Ten category winners selected from hundreds of submissions; Product of the Year to be announced at February 2026 Las Vegas show
The AHR Expo today announced the winners of the 2026 AHR Expo Innovation Awards, recognizing ten groundbreaking HVACR products and technologies that exemplify creativity, efficiency, and real-world impact across categories ranging from refrigerant-free cooling systems to AI-powered software and advanced heat pump technology.
“The achievement of an Innovation Award winner is a meaningful distinction in HVACR,” said Show Manager Mark Stevens. “We’re proud to showcase the commitment and recognize the hard work of these manufacturers and their collective teams who are putting in the work to bring new and inventive solutions to market.”
The annual awards, co-sponsored by AHR Expo, ASHRAE, and AHRI, received hundreds of submissions from manufacturers presenting breakthrough designs and improvements that are shaping the industry’s future, with winners selected by a panel of third-party ASHRAE member judges evaluating innovation, creativity, application, value, and market impact.
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Category Winners Span Industry Innovation
Sustainable Solutions – Blue Frontier Blue Frontier’s revolutionary cooling and dehumidification technology represents an evolution away from traditional refrigerants and vapor compression cycles, achieving 300% greater efficiency than current technologies while incorporating a dispatchable thermal storage battery. The system can independently control dry bulb and dew point temperatures, providing superior comfort while becoming more efficient as outdoor temperatures rise.
Heating – Daikin Applied Americas Inc. The Copeland heating-optimized modulating vapor injection portfolio combines innovative two-stage, tandem, and variable-speed compression platforms with enhanced vapor injection (EVI) technologies, delivering flexibility, scalability, and performance for next-generation commercial heat pumps in hot air and water applications.
Indoor Air Quality – Midea America Corp. Airest is the world’s first mini-split heat pump with built-in MERV 14 certified filters, capturing over 99.9% of dust before it enters the unit. With an airflow reach of 43 feet, Airest simultaneously cools, heats, and purifies air through its uniquely engineered internal structure.
Software – Rebar Rebar is the first AI-powered takeoff platform built specifically for HVAC, reading construction plans, identifying mechanical pages, marking equipment, and generating accurate takeoffs in minutes—cutting hours of manual work. Built by industry experts, Rebar helps representatives move faster, win more jobs, and streamline the entire sales process.
Tools & Instruments – Phyn LLC LeakStop III is a fully automated water leak detection system for homes and small commercial buildings, alarming upon leak detection and automatically shutting down when water flow is continuous and exceeds preset programmable maximum values.
Ventilation – ABB Inc. The ACH580 drive enables seamless control of up to six EC Titanium motors, optimizing energy efficiency, reducing installation complexity, and lowering total cost of ownership through intelligent fan array solutions for advanced HVAC applications.
Additional category winners include representatives in Building Automation, Cooling, Plumbing, and Refrigeration, with complete details available on the AHR Expo Innovation Awards website.
Product of the Year to Be Announced in Las Vegas
At the February 2026 AHR Expo in Las Vegas, one overall Product of the Year winner will be announced from the ten category winners—a prestigious honor awarded for 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.
Supporting Workforce Development
An exciting benefit of flourishing innovation driving Innovation Awards entries is strengthening the industry through funding for the AHR Expo Workforce Development program, now celebrating its fourth year in Vegas.
The program aims to trigger industry growth through experiences inspiring future HVACR community members, with funds collected from entry fees donated to student-level programming including:
- Field trips to the AHR Expo
- Curated introductions to professionals and manufacturers
- Equipment for hands-on learning in school laboratories
- Monetary donations to student programs in hosting cities