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The Big Show is Back - AHR Expo Returns to Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS, NV — The last Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Expo was held in early February, 2020, in Orlando, FL, just as the coronavirus was beginning to make its impact felt. The 2020 Show welcomed over 50,000 attendees, and more than 1,900 exhibiting companies (577 international and 295 first time exhibitors).
By 2021, the pandemic was in full effect, and the event co-sponsors, ASHRAE and AHRI, were forced to cancel. “The Board of Directors has carefully considered what course of action would be best for ASHRAE members, the committees that conduct the Society’s business, the industry we serve and the AHR Expo,” said 2020-21 ASHRAE President Charles E. Gulledge III, P.E. in announcing the cancellation. “The pandemic has affected everyone, requiring that we adapt to existing conditions in our personal and professional endeavors and our decision to cancel the 2021 AHR Expo is a reflection of necessary adjustments.”
But the big show is back on for 2022, January 31st through February 2nd at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Extensive planning was conducted by sponsors and show management with the health and safety of attendees the top concern.
“We want exhibitors and attendees of the 2022 AHR Expo to be assured that safety is a top priority as we return to our first in-person show since 2020,” said Jeff Littleton, ASHRAE Executive Vice President. “While we are aware of the concerns regarding the evolving state of the COVID-19 pandemic, AHR Expo Show Management, AHRI and ASHRAE are committed to taking every precaution possible to provide a safe, inclusive, and welcoming atmosphere, in full compliance with all public health guidelines. We are thrilled to welcome everyone back to this industry-leading event, where ideas and emerging HVACR technologies will be shared.”
COVID Precautions
As of this writing, the show is still more than a month out. Based on current rules and regulations set forth by the state of Nevada, Clark County, the city of Las Vegas and the Convention Center:
· Masks are required for all attendees indoors, including vaccinated individuals
· No masks are required in outdoor spaces
· There are no required temperature screenings
· There are no capacity limits or one-way aisles
· There are no crowd density requirements
There will be a designated first aid area for immediate medical issues. Hand sanitizer stations will be located throughout the convention center. Also, the Expo will be offering on-site testing for return flights (reservations are required).
Sessions and Events
More than 200 educational sessions will be offered at the Expo between Sunday, Jan. 30th and Wednesday, Feb. 2nd. Most are free to attendees, although some offered through the ASHRAE Learning Institute do require a fee. For a full list of the Expo’s educational offerings, visit https://ahr22.mapyourshow.com/8_0/explore/session-fulllist.cfm#/ .
While there never seems enough time to hit every session of interest, here are just a few that seem of particular interest to contractors working in the plumbing and heating industry.
Solar Thermal Hydronic System Technology
Monday, January 31 • 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Location: N238/240
Increase occupancy comfort level, whether new construction or retrofit with solar thermal-assisted hydronic systems. Learn how hydronic projects can leverage solar thermal collectors for high-end, high-efficiency maximum comfort and energy efficiency.
5G Hydronics
Monday, January 31 • 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: N238/240
The fifth generation of district systems is an expansion of proven building and campus systems utilizing energy sharing and heat repurposing to create environmental neighborhoods, community heat pump loops, and District ATL’s. Taking advantage of ground temperature and thermal opportunities to deliver bidirectional energy flow, real energy credits, reduce new power use
Role of Boilers in the Age of Decarbonization
Monday, January 31 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Location: N234/236
Learn ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero, the benefits and challenges of carbon capture, the availability of renewable fuels, and how electric/electrode boilers play a role in decarbonization. (Presented by the American Boiler Manufacturers Association.)
With Chilled Beams Safer Air Doesn’t Have to Cost You More
Tuesday, February 1 • 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location: N234/236
Taking a whole systems approach can provide increased ventilation, safer indoor air and reduced energy costs. We will explore the science behind chilled beam systems including induction air flow, sensible cooling and heating and air distribution optimization. (Presented by the Radiant Professionals Alliance.)
Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) for Boilers
Wednesday, February 2 • 10:15 AM - 10:35 AM
Location: Theater B - Booth N11931
Selective Catalytic Reduction is a well-established technology that is proving its prowess in de-noxing the power plants. It plays a pivotal role in cleaning flue or exhaust gases and reducing the emission.
The Day That Turned Their Business Around
Wednesday, February 2 • 11:15 AM - 11:35 AM
Location: Theater C - Booth N11936
Five stories on how five contractors turned their business and lives around and never looked back! Learn how Success Group International has helped HVAC contractors put every next goal within reach.
