March 6, 2025 AHRI to Discuss AHRI Certification Recognition with Central American GovernmentsDuring the week of March 10, AHRI Senior Director of Global Services Michael LaGiglia will travel to Central America to discuss with government officials the benefits of recognizing AHRI Certified equipment as a path of compliance to local minimum energy performance standards (MEPS). Six Central American countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panamá) have a shared technical regulation for mini-split single speed and inverter air conditioning equipment that references AHRI 210/240 (I-P): Performance Rating of Unitary Air Conditioning and Air Source Heat Pump Equipment. Referencing the AHRI standard is a solid foundation for recognition of AHRI Certified® products as compliant to MEPS, but each country has the ability to set its own compliance requirements and some do not recognize AHRI Certified® equipment. This forces manufacturers to either comply with a competing certification or test report or choose not to sell its equipment in the country. AHRI members or certification participants interested in these markets may contact Michael LaGiglia for further discussion about how to encourage the remaining countries to accept AHRI certification as compliant to local MEPS. Contact: Michael LaGiglia. AHRI Signs MOU with ANCE to Explore Mexico Testing LabDuring the AHR Expo in Orlando Florida, on February 10, AHRI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Asociación de Normalización y Certificación (ANCE), a Mexico-based testing and certification services company. The MOU provides a path for ANCE to make any necessary technical adjustments to its testing facilities to be considered for AHRI testing laboratory qualification. The scope of the MOU is for equipment in the Unitary Air Conditioner Equipment (includes mixed-matched coils) (USAC) and Unitary Heat Pump Equipment (includes mixed-matched coils) (USHP) certification programs. In a later phase, the scope could be expanded to explore testing in Mexico for the Unitary Large Equipment (ULE) certification program. The MOU includes AHRI audits of ANCE’s lab in Apodaca, Mexico, and a correlation plan that includes round robin testing. Another important facet of the evaluation process is to perform an estimation for the testing demand of unitary equipment in Mexico, in addition to current testing in the U.S. and China. AHRI is very pleased to collaborate with ANCE and to see the commitment from AHRI members to elevate the credibility of industry ratings in Mexico and Latin America through testing and certification. Once the steps of the MOU are successfully completed, ANCE will have the opportunity to submit an application to AHRI for approval as a testing laboratory. Caption: L-R Abel Hernandez, ANCE Director General, Bill Tritsis, AHRI Senior Vice President of Standards and Certification. Contact: Michael LaGiglia. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Funds Energy Efficiency Efforts in MexicoLawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) is leading an initiative to assess opportunities for advancing energy-efficient cooling technologies in Mexico, with a focus on mini-split air conditioners. The project seeks “collaboration with manufacturers interested in exploring supply chain relocalization opportunities, and will analyze the current supply chain, evaluate costs and impacts of efficiency improvements, and develop recommendations for potential standards harmonization and mechanisms to support supply chain resilience and diversification.” Manufacturers interested in participating in this assessment should contact LBNL staff person Virginie Letschert. Contact: Michael LaGiglia. AHRI LATAM Staff Attends HARDI Mexico Conference On October 22-23, AHRI LATAM Managing Director Luis Vazquez and Regional Manager Mario Maldonado attended HARDI LATAM’s Annual Conference in Mexico City. The event invites contractors, distributors, and original equipment manufacturers to collaborate on industry topics such as artificial intelligence, cost analysis technology, and navigating the U.S. market. During the conference, Vazquez and Maldonado had the opportunity to meet with representatives from several companies to discuss the benefits of AHRI certification. Contact: Mario Maldonado.
AHRI LATAM Attends UL Solutions SummitOn October 15, AHRI LATAM Regional Manager Mario Maldonado attended the UL Solutions Global Market Access Summit in Mexico City. The event gathered industry stakeholders, association representatives, and UL clients to share recent experiences and current needs as they navigate the global market. Among discussed topics were regulatory compliance, market access, and UL Solutions’ new Global Compliance Management software. Contact: Mario Maldonado. AHRI Visits ANCE Testing Laboratory On September 24, AHRI Senior Vice President of Global Services Henry Hwong led a team to visit and evaluate the testing capabilities of ANCE Laboratories, located in Apodaca, Mexico, outside of Monterrey. During the visit, ANCE briefed the AHRI team on the facility’s HVAC testing capabilities and led a tour. Following the tour, AHRI and ANCE staff discussed several items related to testing and member certification. Both organizations agreed to continue to discuss areas of mutual interest and cooperation to better serve AHRI members in the region. Contact: Henry Hwong.
AHRI LATAM Attends Expo Acaire in Columbia This week, staff from the AHRI LATAM office attended the Expo Acaire in Bogota, Columbia, of which AHRI served as a co-sponsor. During the expo, Regional Manager Mario Maldonado led a presentation on the value of AHRI certification for the industry, contractors, and equipment owners.
