Tips from PHCC on

Preparing for TomorrowTips from PHCC on

Preparing for Tomorrow

WHAT’S

AHEAD?

Southern Trade PublicationsP.O. Box 7344

Greensboro, NC 27417

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plumbing • heating • cooling

www.SouthernPHC.com December 2014/January 2015

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Running a business isn’t what it used to be — from how you con-nect with customers, to the regu-

lations that control how you operate, to how you find new employees. And the changes aren’t over — in fact, they’re coming at us faster and faster.

The key to success is keeping an eye out for what’s ahead. The fact that you’re reading this publication is one good way to do so. Another is to take advantage of the resources available through the Plumbing-Heating-Cool-ing Contractors Association (PHCC). In an industry governed by laws, standards and regulations, no one can protect your interests like your profes-sional trade association. Here are a few strategies you can follow to stay a step ahead — and thrive in a changing busi-ness environment.

Strategy 1: Know how changing regulations could affect you As a professional in this industry, you

know how important it is to comply with the increasing number of federal regulations that affect p-h-c businesses. Not only do you want to protect public health and safety by “doing the right things,” from a business perspective, you certainly don’t want to face fines and unnecessary delays in your proj-ects. Here are three evolving laws and regulations that may affect your busi-ness ... and your bottom line.

New water heater efficiency standards effective 4/16/2015

This may be the change that will most directly affect your plumbing business in 2015. The law that’s driving the change, the updated National Appliance Energy Conservation Act (NEACA), brings sig-nificant changes to water heater Energy Factor (EF) requirements. The new man-dates require higher EF ratings on near-

ly all residential gas, electric, oil, and tank-less water heaters.

How will the new requirements impact your business? Now is the time to start determining what types of changes you may need to make in storage, trans-portation, inven-tory, training and communicat ions .

PHCC-National developed a quick overview to help contractors prepare for the new laws (free to members) in partnership with Bradford White Water Heaters. In addition, the PHCC Educa-tional Foundation and Bradford White are collaborating to educate contractors at PHCC local and state chapter meet-ings and online webinars. The webinars are available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XB3kpNB1Hrg, or just search YouTube for NEACA.

What’s Ahead?Preparing for the Future Comes Down to 4 Key Strategies

A National Perspective“Serving on the national board of direc-tors, and now as an officer, has given me new insights about our industry. One thing that has been constant is change. In fact, keeping up with technology, and figuring out what works for us are never-ending jobs for business owners.

Another thing that we contractors face is regulation. Issues such as the Affordable Care Act, proposed furnace and AC ef-ficiency standards, workforce develop-ment, and even the possible changes in

how U.S. waterways are defined all have the potential to finan-cially impact us.

Fortunately, PHCC is focusing on these issues, and many more. Speaking as an owner, it’s comforting to know that I have PHCC working on

my behalf and that I have fellow members who I can go to for advice on how to adapt to these changes. As one south-erner to another, I hope to see y’all at an upcoming event!”

— Chip Greene, PHCC—National Association President-Elect,

President, Greene & Associates, Inc., Macon, Ga.

Chip Greene

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Story continues on page 12.

ºWhat to use after R-22? On Oct. 28, 2014, the Environmental

Protection Agency published its Final Rule on annual allocations for HCFCs, including HCFC-22 (also known as R-22). This will be the last set of alloca-tions for the years 2015-2019. Starting in 2020, the allocation for R-22 will be zero and the R-22 production and con-sumption phase out will be effectively complete. That means the time is now to fi gure out how you’re going to fi nd an alternative refrigerant.

As R-22 is gradually phased out, non-ozone-depleting alternative refriger-ants are being introduced. Throughout this transition, PHCC has kept mem-bers and the industry informed of the potential health and fi re risks related to using unapproved substitute R-22a, a propane-based refrigerant product. To help contractors fi nd suitable alterna-tives, EPA created the Signifi cant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program, which evaluates alternatives to ozone-depleting substances such as R-22. For the latest updates on SNAP, visit http://www.epa.gov/ozone/snap.

SEER AC requirements for the south-east and southwest

The U.S. Dept. of Energy has been working on regional effi ciency stan-dards for central air conditioners or Sea-sonal Energy Effi ciency Ratio (SEER) for some time.

You probably already know that on Jan. 1, 2015, DOE will start requiring that split-system central air condition-ers installed in the southeastern U.S. must have a SEER rating of at least 14, up from the previous minimum of 13. Units in the southwest will have in-creased minimum Energy Effi ciency Ratio (EER) ratings as well.

PHCC knows that this change could have a big impact on contrac-tors throughout the south, and we’ve been working to help DOE develop regulations that make sense in the real world. In fact, our VP of Technical and Code Services, Chuck White, has been

an active participant on DOE’s work-ing group — and he is the group’s only member with fi rst-hand experience in-stalling air conditioners.

