WESTPORT, Conn. — The International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Expo (AHR Expo) announced its call for entries for the 2016 AHR Expo Innovation Awards. The awards will be presented at a formal ceremony during the show, set for Jan. 25-27 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.

The annual awards competition honors the most inventive and original products, systems and technologies showcased at each year’s AHR Expo in the categories of: building automation; cooling; green building; heating; indoor air quality; plumbing; refrigeration; software; tools and instruments; and ventilation.

In addition, a single Product of the Year winner is selected from among the individual category winners, recognizing an exceptional level of leadership in HVACR industry innovation.

“With so much focus on performance and energy efficiency in today’s competitive HVACR landscape, it is important to recognize the companies whose products are pioneering advanced solutions,” said Clay Stevens, president of International Exposition Co. “We look at this year’s entries for products that show exceptional creativity, efficiency, and utility. It’s a good chance to publicly recognize these companies for the great work that they do to positively impact the future of the industry.”

Historically, the AHR Expo Innovation Awards has highlighted the HVACR industry’s efforts to match evolved solutions to its dynamic needs. It has highlighted the products, systems, and technologies that are setting elevated standards for the efficient and responsible use of resources, while ensuring the comfort and health of building occupants.

“Over the years, the visible trends and themes across award winners have shifted; however, the innovative spirit has remained constant,” Stevens said. “What once was hard-wired is now wireless, and what used to turn on with a switch is now automated. We have seen solutions for markets that were previously inconceivable — from robust chillers designed to meet the cooling requirements of ever-expanding data centers, to software programs with the power to determine homeowners’ heating, cooling, and ventilation preferences long before they pull into their driveways. Each year is no less fascinating than the last in this respect, and we very much look forward to seeing what will earn merit in the 2016 Innovation Awards.”

All 2016 AHR Expo exhibitors are eligible to enter the Innovation Awards, and may submit one product in each category (as long as that product has not previously won an award). Only products that will be exhibited at the show, and are available for sale by the end of January 2016, will be eligible. Completed entry forms and a $100 entry fee must be submitted online at www.ahrexpo.com by Oct. 2, 2015.

A panel of third-party ASHRAE member judges will evaluate each entry based on its innovative design, creativity, application, value, and market impact.

For more information, visit www.ahrexpo.com. Questions about Innovation Awards submissions can also be emailed to expoawards@ashrae.org.

Publication date: 9/25/2015

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