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 .