Strategy 2: Share your opinion with lawmakers

As a business owner, legislative and regulatory changes should matter to you, because they affect both your com-pany and your family. When PHCC talks, lawmakers listen — last year, for example, our members went to Capitol Hill to talk with them on industry-spe-cifi c and small business issues ranging from workforce development and en-ergy effi ciency standards, to lead paint regulations and more. You too have a voice to infl uence proposed legislation and regulations before they become law by joining your fellow contractors to ed-ucate your representatives on how their

decisions will impact you. All p-h-c con-tractors are encouraged to participate in PHCC’s Legislative Conference, held each spring. Visit www.phccweb.org for more information.

Strategy 3: Get connectedAnother smart strategy is to join your

state and/or local PHCC organization, which gives you access to national

“After fi ve years of attending PHCC’s Legislative Conference, it is good to see that the relationships we are building are paying off. By attend-ing, we are expressing our opinions, giving our business advice, and making sure that our voice is heard loud and clear in Washington! OUR government will make decisions for us — and without us — if we are not involved.”

— Joel Long, GSM Services Inc., Gastonia, N.C.

Joel Long pictured (third from left) at PHCC’s Legislative Conference with members of the North Carolina Plumbing & Mechanical Association (a PHCC affi liate), and Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC).

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membership. By doing so, you’ll learn about trends affecting businesses in your region more quickly and have easy access to the education and training you need to be successful. You’ll also build valuable personal connections with new friends and allies and become part of a tight-knit group that can respond to challenges and opportunities.

One example of a state association taking action occurred in response to the tragic loss of life last year caused by a used (and improperly installed) pool heater. PHCC of Tennessee is step-ping up its lobbying efforts to press for a state law requiring all lodging estab-lishments with fossil fuel appliances to install carbon monoxide detectors. The organization is also reviewing legisla-tion for a “Limited License HVAC” li-cense for the state, similar to the Lim-ited License Plumber already in place. Other states are involved in a wide ar-ray of issues related to licensing, con-tinuing education, code and state regu-lations and laws.

To learn how to connect with a local or state organization, start by contact-ing PHCC National at (800) 533-7694.

Strategy 4: Keep learning… and know where to find resourcesIf you’re like most business owners,

you have your hands full tending to the day-to-day challenges of managing your business.

Fortunately, there are many resources available to you. For starters, check out the wealth of best practices, templates, webinars, consumer communication tools and more that are available on the PHCC website. Although many of these are accessible to members only, there are a number of tools and articles accessible to anyone visiting the PHCC National website. A great place to start is the “Tools & Resources” tab at phc-cweb.org. There you’ll find:

• Proven tips on running a more ef-ficient and profitable business, find-ing and retaining great employees, protecting your online reputation and

other topics. • Ready-to-use templates and tools to

help you reach new customers, improve sales techniques, communicate with media and more.

• An instant network of profession-als in other parts of the country you can turn to for valuable advice, resources and feedback.

• Educational seminars/webinars that focus on such topics as using mo-bile technologies in the field, what suc-cessful contractors will look like in 2020, and many more.

• Membership video series and social media outreach.

• Discount programs that help you save on products and services. One ex-ample is our program with Chrysler, with discounts for both you and your employees on vehicles, trucks and Pro-Master vans.

Workforce development, Georgia-styleA great example of how state PHCC

chapters collaborate with the national organization is in the area of workforce development.

PHCC-National and the PHCC Edu-cational Foundation have formed a spe-cial task force to assess ways that p-h-c businesses can better attract and train the next generation of skilled workers.

The Foundation also supports national forums to spotlight the next generation of talent, including SkillsUSA and the national PHCC and HVAC apprentice contests. In fact, this year we had a re-cord number of contestants participat-ing in prestigious competitions.

While our two groups are helping to raise awareness and establish curricu-lums for apprentice training, the actual work is being implemented by PHCC’s state and local chapters. For example, the Plumbing & Mechanical Associa-tion of Georgia (PMA) is working to be-come a Registered Apprenticeship pro-gram sponsor. The effort has included convening groups of stakeholders from businesses across the state, and organiz-ing a curriculum that offers classroom and online instruction.

For more information about PHCC’s workforce development efforts, check out the resources available at phccweb.org.

Get ready for the future It’s a bold new world out there — but

by keeping an eye out for the changes that are coming, making smart connec-tions with groups and other business owners, and taking advantage of the resources available, you can prepare yourself for continued success, no mat-ter what the future brings. n

Apprentice Tyler Arndt of Wisconsin received first place in PHCC’s national plumbing appren-tice contest (his father Dale is in the background with the big smile).