The HVAC industry's fight over outdoor GFCI protection is going down to the wire.
On August 27, ACHR News reported that AHRI and ACCA are seeking another delay to the September 1, 2026 expiration of the temporary exception affecting GFCI protection for certain outdoor HVAC equipment.
The reason is particularly important for contractors: industry testing is still finding compatibility problems.
Properly Working HVAC Equipment Can Still Trip
The concern is not simply that faulty HVAC equipment could trigger a GFCI device.
Industry groups say testing has shown some GFCI devices can trip even when connected to properly operating HVAC equipment, including conventional single-stage systems.
That raises the possibility of nuisance trips taking otherwise functional air conditioners or heat pumps offline.
For a homeowner, that looks like an HVAC failure.
For the contractor, it can become a callback.
The September 1 Deadline Is Almost Here
The current NEC exception expires September 1.
AHRI has proposed extending it to September 1, 2028, giving equipment and GFCI manufacturers more time to solve compatibility problems.
ACCA is backing that request.
The stakes are especially high because enforcement varies by jurisdiction. States and local code authorities do not all adopt the NEC on the same timetable or without amendments.
Contractors Could Get Stuck Between Two Products
This is what makes the issue unusual.
The HVAC equipment may meet its standards.
The GFCI device may meet its standards.
But the combination can still create a problem in the field.
Contractors are then left troubleshooting two products that may individually be operating as designed.
If the September 1 exception expires without another extension, the industry's technical debate becomes a jobsite problem almost immediately.
With days left on the clock, this has become one of the most urgent HVAC code stories of the year.
