VIVA LAS VEGAS
AHR Expo hits the strip in February 2026 as HVAC/R professionals flock to Las Vegas for the industry’s largest North American trade show and conference.
For an escape from the winter chill, the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Exposition (AHR Expo), the largest annual gathering in North American of HVAC/R industry professionals, is heading to the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas, for three days of engaging trade show exhibits and educational conferences, February 2 to 4, 2026.
Like past editions of the Expo since 1930, manufacturers and suppliers from around the world will be on hand to showcase their latest innovations, but when the show is over the attractions in the original Sin City can range from the legendary casinos, to spectacular shows like the Wizard of Oz at the Sphere, or even catching the Golden
Knights host the Vancouver Canucks on February 4th at the T-Mobile Arena.
But don’t forget why you’re there. The AHR Expo places an emphasis on educating contractors and engineers while also providing a marketplace for manufacturers and distributors. The event is co-sponsored by the education-focused ASHRAE (the global society of heating, refrigeration and air conditioning engineers) and the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute of America (AHRI).
SEMINARS AND PANELS
The full schedule for the 2026 AHR Expo Education Program includes hundreds of sessions, including over 100 free subject-specific seminars, a panel series featuring the popular ‘State of
DATES AND TIMES
Monday, February 2, 2026
HOURS: 10 AM – 6 PM
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
HOURS: 10 AM – 6 PM
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
HOURS: 10 AM – 4 PM
Las Vegas Convention Center, Central and South Halls
AHREXPO.COM
the Industry’ forum,plus vendor-hosted new product presentations and more.
“Over the years, the AHR education program has grown into an important complementary asset to the show floor experience, lending an opportunity for deeper understanding of what’s hap -
DEMO Your place to
Get hands-on with the latest tools and learn tips from expert-led training and education sessions. Engage with pros from across the industry and discover cost-effective and cutting-edge solutions to real-world problems. AHR is your place to expand beyond your day-to-day.
FEB 2 -4
pening within the industry, how to apply skill and knowledge, and how to prepare for shifts,” said show manager, Mark Stevens, in a past release.
The AHR Expo website (ahrexpo.com) allows attendees to search through the long list of educational sessions using keywords (like heat pumps), or you can search by topic, session type, speaker or date.
This year’s series of free panel discussions includes the 2026 State of the Industry: Today’s Market, Challenges, Opportunities & What’s Ahead (Tuesday, 10 a.m.). This session is always standing room only and puts leaders from industry associations including ASHRAE, AHRI, HARDI, and NCI on the hot seat to share their visions for the year ahead.
Other interesting panels this year include: Heat Pumps: Scaling for Commercial and Residential Markets (Monday, 1 p.m.); The Evolution of Ventilation & Energy Recovery: The Growing Role of ERVs in HVAC (Monday, 2:30 p.m.); and although the topic is U.S. focused there is a panel called State of Play: Refrigerant Policy in the U.S. (Monday, 10 a.m.); and there is also Data Center Demands: Cooling Solutions, BMS Advancement and the Next Generation of HVAC (Tuesday, 11:30 a.m.); and on the sales side, Mitigating Misinformation: Customer Communication that Scales (Tuesday, 2:30 p.m.).
Although there are many regional, code and legislative differences between the U.S. and Canada, the everyday concerns and trends affecting HVAC/R professionals are cross border.
Also, sifting through the 130 seminars available, you’ll find many featuring the latest updates on AI in HVAC, preparing your workforce for the future of the trades, and on Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. there is a session on ‘Decarbonizing Commercial Heating with Hydrogen –Boilers, Water Heaters & HVAC,’ being presented by AHRI and GTI Energy.
There will also be several sessions focused on heat pumps, including Why Heat Pump Projects Fail, 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, and A2L Safety and Mitigation Technology Overview, Tuesday, 2:30 p.m.
Canada’s own Trevor Matthews (Refrigeration Mentor) will be presenting a session on Mastering CO2 Refrigeration Basics and Beyond, Tuesday, 1 p.m.
Another Canadian, Quebec-born Karine Leblanc, will be presenting Culture, Conflict & Connection: EQ on the Jobsite and in the Office, a session that will apply to anyone who works with people designed to help improve overall communication (Monday, 8:30 a.m.).
