CHICAGO - The Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) will be hosting two panel discussions regarding the implementation of the 13 SEER energy efficiency standard during the 2006 International Air Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition (AHR Expo) at Chicago's McCormick Place Convention Center.

Entitled "13 Seer Is Here! Are You Ready?", the sessions are intended to provide members of the supply chain with an opportunity to define the issues they see arising from the 13 SEER implementation and to describe how they will address, or have addressed, these issues. The session will also identify industry-wide tools available to help supply-chain participants meet the conversion challenge.

The two sessions will take place from 10-11 a.m., Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 23 and 24 and will be held in Room S102A of the Chicago convention center. Panelists include members of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) and Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI).

The event is co-sponsored by ARI and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). The Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) is an honorary sponsor.

For more information about ARI's 13 SEER panel discussions, contact Jim Walters, ARI's director of International Standards, at jwalters@ari.org.

ARI is also hosting a panel discussion called "Ways to Find and Retain Qualified Technicians/Employees," sponsored by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) and moderated by The NEWS. The panel is made up of the winners of The NEWS' "Best Contractors To Work For" contest, who were nominated by the employees of their company as the best in North America based upon benefits, work environment, incentives, payment plans, training, and advancement opportunities. The panel discussion will be held in Room S103A, on Tuesday, Jan. 24, from 9-10 a.m.

Publication date: 01/09/2006