ARLINGTON, Va. — The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) launched its Building Performance Council (BPC).

The BPC broadens the horizon for ACCA members by integrating shared learning through a multitude of products and systems. The council will offer members new building performance and energy-efficiency information together under one organization.

“There was no better time than now for ACCA to create a council to serve the building performance market segment,” said Joe Nichter, ACCA board chairman. “Members of ACCA are no longer just heating and cooling contractors. We have been looking at the whole building for years, and this new council will help members continue to be successful in this growing market segment.”

The BPC’s scope of work will include seeking recognition of applicable ACCA standards by state and federal entities, utilities, and allied trade/professional organizations; developing training programs that assist contractors in implementing the QH Standard, ANSI/ACCA 12 QH – 2011 Existing Home Evaluation and Performance Improvement; and ascertaining the marketplace for need and viability of a contractor recognition or accreditation program based on the QH Standard.

Other roles include planning building performance workshops for future ACCA annual conferences and other meetings; launching new communications; developing a BPC section for the ACCA website; creating a BPC contractor directory; providing input; and developing additional national standards.

The BPC will be guided by an advisory committee, led by inaugural chairman Ellis Guiles of TAG Home Performance (Syracuse, N.Y.).

“As a contractor-led organization, the BPC will have direct input from contractors who perform this type of work on a daily basis,” said Guiles. “This unique view will help make the market segment more professional and help show measurable value to customers.”

Other committee members include Larry Taylor, AirRite Air Conditioning Co. (Fort Worth, Texas); Hal Smith, Halco Plumbing & Heating (Phelps, N.Y.); Richard Dean, Environmental Systems Associates Inc. (Columbia, Md.); Adam Gloss, Bel Red Energy Solutions (Mukilteo, Wash.); Steve Saunders, Tempco Mechanical Services (Irving, Texas); Steve Schmidt, Frederick Air Inc. (Frederick, Md.); Bert Kendall, Green Homes America (Cannonsburg, Pa.); Matthew Todd, Entek Corp. (Longview, Wash.); John Waldorf, Estes Heating & Air Conditioning (Atlanta, Ga.); Rob Minnick, Minnick’s Inc. (Laurel, Md.); Robert Wilkos, Comfort Institute Inc. (Bellingham, Wash.); and Tim Cropp, CroppMetcalfe Inc. (Fairfax, Va.).

“The BPC is the second council ACCA has started to serve the diverse market segments in our industry,” said Paul T. Stalknecht, ACCA president and CEO. “We believe the BPC will grow and have a major influence on the building performance market, because ACCA has been laying the groundwork for many years through its development of standards and quality assurance programs.”

Publication date: 03/26/2012