The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration (AHR) Expo is one of the industry’s largest HVACR events, hosting thousands of industry professionals and more than 2,100 exhibiting companies each year. The expo will return to Atlanta for the first time since 2001, taking place at the Georgia World Congress Center from Jan. 14-16, 2019.

The upcoming expo will preview the future of the HVACR industry, with exhibitors from around the globe gathering to showcase new and upgraded products, technologies, and innovations. Exhibitors will display new solutions that serve every kind of HVACR function, ranging from highly efficient equipment and components to whole building management systems that connect via the IoT to time-saving tools and instruments.

“Each year, the industry comes together under one roof to display the very latest tools and technologies that enable HVACR professionals to keep up with the rapid pace of change in the industry,” said Clay Stevens, manager of the AHR Expo. “With thousands of attendees joining from all over the world, the expo provides a unique forum for the whole industry to share ideas, cultivate relationships, and experience firsthand all of the exciting advances being made in HVACR.”

 

MEETING FACE-TO-FACE

In fact, cultivating relationships with customers is one of the main reasons why manufacturers choose to exhibit at the expo year after year.

As Tom Hamilton, North American marketing manager for Tecumseh Products LLC, noted, the AHR Expo provides a great opportunity to strengthen relationships with current customers and contractors while forming new partnerships.

“We have been exhibiting at the AHR Expo for decades and look forward to the excitement generated by the new technologies and products that are advancing our industry,” he said. “We have launched many products at the expo and look forward to seeing what other companies have in mind for the future.”

One of the new products that Tecumseh (booth B1327) will be launching at this year’s show is the ARGUS™ air-cooled, low- and medium-temperature condensing unit platform, which is offered in ½- to 6-hp capacities. The units are designed for the walk-in cooler and freezer market and meet the U.S. Department of Energy’s new minimum efficiency requirements through the use of both reciprocating and scroll compressor technologies. The units use HFO-blended refrigerants to help reduce a building’s environmental footprint, while microchannel condenser coils reduce overall refrigerant charge.

AHR is an annual highlight for LG Air Conditioning Technologies, and this year is particularly special because it is taking place near the company’s Alpharetta headquarters in the city of Atlanta, said director of marketing, Lorie Quillin-Bell.

“LG has exhibited at the Expo for more than 15 years, and we always enjoy getting to connect with our key partners and customers, as well as getting the chance to build new relationships at our booth during the show and at our events throughout the week,” she said. “We look forward to meeting attendees that stop by booth C7209 to learn more about LG’s award-winning lineup at the show.”

Visitors can take a peek at LG’s newest products, which include commercial, light commercial, and residential HVAC solutions, and the company’s knowledgeable staff will be on hand to answer any questions attendees may have about their specific projects. The company also plans to offer a number of presentations to further educate attendees on the technology and the design flexibility of its systems.

Embraco has been attending the AHR Expo for several years. This year, at booth 7431, the company will highlight its wide portfolio of cooling solutions across several value chains, including household, commercial, medical and retail applications, and the aftermarket segments.

“As a global company that promotes quality of life through innovative cooling solutions, it is important for Embraco to be present at AHR Expo 2019 to lead North American industry and market trends in the refrigeration industry,” said John Prall, research and development engineer, Embraco. “AHR Expo is also a great opportunity for us to showcase our innovations and understand the needs and expectations of our customers.”

Daikin Industries Ltd. has been exhibiting at the expo nearly every year for over 12 years.

This event is the ideal venue to reach the breadth and diversity of the company’s full customer base, according to Marc Bellanger, marketing and communications director for Daikin North America LLC.

“As a global HVAC manufacturer with a broad portfolio of equipment, solutions, filters, and refrigerants, AHR Expo is the perfect venue for showcasing our extensive offerings and allowing visitors to engage with all our teams in a single destination,” he said.

At booth B3239, Daikin Industries will introduce several products.

The Daikin Fit™ smart HVAC system with matching condenser, controls, gas furnace, and evaporator coil is engineered with high-performing, quiet inverter compressors, and side discharge cabinet designs that are smaller, lighter, and quieter than traditional residential unitary outdoor. Requiring only 4 inches of clearance, the system is ideal for locations where installation space is limited. The Daikin Fit system can be paired with the new Daikin One™ thermostat and ecosystem, a distinctively designed, easy-to-use, state-of-the-art consumer electronics component that is also a professional HVAC system controller.

Also highlighted in the booth will be Daikin’s new OptiLine vertical stack fan coil, in sizes 300 through 1,200 cfm, whose small footprint makes it the ideal retrofit or new construction solution when livable space is at a premium. OptiLine’s variable-speed impeller fan and electronically commutated (EC) motor have been optimized to allow the fan to run at the lowest possible rpm, typically less than 60 percent capacity, making the system extremely quiet and able to provide better humidity control for improved IAQ and comfort.

 

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

In addition to checking out the latest products offered by exhibitors, attendees will have the opportunity to attend numerous seminars at the show. The comprehensive educational program features more than 120 sessions, including best practices and industry trend seminars from leading HVACR organizations, continuing education programs, and professional certification opportunities. Nearly 75 of those seminars will be free.

“The AHR Expo packs all the industry knowledge under one roof,” said Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr of Caleffi North America and a featured speaker at the 2019 AHR Expo. “This is the one big event that all in the HVAC industry need to attend. It’s the one place where you can see, meet, and touch all the latest cutting-edge technology, equipment, and training available today.”

Highlights of this year’s free seminar agenda are below.

 

General industrywide focus:

  • Low-Cost Leads are Hurting Your Business, presented by Women in HVACR;
  • Trends in the Global HVAC Market, presented by Building Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA) Ltd.; and
  • What it Takes to Get an Installed HVACR System to Operate at Equipment-Rated Capacity, presented by National Comfort Institute (NCI).

 

Contractor focus:

  • Virtual Reality Training for HVAC is Here, presented by the National Environmental Balancing Bureau (NEBB);
  • Variable Frequency Drives: Method of a Test and a Case Study, presented by Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI);
  • Psychrometrics Without Tears, presented by Green Mechanical Council;
  • Controls Strategies for Maximizing Condensing Boiler System Efficiency, presented by American Boiler Manufacturers Association (ABMA); and
  • Fan Sizing and Selection: Basics and Fine Points, presented by Air Movement and Control Association Intl. Inc. (AMCA).

 

Engineering focus:

  • Next Generation HVAC Controls: Open Hardware - Open Software, presented by AutomatedBuildings.com;
  • IoT and Air Quality: Embedding Smartness into IAQ, presented by the Indoor Air Quality Association; and
  • Providing Safety, Efficiency, and Value with Hydronic Snow Melting, presented by the Radiant Professionals Alliance (RPA).

 

In addition to free seminars and paid certification classes, attendees are encouraged to sit in on brief exhibitor presentations in the New Product and Technology Theater. Over 100 presentations are scheduled, each lasting approximately 20 minutes, that aim to give attendees an overview of new product announcements and technologies that they will see in the exhibitor booths. These sessions take place in special theaters right on the show floor, and there is no fee or registration required.

A complete list of 2019 AHR Expo educational opportunities can be found at ahrexpo.com/education. For registration and additional information, visit ahrexpo.com.

Publication date: 12/24/2018

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