“The show is the perfect opportunity to reconnect with the industry and discover what you’ve been missing while immersed in your daily demands,” said Nicole Bush, marketing director for the AHR Expo. “The reality is we, in our fast-paced world — we’re busy running businesses, managing workloads, and designing the next innovation, leaving little time to catch up on emerging trends. Carving out time to refresh and educate yourself on what’s new can be the difference in remaining stagnant or growing in your career.” 

The theme of the 2026 expo could be summarized as how the drive toward efficiency and smarter systems continues to drive innovation, Bush said. 

“We see this with advancements in AI, smart controls, equipment design, communication technologies, etc., that are reshaping how we deliver reliability, comfort, and safety to customers,” she said. “Along with this trend, there are real considerations for how society supports and powers these emerging technologies.” 

The expo will offer educational sessions, experts’ discussions on topics from AI to refrigerant policy to tariffs, more than three dozen podcasts, new product unveilings, and plenty of chances to rub elbows with others in the industry. 

“Programming continues to grow, with more educational opportunities to connect ... with professionals across all sectors of the industry,” Bush said. “We are excited to see more podcasts expanding into booth spaces hosted by media and exhibitors, as well as more dedicated events on the show floor. This momentum highlights the industry’s excitement for innovation.” 

 

An Exhibits Sample 

The expo will also feature exhibits from HVACR companies of all sizes and specialties. 

Trane Technologies will introduce its new digital smart building hub, Cloud Building Management System, or CloudBMS, said Kristie Upton, the company’s marketing leader for contractors and engineers. The new system will demonstrate how cutting-edge equipment, advanced automation, AI, and digital tools work together to create smarter, more efficient, future-ready buildings, Upton said. 

“These innovations directly address major trends: decarbonization, electrification of heat, building electrification, and smarter, data-driven facility management,” she said.  

Trane will also be showing off its latest residential heat pump, Upton said. 

The Trane booth will also be a resource for technical support, training opportunities, and a site for hands-on demonstrations. 

“The booth will serve as a hub for building relationships and expertise,” Upton said. “Industry professionals can network with Trane experts who provide guidance on system selection, design strategies, and project implementation.” 

General Filters Inc., a Michigan company that manufactures air cleaners, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and air purifiers, will offer updates on enhancements to its existing products as well as a “sneak peek” at its innovations in air-cleansing, UV lights, humidification, and dehumidification, said Eric Miller, the company’s director of sales and marketing. 

“As a legacy, family-owned HVAC manufacturer with over 89 years of experience, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the vast history of innovation and excellence from General,” Miller said. 

General Filters’ theme for the 2026 expo, Miller said, could be described as “win-win partnerships” with its customers, from wholesalers to homeowners. 

At the Bosch Home Comfort booth, visitors can examine York and Hitachi equipment as well as Bosch products, as Bosch acquired those brands with the purchase of the Johnson Controls residential and light commercial HVAC business, which was completed last summer. 

“AHR Expo 2026 is our first big industry event since the acquisition,” said David Budzinski, deputy CEO of Bosch Home Comfort Group and president of its Americas division. “We are redefining comfort, uniting each brand’s excellence in innovation, efficiency, and reliability into a single experience.” 

Bosch will be introducing the York Sun Choice dual-fuel rooftop unit, which combines a heat pump with either a gas or propane furnace for backup heat. The Sun Choice is designed for year-round comfort in light commercial applications in cold climates, and has direct-drive plenum fans and a smart internal control that switches to the most optimal heating source, either the heat pump or the furnace, based on outdoor conditions, Budzinski said. 

Visitors will also be able to see the Bosch Inverter Ducted Split Edge heat pump, which Budzinski described as a compact addition to Bosch’s Inverter Ducted Split line of heat pumps. 

“Built on inverter and VRF-based (variable-refrigerant flow) technology, the Inverter Ducted Split Edge is a compact, flexible, and efficient solution for both residential single-zone and multi-zone applications and will be available in both standard and high-performance versions,” Budzinski said. 

Visitors to the Bosch booth will get to see “the future of comfort,” Budzinski said. 

“By bringing together the Bosch, York, and Hitachi brands, we’re merging the most important factors professionals need to be successful in today’s HVAC industry — including intelligence, reliability and electrification — into one seamless experience,” he said. 

 

Panel Series 

Bush said the expo’s Panel Series will offer discussions among experts on the industry’s hottest topics, including: 

• Refrigerant policy: The talk “State of Play: Refrigerant Policy in the U.S. — Federal and State Activity” is scheduled for 10-11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 2. 

• Tariffs and incentives: “2026 State of the Industry: Today’s Market, Challenges, Opportunities & What’s Ahead” is scheduled for 10-11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3. Bush said the discussion will be a general overview of where the industry stands now, including tariffs and incentives. 

• Data centers: The discussion “Data Center Demands: Cooling Solutions, BMS Advancement and the Next Generation of HVAC” is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3. 

• Artificial intelligence: “The Great Disconnect: Are We Ready for Buildings That Think for Themselves?” is scheduled for 1-2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3. 

• Refrigerant shortages: “The Installer’s Guide to Navigating the Refrigerant Rollercoaster” is set for 4-5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3. 

All of the above sessions are scheduled to take place in the convention center’s Room S222.