February Comfort Connection

February 15, 2021

Upcoming Events including the Shamrock Shindig! Legislative updates and more!

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CHCC is the premiere HVAC Contractor's association in Connecticut, serving 180+ member companies statewide, our members success is our business. We strive to deliver innovative educational programs and networking events that contribute to your business and future success in today's competitive local market. Comfort Connection is your monthly publication with all of the association events and happenings as well as industry news and vendors who support your industry. CHCC - Supporting the Industry that Supports You

ANNUAL SPONSORS

Please take note of the vendors who support the advancement of the industry.

Interested in being an Annual Sponsor? Deadline Extended through 2/19/2021.
Click Here for Details

UPCOMING EVENTS

*Must Register to Receive Access Link

Limited Seating - *Virtual Option Available
(*Must Register to Receive Access Link)

Join us to raise a glass of Guinness @ Landsowne Pub @ Mohegan Sun! This event planning is under way and we are rolling with the ever changing guidelines. Register on our website today before tickets sell out!

Your Opinion Matters!
Instead of sending a typical survey, we want to hear from you. Please reach out and schedule a time that works best for me to come to you, we can do lunch, a cup of coffee or a scheduled to call to learn how we can best serve you this year!
Hope to hear from you!
- Jenn
jjennings@chcca.net or (860) 533-1163

CODE UPDATE

The State Codes and Standards Committee voted to skip the update to the 2018 codes and go directly to the 2021 family of code. The review process of these codes is starting next week and adoption is expected by year end.

Here’s a list of links to take you to HTML versions of the ICC model codes for the 2015s, 2018s and 2021s. Please review the changes and let us know if you have any concerns at codes@chcca.net

MEMBERSHIP

In uncertain times, your trade association is here to serve you. Interested in joining Connecticut Heating & Cooling Contractors Association? Click the link below to find out more, Membership & Contest Details.

Membership Information

INDUSTRY NEWS & ARTICLES

SUPPORT HB5889 - VOTE YES FOR JOBS!

Unfortunately, these regulations often fall hardest on small businesses and ultimately it is the consumer who pays. Regulations like the arbitrary hiring ratio help protect large firms from having to compete with small firms trying to expand and startups trying to enter the market, resulting in higher prices for consumers.

Discussion on the Apprentice Hiring Ratio Issue with Representative Tim Ackert, IEC and CHCC.

PAID FAMILY SICK LEAVE

What does the new payroll tax mean for Connecticut employees?

Connecticut Paid Family Medical Leave Act (PFMLA) is effective July 1, 2021. The Connecticut PFMLA website, however, indicates PFMLA deadlines and notable dates as follows:

·    As of January 1, 2021, employers should have begun withholding employee contributions (0.5% of each paycheck) to the Connecticut Paid Leave Authority Trust Fund.
·    March 31, 2021 - first quarterly payment due date.
·    June 30, 2021 - second quarterly payment due date.
·    September 30, 2021 - third quarterly payment due date.
·    Late 2021 - employees may apply for benefits.
·    December 31, 2021 - fourth quarterly payment due date.
·    January 1, 2022 - benefit payments begin for approved paid leave benefit applications.
·    July 1, 2022 – employers must provide employees with written notice containing descriptions of the following: (1) the job-protected leave provided under the CT PFML; (2) the opportunity to apply for CT PFML benefits through the CT Paid Leave Authority; (3) employee protection from retaliation for requesting and/or taking CT PFML; and, (4) employee's right to file complaints with the Labor Commissioner.

DON'T MISS OUT!!!
PPP ROUND TWO OPEN
Key PPP updates include:

PPP borrowers can set their PPP loan’s covered period to be any length between 8 and 24 weeks to best meet their business needs;
PPP loans will cover additional expenses, including operations expenditures, property damage costs, supplier costs, and worker protection expenditures;
The Program’s eligibility is expanded to include 501(c)(6)s, housing cooperatives, direct marketing organizations, among other types of organizations;
The PPP provides greater flexibility for seasonal employees;
Certain existing PPP borrowers can request to modify their First Draw PPP Loan amount; and
Certain existing PPP borrowers are now eligible to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan.

A borrower is generally eligible for a Second Draw PPP Loan if the borrower:

Previously received a First Draw PPP Loan and will or has used the full amount only for authorized uses;
Has no more than 300 employees; and
Can demonstrate at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020.

The new guidance released includes:

Click Here for Application

COVID-19 STATE OF CONNECTICUT

FULL LISTING OF ALL COVID-19 EXECUTIVE ORDERS

Some valuable resources:

Under the recently issued sector guidelines for Reopening (May 20th), note that almost all of them have a category for "Ventilation" - which states that these businesses/offices/facilities are to:

Increase ventilation rates and increase the percentage of outdoor air that circulates into the system where possible.

