What Does the Electrical Association of Philadelphia Actually Do?

"What does the Electrical Association of Philadelphia actually do?" is a fair question — especially for a contractor comparing dues against a dozen other line items. The short answer: EAP has been giving electrical, HVAC, and energy contractors in the region the leverage of a group since 1917. Here's what that looks like in practice, who it's for, and what people tend to get wrong about it.

How long has EAP been around?

EAP traces back to the fall of 1917, when a small group of Philadelphia industry pioneers met at the Hotel Adelphia to discuss forming an electric club in the city. That original group met as a monthly lunch gathering for six years before branching out into promotion work and an industrial lighting campaign — the early version of the advocacy and education work EAP still does today.

Who can join EAP?

Membership is built around three groups working across the energy space:

• Energy Contractors — a broad category covering electrical, HVAC, lighting, controls, generator, solar, EV, and renewable energy companies. Many contractors offer several of these services; others specialize in one.
• Supplier Members — companies that manufacture, sell, or distribute products, including manufacturers, manufacturers' representatives, and wholesaler distributors serving the energy space.
• Industry Professionals — firms that provide services to contractors, including building commissioning, electrical testing and field services, energy management and utility program implementation, engineering (MEP, transportation, and utility engineering), equipment rental, lighting design, retail energy procurement, security systems design, smart building/IoT consulting, and third-party electrical inspection agencies.

What's included in membership?

Membership isn't static — EAP adds tangible value every year. A few things members felt directly in 2026:

Contractor Power Breakfasts. What started in 2025 hit a real cadence this year, with four well-attended breakfast meetings held exclusively for EAP member contractors. One of EAP's newest members joined specifically after seeking out and attending a breakfast meeting.

The EAP Health Care Program. EAP partnered with Affinity Benefits to give members access to affordable health insurance built specifically for associations like EAP — coverage individual businesses can't get on their own. It includes eight plan designs (with two HSA options), a choice of two national networks members can use wherever they live or see a provider, and annual cost increases running about half the national average. Health coverage is one of the biggest challenges members face, and EAP negotiated this because small businesses shouldn't have to go it alone.

Member Advantage Day — Wednesday, October 21. Held in conjunction with Electric Expo 2026, this day gives current and future leadership at EAP member contractor companies added value at no additional cost, with sessions on attracting and retaining talent, protecting margins with technology, sales and marketing, and using AI in electrical contracting.

The most common misconception about EAP

People often assume EAP represents only one kind of contractor — either union or merit shop. In fact, EAP has represented both since day one. Union contractors like H.B. Frazer Company and Union Contracting have been EAP members since 1929, and proud merit-shop companies like Swartley Brothers Engineers (members for 47 years) and Charles A. Higgins & Sons (members for 46 years) have held long-term memberships right alongside them. EAP's services are built to serve contracting professionals broadly, not one segment of the trade.

The benefit members are most surprised EAP offers

Without a doubt, it's the Member Help Desk — the unsung hero of EAP membership. Having someone to call who actually picks up, or calls back within a reasonable amount of time, and is equipped to solve your specific problem can cover the cost of your annual dues with a single phone call. EAP's staff carries 60 years of combined experience serving EAP contractors and a well-established network willing to help. It's the cheapest insurance policy around.

See the full picture of what membership includes, or become a member and put EAP's network, education, and Help Desk to work for your business.