Arlington, Virginia, United States, 29 March 2020: The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) on March 27 expressed its appreciation to the 23 US states and the District of Columbia* that, thus far, have heeded the industry’s call for “essential business” status during this health crisis. “These governors deserve the thanks of the manufacturers, distributors, contractors, engineers and technicians that are committed to continuing to keep the American people productive, healthy, and comfortable in these trying times,” said AHRI President & CEO, Stephen Yurek. “Our industry is working overtime to ensure that lifesaving equipment remains available to all who need it.”

Last week, AHRI joined with nine other organisations, representing the HVACR and water heating equipment manufacturers, contractors, technicians, engineers, plumbers, and sheet metal contractors in issuing a statement to governmental organisations grappling with travel and personal interaction restrictions designed to prevent the spread of infection. Those trade associations and membership societies representing North America’s heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, and water heating industry had requested that federal, state, and local authorities grant “essential business” status to the HVACR and water heating industry.

Organisations signing the statement included AHRI; the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA); the Heating, Airconditioning, and Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI); the Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA); North American Technician Excellence (NATE); the Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors National Association (PHCC), the Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Contractors National Association (SMACNA); the Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI); ASHRAE; and the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA).

In addition to the District of Columbia, the states that have accorded the industry “essential business” status are Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.