Contractormag 3767 2014ahrexpo
Contractormag 3767 2014ahrexpo
Contractormag 3767 2014ahrexpo
Contractormag 3767 2014ahrexpo
Contractormag 3767 2014ahrexpo

'Start spreading the news:' AHR Expo 2014 in NYC is a ‘top of the list’ show

Jan. 24, 2014
Ever since leaving New York City yesterday, Mr. Frank Sinatra’s New York, New York song has been on repeat in my head. This being my first NYC AHR Expo, I can’t help but think that this was the biggest and best AHR Expo that I have been to. I haven’t seen final attendee numbers yet, but I’m betting that the snow and frigid weather didn’t keep people away from attending the show.
More than 1,900 exhibitors from 30 countries displayed thousands of the latest products for hydronics and HVACR applications.

Ever since leaving New York City yesterday, Mr. Frank Sinatra’s New York, New York song has been on repeat in my head. This being my first NYC AHR Expo, I can’t help but think that this was the biggest and best AHR Expo that I have been to.

I haven’t seen final attendee numbers yet, but I’m betting that the snow and frigid weather didn’t keep people away from attending the show (side note: even though I have to say it was very challenging getting a cab Tuesday because of the weather) and seeing the newest and most cutting-edge products on the market for the hydronics and HVAC contractor!

Some highlights of the show:

Grundfos launched Ecademy, its online training platform for professionals in the pump industry. This is a proven concept: Grundfos Ecademy was launched in 2006 in Europe, where it now boasts 30,000 members and approximately 10% of the continent’s installers.

According to Dennis Wierzbicki, president of Grundfos USA, “Ecademy allows us to get closer to our customers by providing training across our markets which, in turn, supports our growth objectives. We are positioned to reach potential students through a combination of learning from the successful European roadmap, excellent North American training content, a comprehensive marketing and promotion plan, and strong administration.”

Bradford White showcased its Commander Series water heaters. These water heaters have 82% thermal efficiency, an overall shorter design that allows installation where existing venting restricts water heater height, and the smallest footprint of all ultra low NOx commercial gas models in its class, and many other features.

Watts demoed the Triton pipe fusion system at its booth. The Triton is a pipe welding system that applies radio frequency electromagnetic technology, a trusted method of welding used in industrial applications, to pipe joining. This lightweight and portable systems is designed for projects using flexible plastic piping.

Victaulic showcased its Tour & Andersson (TA) Series TCP Pressure Independent Balancing and Control Valve (PIBCV). For the first time when commissioning and balancing a building, mechanical contractors will be able to take direct flow measurements, which allows for on-the-spot diagnostics and problem solving with this independent balancing and control valve.

“We want contractors and specifiers to have the utmost confidence in knowing that they can have 100 percent comfort without sacrificing energy efficiency,” said Scott Sargent, product manager at Victaulic. “The TA Series TCP PIBCV fulfills this need by optimizing energy efficiency through proper flow control.”

Another highlight of the show was the Mechanical Town Hall. A shout out goes to Mr. John Mesenbrink, the moderator of the Mechanical Town Hall and editor at large of CONTRACTOR, and all the panelists that make the Town Hall what it is: Dave Yates, John Barba, Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr, Eric Aune, and Brian Nelson. Thank you all for participating in this event!

These are just a few of the reasons why the weather didn’t keep people from the show and hospitality events! And why should it? New York is a city that never sleeps, as said best by Ol' Blue Eyes.

Stay tuned for post-show coverage of more products online and in print!

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