Job Title: Senior Policy Lead: HVACR codes and rebates
Organization: HARDI (Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International)
Reports to: Vice President of Government Affairs
Date: January 8, 2026
Company Overview: HARDI is a non-profit trade association that strives to strengthen the HVACR wholesale industry. HARDI employs passionate individuals who love a challenge and find fulfillment in supporting the organization.
Summary of Role: The codes and rebates lead serves as HARDI’s advisor on local and state HVACR code adoption and utility rebate programs that affect equipment installation, compliance, and affordability. This position monitors, evaluates, and influences building, mechanical, energy, and fire code proposals, while also advocating for practical, workable rebate and incentive programs that align with real-world HVACR installation practices.
HARDI supports codes and standards that prioritize safe and efficient installation while preserving consumer choice by allowing multiple compliant HVACR technologies and installation pathways. HARDI also advocates for rebate and incentive programs that focus on affordability and practicality, ensuring consumers can access efficient HVACR solutions without undue cost or administrative burden.
The role operates as a senior individual contributor, providing hands-on technical analysis, policy translation, and external engagement. Success is measured by the quality of technical evaluations, effectiveness of advocacy, and the degree to which adopted codes and rebate programs support safe, affordable, and feasible HVACR installations for distributors, contractors, and consumers.
Key Responsibilities:
Codes & Standards Monitoring and Analysis
· Manage HARDI-provided subscriptions to track state and local HVACR-related code adoption processes, including building, mechanical, energy, and fire codes.
· Identify proposed code changes that affect HVACR equipment installation, safety, efficiency, refrigerants, electrical service, venting, and space requirements.
· Conduct technical reviews of proposed code language to assess installation feasibility, cost impacts, and unintended consequences.
· Compare proposed requirements against established standards (e.g., IMC, IECC, ASHRAE, UL, manufacturer installation instructions).
Technical Advocacy & Stakeholder Engagement
· Support HARDI’s advocacy efforts by providing technical memos, talking points, and recommended amendments to code proposals to policymakers.
· Participate in or support testimony at local and state code hearings, workshops, and stakeholder meetings.
· Serve as a technical resource to code officials, regulators, and policymakers on HVACR installation realities and market impacts.
· Coordinate with HARDI members, manufacturers, contractors, and external technical experts to validate impacts and refine positions.
Utility Rebate & Incentive Program Advocacy
· Monitor local and utility HVACR rebate and incentive programs, including technical eligibility criteria, documentation requirements, and program updates.
· Evaluate rebate specifications for alignment with real-world installation practices, code requirements, and distributor/contractor capabilities.
· Identify conflicts or misalignments between codes and rebate programs that increase costs, limit product availability, or hinder participation.
· Engage with utilities, state energy offices, and program administrators to advocate for workable, affordable rebate designs that support HVACR adoption without creating unnecessary barriers.
Impact Analysis
· Assess the combined impacts of codes and rebates on distributor inventory, contractor installation, workforce requirements, and end-user costs.
· Develop recommendations to align regulatory requirements with incentive programs.
· Maintain institutional knowledge of jurisdictional trends, outcomes, and recurring technical issues to inform long-term advocacy strategy.
Preferred Qualifications:
· Deep familiarity with HVACR systems, equipment installation practices, and distributor-contractor workflows.
· Experience working with or evaluating building, mechanical, or energy codes at the state or local level.
· Experience with utility or state energy rebate and incentive programs, including electrification or energy efficiency initiatives.
· Ability to communicate complex technical issues clearly to non-technical audiences, including regulators and policymakers.
· Comfort representing the organization in external meetings, hearings, and technical discussions.
Required Qualification
· Bachelor’s degree or 5 years of technical background in HVACR equipment, installation, utility programs, or codes adoption.
Benefits listed below:
- Competitive salary
- Health and dental Insurance premiums paid in full by HARDI
- Single bank of paid-time-off, available upon hire
- Hybrid schedule
- Reduced summer hours Memorial Day - Labor Day
- 401(k) plan including non-elective employer contribution as well as employer match
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Family leave
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid sick time
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: Remote
