The 486,805 square feet of exhibit space at AHR Expo 2023 in Atlanta provided clear evidence of how technology innovation in HVAC has accelerated in the last decade. Change and progress were everywhere among the 1,779 exhibitors, including 425 international exhibits.
HVAC systems on display
New electronic tools, cloud-based solutions, higher efficiency ratings, mini-split systems, new regulations, and new control strategies are driving product development enabling HVAC systems to deliver new solutions for customers. The 42,794 attendees at AHR Expo 2023 took notice.
Heat pumps continue to lead product innovation, with many systems targeting better performance in colder climates. Combination systems that incorporate water heating along with ambient heating and cooling are also more common.
solutions rather than equipment
More than one exhibitor at AHR Expo 2023 noted that their emphasis this year is on “solutions rather than equipment.”
It’s no longer just about products, or even about how things work. Rather, it’s about how they work together, and what problem(s) they can solve.
Digital systems
Digital systems are higher-profile this year than ever, somewhat supplanting the dominance of large equipment displays of years past. Instead of showing the big equipment, some exhibitors embraced schematics and animated simulations to demonstrate their operation on a video screen.
Virtual displays also highlighted the operation of electronic control systems and other digital elements of the latest HVAC systems.
Regulations, positive economic winds
Regulations are ensuring a continuing demand for new equipment, and tax incentives are creating new business growth
An economic slowdown is a possibility later in 2023, according to economists, but there was little concern evident at AHR Expo. Exemplifying an industry in the process of reinventing itself, the show reflected positive economic winds that will make HVAC more lucrative than ever in the coming years.
Regulations are ensuring a continuing demand for new equipment, and tax incentives (such as those in the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act) are creating new business growth. Several exhibitors helpfully highlighted which of their products are eligible for tax incentives.
new sustainable HVAC technologies
As part of the broader trend of digital transformation in the built environment, HVAC is interfacing with building systems in new ways.
As a major player in decarbonization, new HVAC technologies will lead the way to a more sustainable future.
IAQ and decarbonization
HVAC is also at the center of concerns about indoor air quality (IAQ) that follow a worldwide pandemic.
“IAQ and decarbonization are the two most important trends in the built environment and will remain so for decades to come,” says David Budzinski, President, of Global Residential & Light Commercial at Johnson Controls.
electronic offerings
An integration tool called NODE-Red enables various IoT sensors to be configured virtually into the system
An example of electronic offerings at AHR was Delta Controls’ Red5 room controller which combines HVAC controls with Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities, enabling more devices to interoperate and communicate in a building system.
An integration tool called NODE-Red enables various IoT sensors to be configured virtually into the system. Also, the O3 sensor detects motion to assess the number of room occupants without using video (less intrusive); it also measures humidity, temperature, sound, light intensity, etc.
AIM Act
With Jan. 1, 2025, looming for compliance with the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act to phase out the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), there is still a lot of work to do.
A proposed rule prohibits the manufacture of equipment containing HFCs by Jan. 1, 2025.
Energy transition
“If all of our work together, whether manufacturers, contractors, or distributors, we can keep this conversation front and center and be ready for the transition,” says Brandon Marshall, Chemours’ North American Marketing Manager for Thermal & Specialized Solutions.
“If we work together, we can navigate the change, and training is a key piece of it.”
Best practices
Becoming better informed enables everyone to understand and get comfortable with the solutions"
Some new refrigerants are rated “mildly flammable.” Although this is a consideration, it should not be a major concern, says Marshall.
“Best practices can ensure you are managing the product safely, and becoming better informed enables everyone to understand and get comfortable with the solutions.”
awareness
Chemours conducts webinars, publishes documents, and makes updates available about the refrigerant transition. “We have to pay attention to the regulatory environment,” says Marshall. “Jan. 1, 2025, is coming fast.”
More awareness is needed as the industry works toward the deadline. Contractors should also beware of low-quality or counterfeit refrigerant products, says Marshall.
skilled labor shortage
The skilled labor shortage in HVAC and other trades was another theme at AHR 2023. The labor shortage increases the need for training. “If you want to grow your business 20 to 30%, you should grow your people that much both the number of people and the knowledge of staff,” says Dan Clapper, Market Director, Interplay Learning.
He adds that a company should devote up to 10% per week to training. Interplay Learning’s interactive, 3D simulation-based training platform is “as close to on-the-job training as you can get.” In effect, the simulations provide “before-the-job training.”
Training investments
Another training company, BDR (Business Development Resources), notes that their clients demonstrate 38% higher revenue per employee and 81% higher gross profit per employee. Revenue per service truck increases to $40,000 from the industry average of $12,000 after investments in training, says BDR, which provides in-person classes.
Another exhibitor, XOi Technologies offers a smartphone app that provides expertise to lesser-trained HVAC installers. Their slogan is “We’re your journeyman on every job.” Journeyman is the brand name of the helpful app.