The boards of the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) and the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association (GAMA) have approved a merger and sent the proposal to the respective memberships for a vote that was to be held Dec. 15; the results were not available at press time.

The end result would be the Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), a larger, combined group of manufacturers that would collectively wield greater leverage on Capitol Hill, and enhance domestic HVAC positions in the global economy.

With membership approvals, the combined organization could become official on Jan. 1, 2008, and would be incorporated under Virginia law.