RSES Journal Winter 2025, RETA-RSES

INNOVATION AWARDS ANNOUNCED The AHR Expo announced the winners of the 2026 AHR Expo Innovation Awards on October 23. Each year, after a period of review by a panel of third-party judges, products are selected in 10 technology categories to represent the most innovative products and technolo gies in the market today. Building Automation Winner: Honeywell Innovation: Honeywell Connected Solutions cloud-based tools for remote monitoring, predictive maintenance, en ergy optimization and asset lifecycle management. AHR Booth C1840

include continued state efforts to regulate PFA and plastics and packaging, and expand extended producer responsibility efforts,” Yurek adds. Buildings Doing More ASHRAE 2025-26 President Bill McQuade is making building performance a hallmark of his term. “The HVACR industry is experiencing a period of rapid trans formation. The focus is no longer solely on efficiency or cost savings, it is equally about creating indoor spaces that actively support health, comfort and productivity. The technologies and solutions driving our sector forward are reshaping expectations for how buildings should perform for both people and the planet,” McQuade says. He adds in his Trend Report comments that discussions within the HVACR community are being guided by strong interest in technologies that enhance occupant health while lowering energy consumption. “Grid-interactive buildings and load flexibility are also emerging as priorities, reflecting the growing link between HVACR systems and the broader energy infrastructure,” McQuade says; and he adds that the industry is keeping an eye on resilience strategies, design ing systems that can withstand extreme weather events and ensure continuity of service in critical facilities. AI can also help optimize climate management, along with real-time monitoring of indoor conditions, McQuade says. Grid Glut The U.S. was experiencing a growth in data centers before AI came along, but now the need is much greater for sufficient and ever increasing amounts of electricity to run these “high compute applica tions” which is putting a strain on the nation’s electrical grid. John Mullen , Director of Technical Services and Research, Inter national Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) says there’s an additional way to cool these data center giants, which he describes as a “mission critical” need. “Water-based cooling remains the most effective and elegant solution, especially when integrated into district systems that allow heat to be captured, moved and repurposed," writes Mullen in the Trend Report. As seen in HVACR, Mullen says the plumbing and mechanical industry must move quickly to train tradespeople to design, install and maintain these systems to the highest standards. “With the spotlight on sustainable cooling, we have a rare oppor tunity to cement water-based solutions as a go-to strategy if we prepare the workforce to deliver them reliably and at scale. The biggest opportunities for HVAC and plumbing in the coming year will be in how we educate, advocate and collaborate,” Mullen said. But will there be enough water? It has been reported that in some areas where newly-functioning data centers have opened, the water required to run them is draining the water supply of nearby residents. McQuade responds that water efficiency and reuse in HVACR applications are also gaining traction, especially in regions that are facing constraints on water and other resources. The 2026 Industry Trend Report contains additional observations that cannot fit into this one article. Find many additional comments at https://bit.ly/26AHRTrendReport .

Cooling Winner: Daikin Applied Americas

Innovation: Magnitude WME-C Quad dual-circuit series counter flow chiller that delivers up to 3,000-tons of capac ity using Daikin’s magnetic bearing compressor technology. AHR Booth C4916

Heating Winner: Copeland

Innovation: Heating-Optimized Modulating Vapor Injection Portfolio. This combines two-stage, tandem and variable speed compression platforms with enhanced vapor injec

tion technologies. AHR Booth C3606

Indoor Air Quality Winner: Sharp Corporation Innovation: Airest mini-split heat pump with built-in MERV

14 certified filters. AHR Booth SL1919

Plumbing Winner: IDC Fluid Control

Innovation: LeakStop III fully automated water leak detec tion system for homes and small commercial buildings. AHR Booth SL1225 Refrigeration Winner: Copeland Innovation: Transcritical CO 2 scroll compressor with dy namic vapor injection technology. AHR Booth C3607 Software Winner: Rebar Innovation: AI-powered takeoff platform for HVAC. AHR Booth SL233 Sustainable Solution Winner: Blue Frontier Innovation: BF-DOAS cooling/dehumidification technology. AHR Booth SL3720 Tools & Instruments Winner: CSG Compressors Innovation: SAMMi AI-powered HVAC monitoring/dispatch system to alert and dispatch technicians. AHR Booth SL3122 Ventilation Winner: ABB Motors & Drives Innovation: ACH580 variabe frequency drives for control of up to six EC Titanium motors. AHR Booth C1707

WINTER 2025 RSES Journal 25

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