trig-ger industry growth through experiences geared to inspire future members of the HVACR community. Funds collected from the entry fees are donated to programming at the student level, including field trips to the show, curated introductions to professionals and manufacturers, equipment for hands-on learning in school laboratories, and mone-tary donations to student programs in the hosting city. We invite you to learn more about workforce development on ahrexpo. com and encourage you to get involved.
Winners for the 2026 AHR Expo Innovations Awards include:
BUILDING AUTOMATION Winner: Honeywell Innovation: Honeywell Connected Solutions AHR Booth: C1840 Honeywell’ s Connected Solutions suite empowers building owners and service providers with cloud-based tools for remote monitoring, predictive maintenance, energy optimiza-tion, and asset lifecycle management. These applications streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance sustainability, all through a unified, intuitive platform that trans-forms traditional building management into a connected, data-driven experience.
HEATING Winner: Copeland Innovation: Copeland heating-optimized modulating vapor injection portfolio AHR Booth: C3607 The Copeland heating-optimized modulating vapor injection portfolio combines innova-tive two- stage, tandem and variable-speed compression platforms with enhanced vapor injection( EVI) technologies to deliver maximum flexibility, scalability and performance in achieving the capacity and efficiency requirements of nextgeneration commercial heat pumps for hot air and waterapplications. Finalists include: Danfoss, PSG Heating Scroll Compressor; and Trane
Trane 17 Multi-Speed Heat Pump with WeatherGuard
INDOOR AIR QUALITY Winner: Sharp Corporation Innovation: Airest AHR Booth: SL1919 Airest is the world’ s first mini-split heat pump with built-in MERV 14 certified filters. It captures over 99.9 % of dust before it enters the unit. With an airflow reach of 43 feet, Airest cools, heats, and purifies the air simultaneously, all made possible by its uniquely engineered internal structure.
SOFTWARE Winner: Rebar Innovation: Rebar AHR Booth: SL2331 Rebar is the first AI-powered takeoff platform built for HVAC. It reads construction plans, identifies mechanical pages, marks equipment, and generates accurate takeoffs in minutes— cutting hours of manual work. Purpose-built by industry experts, Rebar helps reps move faster, win more jobs, and streamline the entire sales process.
TOOLS & INSTRUMENTS Winner: CSG Compressors( Houston & American Hermetics)
Innovation: SAMMi AHR Booth: SL3122 SAMMi is an AI-powered HVAC monitoring and dispatch system that detects issues be-fore they cause breakdowns. It autonomously alerts and dispatches technicians, saving time, money, and product loss. Easy to install and scalable, SAMMi turns reactive maintenance into smart, seamless prevention.
At the show in February, one overall 2026 Product of the Year winner will be announced. This prestigious honor, selected from the 10 category winners, is awarded based on exceptional leadership in HVACR innovation.
“ As the industry continues to face workforce challenges alongside rising equipment demand, ever-changing regulations and the need for more innovative solutions, the AHR Expo Innovation Awards will continue to play a critical role in showcasing the pulse of industry advancement,” said Kim Pires, AHR Expo.“ Participation in the Awards- and the distinction of being awarded a win – is a key indicator to the wider industry that your company is leading the way for the future of HVACR.”
For more information about the awards, AHR Expo, and to register for free, visit ahrex-po. com.
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