by the AIM Act. Opponents also contend that banning non-refillable cylinders is an unnecessary restriction that does almost nothing to protect the environment.  Hassles for the HVAC industry The ban would also impose financial and logistical difficulties on contractors and the broader industry The HVAC industry also sees the tracking database as onerous. For example, distributors would need to track individual cylinders with their EPA identifier number and report which cylinders are sold to which customers. The measure would also impose financial and logistical difficulties on contractors and the broader industry. One estimate of the cost to U.S. companies of setting up a fleet of refillable cylinders is $2 billion. There is also concern about how returned cylinders containing A2L refrigerants can be handled to meet fire code requirements for storage of flammable gases. Implementing the new requirements could also further constrain the cooling supply chain, which is already stressed. Worthington Industries petitioned the EPA to rescind Worthington Industries, the only U.S. manufacturer of disposable cylinders, has petitioned the EPA to rescind the ban and proposes an alternative approach – a lightweight, fully recyclable cylinder – that addresses concerns about smuggling and heel emissions.   HARDI, the U.S. association of HVAC wholesalers, has filed a lawsuit against the EPA in an effort to overturn the ban. They are joined in the petition by Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), and the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors – National Association (PHCC).  Non-refillable, disposable cylinders have already been banned in several countries, including the European Union (EU), Canada and Australia. In these locations, smugglers have adapted to other types of containers.