The winners were selected in 10 product categories and represent the most innovative new products among the thousands to be displayed at the show. A panel of judges made up of American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) members evaluated the products submitted based on innovation, application, value to the user, and market impact.

The Innovation Awards are jointly sponsored by ASHRAE; the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI); and the International Exposition Co. (IEC), producers and organizers of the expo.

Well-known industry names shared honors with companies new to the competition. Emerson Climate Technologies captured three of the top 10 awards.

The winners of the 2012 AHR Expo Innovation Awards are:

Building Automation
Company: Geofinity Manufacturing Inc.
Product: ORB Heat Pump Controller

Cooling
Company: Emerson Climate Technologies
Product: Copeland Scroll Variable Speed Compressor

Green Building
Company: ClimaCool Corp.
Product: SHC onDEMAND™ Simultaneous Heating and Cooling Heat Pump System

Heating
Company: Enerconcept Technologies Inc.
Product: The Lubi Wall Wall-mounted Solar Air Heater

Indoor Air Quality
Company: E+E Elektronik Ges. m.b.H.
Product: EE245 Wireless Transmitter

Plumbing
Company: Rheem Manufacturing Co.
Product: The Rheem XR90 Extreme Recovery Gas Water Heater

Refrigeration
Company: Emerson Climate Technologies
Product: Copeland Scroll K5 Refrigeration Compressor

Software
Company: Emerson Climate Technologies
Product: Emerson Climate Technologies HVACR Mobile Toolbox For Contractors

Tools & Instruments
Company: Fluke Corp.
Product: Fluke TiR1 Thermal Imager

Ventilation
Company: Melink Corp.
Product: Intelli-Hood Kitchen Ventilation Control

At the show, one of the 10 category winners will also be selected as the winner of the 2012 AHR Expo Product of the Year Award.

“We are honored to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Innovation Awards because it is so meaningful to the HVACR industry,” said Clay Stevens, president of International Exposition Co. “It encourages innovation, recognizes excellence, and enables us to help charitable organizations.” The nearly $12,000 collected in entry fees will be donated to a charitable organization in the Chicago area.

For more information on the AHR Expo Innovation Awards, visit www.ahrexpo.com.

Publication date: 11/14/2011