And for restaurants, which as of right now will be for outdoor only dining, it still says that this would apply to indoor operational areas like the kitchen, etc.

Here are the sector rules:

https://portal.ct.gov/DECD/Content/Coronavirus-Business-Recovery/Sector-Rules-for-May-20-Reopen

Also, for CHCC members (especially those that may hold P licenses), DPH has recently issued some Return to Service Guidance for Building Water Systems, including hot water tanks and boilers. Link below:

https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/Departments-and-Agencies/DPH/dph/drinking_water/pdf/COVID-19-Return-to-Service-Guidance.pdf

JOIN A COMMITTEE!

CHCC committees are a great way to get involved and more out of your membership. Learn about all the committees CHCC has to offer!

Code

Monitors, reviews and reports code changes to the Membership, assists the Government Affairs Committee with testimony regarding code, prepares press releases for publication when relevant. Contact codes@chcca.net for more info!

Education

Provides strategic direction for all association education, professional development, training and certification programs, including guidance about seminar and discussion topics for the dinner meetings that will help train strong, effective contractors and recommend to the Board of Directors.

Golf

Recommends a venue, vendors and creative ideas to grow the participation of the event (including games, tee and green ideas, etc.). The committee is responsible for soliciting raffle donations and sponsorship to aid in the success of the fundraiser. Additionally, responsible for ensuring the tournament is staffed appropriately with volunteers.

Government Affairs

Studies State legislation and works with the Association Lobbyist to provide recommendations to the Board of Directors as to what position, if any, should be taken by the Association and ensures the issues are communicated to the appropriate governmental agencies and that the membership is informed of the actions of the agencies which may affect the industry. The committee also actively participates in hearings and events at the Capitol.

FIND YOUR LEGISLATOR

Membership

Oversees development and implementation of a marketing plan, including identifying potential members, active recruitment and identifying the industry’s needs while creating ways to meet those needs with products, services and programs to be offered by the Association. Committee Members serve along with the Board of Directors as membership meeting ambassadors and assist in staffing the booth at trade shows.

Trade Show

Recommends a venue, vendors and creative ideas to grow the participation of the event (including CHCC booth ideas). The committee is responsible for soliciting exhibitors, raffle donations and sponsorship to aid in the success of the fundraiser. Works with the contracted event management team to complete items on event timeline. Responsible for working with the education committee to develop a seminar schedule.

Click here to send us an email on which committee you would like to join!

TOP INDUSTRY VENDORS

Interested in advertising in the next edition? Visit our website for more details!

CHCC PROGRAMS

CHCC Code Committee is kicking off a series of virtual webinars featuring a collection of timely and emerging topics pertinent to residential and commercial buildings.

This new Code Connection Series will provide an opportunity to highlight key issues and challenges, recent updates and an overview of codes of interest to Connecticut HVAC/R & Plumbing Contractors.

Seminars later this month. Each will materialize across a range of engaging formats, from powerpoint, to video overview to interactive discussions. This is a members exclusive series.

Stay tuned for dates and registration details in the coming weeks or visit us at www.chcca.net. In the mean time, make sure to subscribe to our member exclusive code forum on facebook.

MAKE SURE TO JOIN THIS MEMBER ONLY FORUM! Founded and monitored by CHCC Code Committee Chairman, Hank Cullinane. If you are involved in the design, approval, installation or service of HVAC systems, you have experienced the frustration of finding and interpreting building code requirements.

Often, there is no good online resource to help answer questions regarding common code requirements.

Code Connection Forum brought to you by the Connecticut Heating & Cooling Contractors Association, is a member resource for contractors, engineers and code officials to ask questions and or seek out answers to common code questions. Ask to join the group on facebook.

Service Roundtable Affiliate

CHCC Members can add this onto their membership for $25 (a 50% discount).Open up a whole new world of discounts, rebate checks, a nationwide network and more.

Click here to learn who Service Roundtable is.

CHCC 401(k) Opportunity

As an association, we are constantly trying to provide more value to our members. As such, we have launched a group retirement plan benefit exclusively for our contractors. By relying on the bargaining power of a large group.

Click here to learn more about this opportunity.

Copyright © 2019 Connecticut Heating and Cooling Contractors Association, All rights reserved.

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2842 Main St # 259
Glastonbury, Connecticut 06033
United States

(860) 533-1163

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March Comfort ConnectionMarch 15, 2021 January Comfort ConnectionJanuary 15, 2021