For those readers of online columnist Ken Sinclair and subscribers to the Connected Contractor newsletter, the AutomatedBuildings.com crew has an entire slate of sessions on building automation and the future of smart buildings that can be viewed at http://automatedbuildings.com/news/oct21/reviews/210925125701ahr.html . Of note, on Tuesday, Feb. 1st, from 3:30 – 4:30 PM, room N239 will be the site of the ninth annual Connection Community Collaboratory. Mark Petock, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for Lynxspring will lead “an open conversation with industry influencers who will discuss a variety of subjects that are playing a role in making our built environment smarter and sustainable.”
And of course, the AHR Expo is held in conjunction with the ASHRAE Winter Conference. For a full conference schedule, visit https://www.ashrae.org/conferences/2022-winter-conference-las-vegas .
New Products
Ariston Group’s Engineering and Quality teams introduce the Everlast Elevate, a new flexible capacity water heater from HTP. The unit delivers the highest output of any residential resistance electric storage water heater on the market after the enforcement policy covering electric water heaters greater than 55-gallons in NAECA III expires on Dec. 31, 2021. The Elevate combines energy efficiency, durability, and maximum comfort in one easy-to-install package.
For the first time in North America, Daikin is launching a home comfort product featuring R-32, a refrigerant with one-third the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of the most common refrigerants currently being used in the United States and Canada.
The new Daikin ATMOSPHERA system featuring R-32 refrigerant from Daikin North America LLC is a single zone, ductless system that gains impressive efficiencies over its R-410A predecessor line, the LV Series, with up to 27.4 SEER, 13.8 HSPF and 16.3 EER ratings for ultra-efficient cooling and heating. Four sizes of indoor and outdoor heat pumps are available, from 9,000 to 24,000 BTU.
New hybrid cooling technology efficiently controls humidity, even in low-cooling loads, and maintains dehumidification effect after the target temperature is reached. Daikin ATMOSPHERA’s novel “CLEAN” operation dries the interior of the indoor unit to reduce the amount of condensation present, while a detachable drain pan allows for easy cleaning.
The Heat2O™ Heat Pump Water Heater from Mitsubishi Electric/Trane HVAC US is designed to produce high volume domestic hot water for commercial facilities in any climate.
The all-electric system is both highly efficient and environmentally friendly, featuring a COP up to 4.52 powered by natural CO2 refrigerant. With intelli-HEAT dual-fuel furnace integration system, an all-electric heat pump serves as the primary heating source, but natural gas is available for extremely cold events.
Rapid Water Technologies will introduce its patent-
equipment life.
The NEXUS-LP Discrete Valve Controller from SVF Flow Controls provides an integrated solution, with switches, sensors, pilot and spool valve all in a single platform. It is suitable for use on rotary applications for double acting or spring return actuators. It features NAMUR and ISO 5211 adjustable bracket mounting, 5/2 aluminum spool valve, and 2” X ½” NPT conduit entries.
For those weary attendees who have gotten tired of marching from booth to booth, new product and technology presentations will be offered throughout the Expo at theaters A, B, and C (rooms N11926, N11931 and N11936 on your show planner).
Remember to stay hydrated, wear comfortable shoes, and bring snacks in case you can’t take a break for lunch. Safe travels, and we’ll see you at the show!
Innovation Awards [sidebar]
The AHR Expo Innovation Awards is an annual competition that honors the most inventive and original products, systems and technologies showcased at each year’s AHR Expo. Winners are selected by a panel of third-party ASHRAE member judges. This year the winners (by category) are:
Building Automation
iSMA CONTROLLI S.p.A. / iSMA-B-MAC36NL Hybrid IoT Controller powered by Niagara Framework
Cooling
Danfoss / Danfoss Turbocor® VTCA400 Compressor
Heating
Carrier / Infinity® 24 Heat Pump with Greenspeed® Intelligence
Indoor Air Quality
Antrum / AntrumX™ IAQ Facilities Monitoring System
Plumbing
Franklin Electric / Little Giant, Inline SpecPAK, Multi-Pump Pressure Boosting System
Refrigeration
ebm-papst Inc. / AxiEco 630-910 Axial Fan
Software
Bluon, Inc. / Bluon Support Platform
Sustainable Solutions (formerly Green Building)
Enginuity Power Systems Inc / E/ONE Home Power System
Tools & Instruments
Fluke Corporation / Fluke 378 FC Non-Contact Voltage True-rms AC/DC Clamp Meter with iFlex
Ventilation
Aldes / InspirAIR® Fresh
On the second day of the show, one winning product will be named AHR Expo’s Product of the Year.