ARLINGTON, Va. - As of January 2009, the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) began a new procedure for billing 2009 membership dues and certification fees. Dues will continue to be based on sales volume, using a two-tier rate system. Due to different and varied revenue streams, the former Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association’s (GAMA’s) member dues were at a higher rate than the former Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute’s (ARI’s) members’ dues. To achieve rate equality over the next few years, rates for former ARI members will increase, while former GAMA member rates will decrease. The minimum dues for all AHRI members for 2009 will be $2,500.

To make participant’s certification costs more predictable and equitable, AHRI has streamlined certification fee invoicing. Invoices will now be mailed, each including a license fee and a participant test fee. The license fee will be based on sales volume at a rate per thousand to cover certification administration costs not recovered as part of the participant fee.

The participant fee will be based on the number of tests conducted, plus a portion of the certification administration costs. The minimum license fee for each program will be $2,500. The license fee can be paid in full or in quarterly installments. The license fee for GAMA and Institute of Boiler and Radiator Manufacturers (IBR) participants will be phased in over three years.

In 2011, all certification program participants will pay the same license fee.

For more information, contact Stephanie Murphy at smurphy@ahrinet.org.

Publication date: 02/09/2009