Stan
Johnson, president of Stan's Heating & Cooling in
Austin, Texas, and current chairman of the Air Conditioning Contractors of
America, spoke yesterday to a U.S. House committee.
The ACCA’s chairman had both praise and criticism
for the way tax credits for high-efficiency HVAC equipment are being handled
during an appearance before Congress.
Stan Johnson, president of Stan's Heating
& Cooling in Austin, Texas, and current chairman of the Air Conditioning
Contractors of America, spoke yesterday to the U.S. House Small Business Committee during
a hearing on the $787 billion economic stimulus plan’s benefits for
small-business owners.
Johnson cited ACCA member surveys
that say almost two-thirds have experienced higher equipment sales since the
legislation was passed.
"Tax credits help drive up demand for qualified higher efficiency HVAC
equipment,” he said. “Increased efficiency is the low hanging fruit in the
effort stimulate the national economy, reduce energy consumption, promote
indoor air quality, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.”
However, Johnson pointed out that changes made to federal efficiency ratings disqualified
a large number of suitable equipment from receiving the tax credits, and more
should have been done to encourage small businesses to replace their HVAC
equipment.
A copy of his full testimony is
on the ACCA’s Web site .
