The battle to be the best is on.

The AHR Expo has announced the winners of the 2024 AHR Expo Innovation Awards in 10 industry categories: building automation, cooling, heating, indoor air quality, plumbing, refrigeration, software, sustainable solutions, tools and instruments and ventilation.

These 10 products will compete head-to-head to be awarded the coveted AHR Expo Product of the Year award at the 2024 Show, scheduled for January 22—24 in Chicago.

For more information about the AHR Expo and the Innovation Awards, visit https://www.ahrexpo.com/awards

Winner: Ephoca–Nextac

The next generation of PTAC

Innovation: Nextac’s next-generation PTAC includes features such as R-32 use, twin rotary inverter compressor, heat pump performance to -10°F (-23°C), integrated ERV, MERV 13, zero air leakage, self-cleaning coils, 27 dB(A) operations, STC of 40, sleek, all-metal paintable cabinet. No drain is required for cooling or heating. Nextac’s new high-efficiency and quality PTAC compels manufacturers to enhance their PTAC lineup by making them more efficient, aesthetically pleasing and adding more insulation for quieter operation and a better seal.

Winner: Danfoss

DSG Compressor

Innovation: The DSG compressor has been specifically designed for low pressure refrigerants such as R-1234ze with low global warming potential. Applications include chiller systems, with a wide range of compressor capacities available to support unit design requirements. The DSG has been specifically designed for low pressure, low global warming potential refrigerants such as R-1234ze. These refrigerants would usually require a much larger compressor size to have the same capacity as high pressure (R-410A, etc.) refrigerants. 

Winner: Airgreen

BMIL Brine-based DX Cold Room Heat Pump

The AirGreen-BMIL brine-based DX refrigerant system essentially creates a low dewpoint “heat pump” for cold room applications providing <26°F (3.3°C) dew-point supply air in a single process step. This packaged unit design provides up to 50% energy savings while also significantly reducing capital costs. It also eliminates the downtime related to multiple defrost cycles, or worse, downtime for cleaning if condensation forms. 

Winner: HVAC Manufacturing and Technology Inc.

SAV -  Smart Air Valve 

Innovation: The SAV-Smart Air Valve is an economical self-commissioning air control solution. It features a 100:1 turndown and precision airflow accuracy to within a few cfm operating as low .03” w.g. (74 Pa). It matches the ventilation rate to the risk of hazard featuring advanced demand control ventilation and low EUI with a single unit size. The SAV adds value and mitigates risk by creating a new simplified and economical value chain leading to a paradigm shift by making fixed orifice plate technology obsolete. The variable orifice plate technology solves a complex fluid dynamic problem of measuring a fluid accurately over a wide dynamic range, making current fixed orifice single venae contract fluid measurement/fluid control air terminals obsolete. It offers a variable dimensional aspect ratio footprint and solves current issues for end users, architects/engineers, contractors and TAB entities. 

Winner: Rheem Water Heating

Triton Light Duty (50- and 75-gallon)

Innovation: The Triton Light Duty (LD) high-efficiency commercial gas water heater from Rheem boasts built-in smart monitoring and precise leak detection. It prevents downtime, manages water heater issues and keeps businesses running smoothly. It is designed to promote energy efficiency and environmental responsibility and holds the potential to drive transformative changes in the way water heaters are conceptualized and manufactured. With a capacity ranging from 50 to 75 gallons (189 to 284 L), its patented combustion system and helical coil heat exchanger provide maximum thermal efficiency and durability.

Winner: WellStat

WellStat

Innovation: WellStat is an indoor air quality + energy management software platform used by property and facility management teams to responsibly ensure healthy air quality conditions, lower operating costs and increase operating revenue. WellStat is completely integrated, customizable and provides a single, unified enterprise hardware, software and mobile platform experience. Customers can optimize their asset’s performance while promoting a safer and healthier work environment. Monitoring systems are tested, calibrated and always accurate, including 14+ IAQ sensors monitoring temperature, relative humidity, particulate matter, carbon dioxide, ozone, total volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, reset TVOC, dew point, wet bulb, light level, carbon monoxide, occupancy, pressure, sound dB and duct flow.

Winner: Midea Residential Air Conditioning

Midea PWHP

Innovation: Midea’s Packaged Window Heat Pump is a window-mounted cold climate air-source heat pump, designed for DIY installation and high-performing, energy-efficient heating and cooling. Developed to support multifamily buildings’ transition toward electrification, the Midea PWHP provides a cost-effective solution for buildings looking to quickly meet future sustainability requirements. Unit performance is 9,000 Btu/h (2.6 kW) heating and cooling, a 2.35 COP @ 17°F (-8.3°C), up to SEER2 21.8 and HSPF2 11.6. This is accomplished without the use of auxiliary heat.

Winner: INFICON

FLUE-Mate Combustion Analyzer

Innovation: FLUE-Mate Combustion Analyzer is designed to improve combustion efficiency and safety. This tool is equipped with an integrated manometer, thermometer, CO test, cracked heat exchanger test and provides draft analysis. FLUE-Mate can even generate a QR code that can be scanned with your smart device for a quick analysis report. FLUE-Mate provides a host of useful features for user convenience and safety, like the easily visible water trap and filter, easy operation, automatic pump shut-off and ambient CO monitoring. 

Winner: 75F

75F HyperStat Split

Innovation: The 75F HyperStat Split enables contractors to upgrade RTUs with advanced rooftop control with unprecedented ease. Using only two existing wires from the RTU to the thermostat, HyperStat Split provides dual enthalpy economizer, demand-control ventilation and VFD control. An onboard PIR occupancy sensor enhances energy savings with auto away. Devices like the HyperStat Split encourage the building controls industry to make two design considerations the norm.  

Winner: Interplay Learning

SAM (Skill Advisor and Mentor)

Innovation: SAM (Skill Advisor and Mentor) is the first AI-powered advisor for the skilled trades. SAM gives teams instant and personalized guidance so they can gain skills faster and more efficiently. Technicians can ask SAM questions and get immediate assistance while they’re learning, helping enhance comprehension and sharpen critical thinking. Interplay’s approach to on-demand mentorship and training provides considerable value. SAM uses data from SkillMill, which has been carefully crafted by seasoned subject matter experts, to ensure techs learn skills right the first time.