The Air Conditioning Contractors of America(ACCA), the only nationwide association representing HVACR businesses, has announced that the week of April 18-24, 2004 will be the first annual "National Indoor Comfort Week." This is a week to showcase the positive impact that the HVACR industry has on health, safety, and overall quality of life.

On March 2, immediately following the 2004 ACCA Conference & Indoor Air Expo, a resolution officially designating the week was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Don Manzullo (R-IL), chairman of the House Small Business Committee.

The resolution reads as follows:

"Whereas indoor environmental systems have saved millions of lives and improved the health of our citizens;

"Whereas, because of environmental systems, food is preserved, modern medicine is possible, and our children breathe easier;

"Whereas the men and women who design, manufacture, install, and maintain heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems play a crucial role in our economy;

"Whereas professional certified technicians save our Nation millions of dollars each year through the design and installation of more efficient equipment that provides essential comfort while reducing energy usage; and

"Whereas the Air Conditioning Contractors of America have proposed designating April 18 through 24, 2004, as National Indoor Comfort Week: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives-

(1) recognizes the contributions that environmental systems have made to our quality of life, including through reducing energy use;

(2) recognizes the technicians who install and maintain environmental systems and thanks them for the application of their knowledge to increasing energy efficiency; and

(3) supports the goals and ideals of National Indoor Comfort Week as proposed by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America."

"Few things have impacted American life as much as modern indoor environmental systems," said Paul T. Stalknecht, ACCA president & CEO. "Yet they have become such a basic part of everyday living that few consumers stop to think about their importance! This contributes to a perceived image problem on the part of many in the HVACR contracting industry who fail to understand just how vital they are to their communities. At the same time, a lack of public outreach on the importance of indoor comfort makes it more difficult for contractors to expand into new, more profitable value-added products and services.

"We salute Rep. Manzullo and the U.S. Congress for recognizing the importance of our industry, and urge everyone in the HVACR community to use National Indoor Comfort Week as a tool to showcase the depth of our industry's impact on American life."

Official "National Indoor Comfort Week" logos can be downloaded for use in print and online materials from the association's website at www.acca.org>www.acca.org. The week will become an annual event; starting in 2005, the association will work with its many state and local chapters around the country to make the week even more meaningful with advertising, publicity, and industry image promotion.

"This is an exciting opportunity for contractors across the country to 'show off' how proud we are of our industry, and our employees," Stalknecht said, "while reminding everyone of how important we are to the modern world."