The expo is designed to bring manufacturers and suppliers together with engineers, technicians, and other industry representatives to showcase and discuss the future of the HVACR industry. In total, there were more than 80 exhibitors across several industry sectors. Contact: Mario Maldonado. AHRI LATAM to Sponsor, Participate in ACAIRE ExpoAHRI LATAM is proud to announce its plans to co-sponsor the ACAIRE Expo, to be held September 23-27 in Bogota, Columbia. In addition, AHRI LATAM Regional Manager Mario Maldonado will lead an educational session during the event on the benefits of AHRI certification. More information about the expo, including registration information, is available here. Contact: Michael LaGiglia. AHRI LATAM Staff Attends Trade Event at U.S. Embassy
On August 6, staff from AHRI’s LATAM office attended a conference hosted at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City titled, “Trade Policy and Practice: US-Mexico and Election Implications.” During the conference, business owners and industry stakeholders heard from a Department of Commerce representative and economist Dr. Luis Tellez about best practices for exporting products to the U.S. and navigating the political implications of November’s elections. Contact: Mario Maldonado. AHRI LATAM Staff Participates in CONUEE Working Group In late July, AHRI LATAM Regional Manager Mario Maldonado represented AHRI during a Commission for Efficient Energy Use (CONUEE) working group meeting. The group discussed revisions to NOM-011, which will reference a guideline and test methodology from AHRI 210/240 (I-P): Performance Rating of Unitary Air-Conditioning and Air-Source Heat Pump Equipment. The working group has provided feedback to have the standard published in early 2025. Contact: Mario Maldonado.
AHRI to Participate in CONUEE Standards Working GroupOn July 10, Mexico’s Ministry of Economy announced, in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF), its plans to develop a draft standard, calling for the development of minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for unitary type air conditioners. The standard is an addendum to Mexico’s 2024 National Quality Infrastructure Program, which was first published January 30. The announcement is available in Spanish on page 39 of this document. Mexico’s Comisión Nacional para el Uso Eficiente de la Energía (CONUEE) will establish a working group (WG) for Commercial Rooftop Equipment, with a scope covering, “self-contained unit-pack type air conditioners with rated cooling capacities of 19,050 W (65,000 Btu/h) and up to 70,340 W (240,000 Btu/h), reversible cycle or non-reversible cycle, (heat pump & cooling only) air-cooled, electrically operated, operating by mechanical compression, which includes a single-speed compressor (fixed capacity) or a variable frequency and/or refrigerant flow compressor (proportionally controlled capacity) or a compressor of staged velocities (staged capacity) and an air-cooled condenser coil.” AHRI will participate in the CONUEE standards WG, and will advocate for reference to AHRI Standard 340/360 (I-P), Performance Rating of Commercial and Industrial Unitary Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Equipment for limits, test methods, and labeling. The WG is scheduled to conduct its development work between August and December. Contact: Mario Maldonado. AHRI LATAM Staff to Participate in Climatization Forum During AC TechWeek
On July 17, AHRI LATAM Regional Manager Mario Maldonado will appear on a panel titled, “Forum on Climatization,” during the Mexican Association of Construction Installation Companies (AC)’s TechWeek event. Maldonado will be speaking with four other experts, including a representative from the U.S. Department of Commerce, to discuss the current status of the industry in Mexico and how it relates to commercial sales abroad. They plan to cover several topics, including the refrigerant transition, Mexico’s role in the North American, European, and Asian markets, and how the country’s manufacturers should prepare for the future.TechWeek is free to attend, and will take place July 17-18 at the Courtyard by Mariott Mexico City Revolucion. Registration is available online here until July 16. Contact: Mario Maldonado. AHRI Staff Members Participate in CONUEE NOM-011 Working Group MeetingDuring the week of June 17, AHRI Senior Director of International Affairs Michael LaGiglia and AHRI LATAM Regional Manager Mario Maldonado participated in the fifth CONUEE working group (WG) meeting as part of revisions to Mexican NOM-011, which establishes the minimum energy performance standard (MEPS) for central, package, or split air conditioners. During the most recent WG meeting, members discussed the current MEPS levels, testing, and labeling, with AHRI presenting AHRI Standard 210/240 (I-P), Performance Rating of Unitary Air-Conditioning and Air-Source Heat Pump Equipment as a reference for testing methods and minimum efficiency levels. AHRI has been involved in the revisions process since 2022, when it organized a member task force to assist in the harmonization efforts. Contact: Mario Maldonado. AHRI LATAM Presents Webinar on Energy Efficiency in Mexican State BuildingsOn June 6, AHRI LATAM Regional Manager Mario Maldonado, participated in a webinar hosted by Conuee Mexico, the country’s National Commission for the Efficient Use of Energy. In addition to AHRI, the webinar featured representatives from various government agencies, bringing them together to discuss different options to address environmental concerns, reduce energy consumption, and meet international commitments. Maldonado presented AHRI’s role in