If your focus is on learning about new products, aside from walking the show floor, the New Product Theater will be hosting more than 150 presentations, each lasting approximately 20 minutes. These free sessions, all listed on the ahrexpo.com website, will provide brief overviews of product announcements from the technology experts.
PODCASTERS
Industry podcasters and many HVAC/R social media influencers are once again headed to AHR Expo for the sixth edition of the Podcast Pavilion. Witness in-person interviews with industry personalities. When you need a break from walking the show floor, grab something to eat and
head to the Podcast Pavilion to sit in on industry conversations. The Refrigeration Mentor (Trevor Matthews) will be among the personalities sharing knowledge at the Pavilion, speaking at Noon on Monday, 3 p.m. on Tuesday, and early at 9 a.m. on Wednesday. You can check out the complete schedule online.
On the massive show floor attendees will also be able to visit the exhibitors who were named the winners of the 2026 AHR Expo Innovation Awards. In addition, during the show one of the winners will be announced as the Product of the Year.
PLAN AHEAD
In total there are expected to be over 1,800+ exhibitors at AHR Expo 2026, from the largest manufacturers to niche players and start-ups, and the show is anticipating over 50,000 HVAC/R attendees coming to learn and network.
Attendees who pre-register can skip the registration lines, and you can curate your experience using the show’s personalized planner. My Show Planner is a personal agenda that syncs with the AHR Expo App on your phone. The online tool allows visitors to map out and manage their show floor visits and education schedule in advance.
Details and instructions for registration and downloading the AHR Expo App are all available at ahrexpo.com <>
Aside from the education sessions off the show floor, don’t miss the many on-booth activities that attract crowds and build excitement at the show.
INNOVATION AWARD WINNERS
2026 AHR INNOVATION AWARDS
On October 23rd organizers of the AHR Expo announced the winners of the 2026 AHR Innovation Awards, an annual program which receives hundreds of entries from manufacturers all putting forward their latest designs, including all-new solutions and improvements on existing products and technologies.
The collection of entries are reviewed by a panel of third-party judges made up of ASHRAE members, and the judging evaluations are based on overall innovative design, creativity of the
product or service, suitability and benefit of the product or technology in realworld application, as well as overall potential market impact.
“An AHR Innovation Award winner is a meaningful distinction in HVAC/R,” says AHR Expo show manager, Mark Stevens.
“The AHR Innovation Awards not only highlight these accomplishments, but also act as a benchmark for excellence, honouring the creativity and dedication shaping our industry’s future.”
This year’s winners (described below
BUILDING AUTOMATION
The Connected Solutions suite from Honeywell provides building owners and service providers with cloud-based tools for remote monitoring, predictive maintenance, energy optimization, and asset lifecycle management. Honeywell has made connectivity a core capability of its products, from sensors and devices to software and platforms, and since it’s now a native feature it’s easier to use automation and AI to discover and connect components. The suite of applications streamline operations, reduce costs and improve sustainability efforts through a unified platform turning traditional building management into a connected, data-driven tool. buildings.honeywell.com
HEATING
The Copeland heating-optimized modulating vapour injection portfolio of compressors for OEMs of residential heat pumps, commercial RUs and chillers combines two-stage tandem and variablespeed compression platforms with vapour injection technologies to deliver flexibility in achieving the capacity and efficiency requirements of cold climate and commercial heat pumps for hot air and water applications. copeland.com
and on the following page) were chosen across 10 different categories, and at the 2026 AHR Expo trade show in Las Vegas (February 2 - 4) one overall 2026
Product of the Year winner will be selected and announced from among these 10 category winning products.
All 10 of the products below will also be recognized and on display on the show floor at the AHR Expo.
