HVAC Professionals Most Interested in Energy Efficient and Green/Sustainable Products, Technologies

WESTPORT, Conn. — Creating a more energy efficient and sustainable environment were definitely the goals for thousands of HVAC professionals attending the record-breaking 2013 AHR Expo in Dallas earlier this year. According to a post-show survey of 2013 attendees, 92 percent of respondents ranked energy-efficient products/technology as the most important things to see at the show.

Other product areas that were ranked “important” by the thousands of contractors, consulting specifying engineers and other show attendees were:

• Green building/sustainability – 81 percent
• Automation and controls – 81 percent
• Renewable energy (solar, geothermal, etc.) – 75 percent
  • Indoor air quality – 81 percent

“It’s interesting to note that the top five areas show attendees are most interested in seeing are all related to saving energy and creating better indoor environments. It’s a growing part of the HVACR marketplace that is definitely reflected in many of the new products on display,” noted Clay Stevens, president of International Exposition Company, which produces and manages the AHR Expo. “Renewable energy continues to gain traction, ranking higher every year, with three-fourths of the respondents ranking it fourth.”

Other important reasons attendees listed for visiting the world’s largest HVACR exposition were to “see what’s new on the market” (98 percent) and “visit with current suppliers” (94 percent). Additional high-ranking reasons for attending include:

• See specific new products firsthand – 94 percent
• Look for new suppliers/vendors – 92 percent
• Find solutions to address needs – 82 percent
• Make decision to purchase – 53 percent
• Attend educational sessions – 43 percent
• Attend meetings at the show – 57 percent

In keeping with the desire to see new technologies and products, 50 percent said they visited the Building Automation & Control Showcase, while 34 percent visited the Software Center and 42 percent attended exhibitor presentations in the New Product & Technology Theaters.

“That’s why exhibitors use AHR Expo to showcase their latest products. In fact, in the post-show exhibitor survey, 65 percent said they introduced new products since the last AHR Expo and nearly half responded that they used the show to introduce new products for the first time,” added Stevens. “For many companies, the show is so important that they put a lot of effort into making sure that their new products are ready in time to be unveiled in their booths.”

The 2014 AHR Expo will be held January 21-23 in New York City. AHR Expo is endorsed by 35 of the leading HVACR industry associations and is co-sponsored by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers and the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute. The Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Institute of Canada is an honorary sponsor. ASHRAE’s Winter Conference is held concurrently with the AHR Expo each year.

For more information visit the show’s website at www.ahrexpo.com.