AHR Expo

AHRI co-sponsored and exhibited at the 2023 AHR Expo, from February 6-8 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia. The AHR Expo is the world’s largest HVACR marketplace event and hosted more than 1,800 exhibitors displaying the latest technology across nearly 490,000 square feet of exhibit space. Show officials estimate that between 30,000 and 35,000 people will have perused the aisles of the Georgia World Congress Center during the course of the show. 

In addition to its booth showcasing AHRI’s global standards and certification programs, AHRI staff organized or participated in several very well-attended panel sessions covering topics such as indoor air quality, thermal energy storage, communication across the supply chain, and tax incentives available through the federal Inflation Reduction Act. See details below:

Status Update on Refrigerant Classification, Specification, and Recovery Standards

This presentation reviewed specific ASHRAE and AHRI refrigerant standards and their roles in enabling refrigerant transitions and equipment reliability. Proposed and completed changes to these standards were discussed, with a review of how they complement each other and address industry needs. See presentation here.

Improving Indoor Air Quality in Commercial Spaces: Best Practices and Financial Resources

Indoor air quality continues to be top-of-mind as the nation emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic and returns to offices and other commercial spaces. This panel discussion explained the demonstrated best practices and financial resources that can be accessed to help make these spaces as healthful and safe as possible. See presentation here.

What’s in it for Me? A Closer Look at Inflation Reduction Act Incentives

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is a landmark tax, climate, and health care law that includes energy efficiency tax incentives and clean energy rebate programs, as well as grants and incentives for contractors. This panel discussion educated the entire distribution chain on the incentives to consumers and contractors available under the new law. See presentation here.

Innovations in Thermal Energy Storage

During this session, the audience learned about the latest innovations in thermal energy storage and why is it important, especially with the new investment tax credit included in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. The presentation covered what types of products are commercialized (i.e., rooftop packaged units, chillers, campus-wide tanks), the economic and carbon-reduction benefits to end-users, as well as the benefits to the grid. See presentation here.

The Regulatory Report: 2022 Changes and What You Need to Know in 2023

The Climate Alliance states and the Biden Administration’s fast-paced regulatory agenda are prioritizing issues critical to the AHRI members. Policies related to decarbonization, energy efficiency, chemicals in equipment components, and implementing the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act were highlighted in this discussion. This session also touched on the 2023 change in energy efficiency standards for residential air conditioning. See presentation here.