COOLING
The Daikin Magnitude WME-C Quad is the first dual circuit series counterflow chiller that delivers up to 3,000 tons of capacity using the company’s magnetic bearing compressor technology. With four compressors, the units offer part-load efficiency, reliability and uptime. Using direct drive technology, integral variable-frequency drives and R-513A, or R-515B refrigerant, the unit is up to 40% more efficient than standard centrifugal chillers. It offers a wide operating envelope, including condenser leaving water temps up to 130F. Its unique RideThrough technology also allows the chiller to maintain operation during power loss for up to 17 seconds. daikinapplied.com
INDOOR AIR QUALITY
The Airest from Sharp is the first mini-split heat pump with built-in MERV 14 certified filters. It captures over 99.9% of dust before it enters the unit. Because high-efficiency filters can increase airflow resistance, Sharp has equipped the Airest with four centrifugal fans to produce higher static pressure, allowing air to flow more easily through the filter The heat pump is engineered with the heat exchanger positioned near the air outlet which allows dry air to circulate inside the unit, keeping internal humidity low and minimizing moisture buildup, which reduces the risk of mould growth. With an airflow reach of 43 feet, Airest cools or heats, and purifies the air. sharphvac.ca
MARCH 25–27, 2026
Metro Toronto Convention Centre
South Building
STEP INTO THE FUTURE OF HVACR & PLUMBING
Get hands-on with the latest equipment, tools & tech
Connect with 500+ suppliers & manufacturers
Stay sharp with live demos, code updates & training
Unlock timesaving & profit-boosting solutions
INNOVATION AWARD WINNERS
PLUMBING
LeakStop III from IDC Fluid Control is a fully automated water leak detection system for homes and small commercial buildings. The system is built to alarm in the event of a leak detection. Using wireless sensors on the floor and a connected valve on the water line, when the water flow is continuous and exceeds a preset and programmable maximum value, the system automatically shuts down water flow. idcgroup.com.cn
TOOLS & INSTRUMENTS
SAMMi (systematic autonomous management and monitoring intelligence), a new product from CSG Compressors, is an AIpowered HVAC and refrigeration monitoring and dispatch system that detects compressor abnormalities in real time before they cause breakdowns. It autonomously alerts and dispatches technicians, saving time, money, and product loss. The technology uses machine learning to analyze patterns in compressor behaviour, temperature fluctuations, power usage and other metrics. Easy to install and scalable, SAMMi works with a wide variety of compressor equipment types turning reactive maintenance into smart, seamless prevention. sammi-ai.com
REFRIGERATION
The Copeland transcritical CO2 scroll compressor marks a new era of simplicity, scalability and sustainability for small-footprint, distributed CO2 refrigeration. Featuring dynamic vapour injection (DVI) technology, which enhances efficiency and simplifies design, the transcritical-rated compressor alters CO2 refrigeration system designs and applications in North America, so distributed CO2 systems can now be applied across various retail sectors and store sizes, including new store installations, remodels and phased retrofits of aging hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) systems. copeland.com
SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS
Blue Frontier’s technology to cool and dehumidify is an evolution away from refrigerants and the vapour compression cycle. The technology uses liquid dessicant to control humidity and temperature. As a dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS), it’s proven to be 300% more energy efficient than current technologies and contains a dispatchable thermal storage battery, and it can independently control dew point and dry bulb temperature, providing improved indoor comfort. bluefrontierac.com
SOFTWARE
Rebar is the first AI-powered takeoff platform built for HVAC. The software reads construction plans, identifies mechanical pages, marks equipment and generates accurate takeoffs in minutes—eliminating hours of manual work. Purpose-built by industry experts, Rebar helps estimators and reps move faster, win more jobs and streamline the entire sales process. withrebar.ai
VENTILATION
The ACH580 variable frequency drive from ABB Motors and Drives enables seamless control when paired with up to six ABB EC Titanium motors, optimizing energy efficiency, reducing installation complexity, and lowering total cost of ownership. This intelligent fan array solution delivers high performance and simplified permanent magnet motor management for advanced HVAC applications. abb.com
SWEETER THAN EVER!
Over $12,000 worth of hydronic equipment will be won including:
Thank you CB Supplies and Grundfos Canada for rewarding Canadian excellence in hydronic installations!
Send us pics of your installation. Include a brief description of the particular challenges that you faced with this installation and how you overcame the obstacles. Submissions are limited to one per contractor, per category. Deadline to enter is July 31, 2026. All submissions will be featured on screen at Modern Hydronics - Summit 2026.
There are three categories:
• Commercial installations
• Residential new build
• Residential retrofit
The three winners will also be announced by John Siegenthaler at the Summit. In addition to having your winning entry shared across our social media channels you’ll also be interviewed by HPAC’s editor and featured on the cover of the October edition of HPAC!