promoting both energy efficiency and sustainability through its standards and certification programs. Contact: Mario Maldonado. AHRI LATAM Participates in CIARMX24 ExpoOn June 5, AHRI LATAM Regional Director Mario Maldonado participated in a round table discussion titled, “Energy Efficiency in Refrigeration Facilities,” during the CIARMX24 Expo in México City. The goal of the discussion is to share the importance of energy efficiency in refrigeration facilities, which can be pursued through AHRI’s standards, certification programs and regulatory tools. Maldonado was invited to be part of the discussion by the Federation of Ibero-American Associations Air Conditioning and Refrigeration. Contact: Mario Maldonado. AHRI Staff Attends Midea Distributors Meeting From May 27-29, AHRI Senior Vice President of Global Affairs Henry Hwong and AHRI LATAM Regional Director Mario Maldonado attended the Midea Distributors Meeting in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. During the meeting, Maldonado gave a presentation outlining HVAC industry trends, recent regulations, and the importance of AHRI’s standards and certification programs. Contact: Mario Maldonado. AHRI LATAM, ANCE Discuss Laboratory Accreditation ProcessOn May 3, AHRI LATAM staff and AHRI International Director Michael LaGiglia met with ANCE to discuss the approval process for that organization to begin AHRI product performance certification testing. ANCE is a Mexican nonprofit organization that was established in 1992 to provide product certification services for consumer and commercial products. With extensive experience in testing large equipment, ANCE has expressed interest in working with AHRI since the opening of the office in Mexico City. During the meeting, AHRI and ANCE discussed the laboratory accreditation process and the importance of continued meetings to determine the next steps. Contact: Mario Maldonado AHRI LATAM Sponsors, Participates in Expo FrioCalor
The AHRI Latin America office was proud to co-sponsor and participate in the Expo FrioCalor, held May 7-9 in Santiago, Chile. In addition to exhibiting during the expo, AHRI LATAM Regional Director Mario Maldonado led an educational session about AHRI's certification programs and regulatory tracking resources. The expo serves as an important opportunity for regional networking among manufacturers, business leaders, and HVACR professionals. This year’s event welcomed more than 100 exhibitors and 6,000 participants. Contact: Mario Maldonado AHRI LATAM to Participate in REFRICON Congress in Costa Rica AHRI LATAM Regional Manager Mario Maldonado will give a technical presentation May 11 during this year’s REFRICON Congress in San Jose, Costa Rica. This will be the eighth edition of the REFRICON congress, and is being organized by Refrimundo. The meeting will focus on regulations, recent trends, new technologies, and efficiency within the refrigeration and air conditioning industry, bringing together experts to discuss topics of interest in the local and regional markets. Contact: Mario Maldonado
AHRI LATAM to Co-Sponsor, Participate in International Expo EventThe AHRI Latin America office is proud to announce plans to co-sponsor and participate in the Expo FrioCalor, to be held May 7-9 in Santiago, Chile. During the expo, Mario Maldonado, AHRI LATAM Regional Manager, will lead an education session focused on the importance of AHRI’s certification programs and other regulatory tracking resources. More information on the expo, and the link to free registration, is available here. In addition to employees of HVACR companies, representatives from the food, livestock, and construction industries, as well as students and HVACR technicians, are encouraged to attend. Contact: Mario Maldonado AHRI LATAM Participates in ASHRAE Mexico City Board of Governors Meeting
On February 28, AHRI LATAM Managing Director Luis Vázquez Gómez participated in the ASHRAE Mexico City Chapter Board of Governors meeting. The Board, of which Vázquez Gómez is a member, discussed several topics of interest, including promotion of AHRI standards and product certification and the ongoing efforts to harmonize AHRI and NOM Standards. Contact: Mario Maldonado.
Mexico Publishes Updated National Standard Following AHRI AdvocacyEarlier this year, three revised national standards were published in Mexico’s Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF). Among them is NON-011-ENER, which establishes energy efficiency standards for central, packaging, or split air-conditioners. AHRI LATAM staff and members were heavily involved in revising that standard. In 2022, AHRI established a working group made up of a members and AHRI LATAM staff to assist CONUEE, the Mexican energy efficiency regulator, with the harmonization efforts. The recently published revision is based on AHRI Standard 210/240, Performance Rating of Unitary Air Conditioning & Air-Source Heat Pump Equipment, meaning equipment that meets the AHRI standard does not need to undergo additional testing to meet Mexican energy efficiency standards. The full program of recent standards updates is available here. Contact: Mario Maldonado. AHRI LATAM Participates in National Fire Protection Association Meeting
On February 13, AHRI LATAM Director Luis Vazquez Gomez participated in a meeting with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). AHRI LATAM spoke on the challenges of balancing regulations, in terms of security and energy efficiency consumption, with the growing demands of the industrial and commercial market in Mexico. The President and CEO of the NFPA, James Pauley, was present for the discussion. Contact: Mario Maldonado. | 
