AHR Expo

What You Need to Know About 25 C Homeowner Energy Efficiency Tax Credits

If you make qualified energy-efficient improvements to your home after January 1, 2023, you may qualify for a tax credit of up to $3,200. Beginning this year, no credit will be granted unless items are produced by qualified manufacturers and the taxpayer reports the PIN for the item on their tax return. This session covered:

• An overview of the 25C homeowner energy efficiency tax credit
• The status of the PIN assignment system
• How AHRI can provide a PIN
• A system demonstration

Speakers:
Katherine Hunt, Director, Member Services and Data Analysis, AHRI
Samantha Slater, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, AHRI

Flammable Refrigerants (A2s and A3s) – What You Need to Know

Even though the transition to A2L refrigerants is not yet complete, some policy makers at the federal and state levels are discussing a follow-on transition to “ultra low-GWP” refrigerants which, at the current time, are categorized by ASHRAE as A3 (flammable). The panel addressed:

• The current state of discussion in states and the federal government
• The potential path toward the widespread use of A3 refrigerants
• What this could or would mean with respect to technician training and safety

Speakers:
Brian Rodgers, Principal Engineer; Heating, Cooling, and Commercial Refrigeration, Product Safety, UL Solutions
Jim VerShaw, Chairman, ASHRAE Standard 15.2 Safety Standard for Refrigeration Systems in Residential Applications, ASHRAE
Kashif Nawaz, Section Head - Building Technologies Research, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Xudong Wang, Vice President of Research, AHRI

Moderator:
Rajan Rajendran, Consultant, Five Rivers Consulting

Quantifying the Importance of Technician Training and Certification
Hosted by: North American Technician Excellence (NATE)

NATE worked with an independent research group to survey technicians and contractors about HVACR certification and continuing education in the workplace. The session covered the major trends in employer-provided training and review our survey results, including how they affect retention, job satisfaction, and customer growth.

Speaker:
John Lanier, NATE President

Everything You Need to Know About the Refrigerant Transition and A2Ls (AHR Panel Series) 

A panel of HVACR industry representatives, including AHRI Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Samantha Slater, AHRI Director of Codes Thomas “Tom” Deary, and Founder and President, Glencoe Strategies LLC Scott Stone, discussed the latest information about the transition to low-global warming potential (GWP) or A2L refrigerants. The session covered:

• The status of the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act implementation
• State building code updates for A2Ls or Low-GWP refrigerants

Speakers:
Chuck White, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, PHCC
Jim Cika, Director of PMG Technical Resources, ICC
Samantha Slater, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, AHRI
Scott Stone, Founder and President, Glencoe Strategies LLC
Tom Deary, Director of Codes, AHRI

Emerging Trends in Chemical Policies

The session covered:

• The current state of PFAS legislation and regulations in the states and in the federal government
• Ways the Sustainable PFAS Action Network is working to educate policy makers about PFAS and potential alternative chemicals in the HVACR and water heating industry
• Potential effects on the industry of under-informed legislation and regulations

Speakers:
Allen Karpman, Principal, Ninth Element Consulting LLC 
Elisabeth Biser, President, Biser Strategies LLC
Kevin Fay, Executive Director, The Sustainable PFAS Action Network (SPAN) 
 

Thermal Batteries: Low-Cost, Scalable Grid Storage to Achieve Sustainability Goals

The audience heard about the latest innovations in thermal energy storage and why it is important, especially with the new investment tax credit included in the Inflation Reduction Act. The session covered how thermal batteries interact with the grid and provide affordable solutions to achieve energy goals, and the economic and carbon-reduction benefits to end-users.  

Speakers:
Al Takle, Business Unit Leader, Steffes
James Marker, Director, Business Development, Ice Energy
Laura Marshall, Applications Lead, Baltimore Aircoil Company
Moderator: Samantha Slater, AHRI Senior Vice President of Government Affairs

Decarbonizing Commercial and Industrial Heating with Hydrogen Part 1: What is the Decarbonization Potential?
Cohost: GTI Energy

The first session in this two-part series:

• Introduced the current state of research to define the upper practical limit of using H2 to decarbonize large commercial and industrial heating equipment currently using natural gas, the structure of the project for the California Energy Commission with partners GTI Energy, UC Irvine, EPRI, AHRI, and other industry partners (AHRI members)
• Provided the context for displacing natural gas in heating equipment with H2 as a blend or through full conversion to 100% H2, with an overview of key developments and demonstrations in North America
• Described parallel testing methods and results regarding common materials of construction and impacts of being exposed to hydrogen combustion environments

Speakers:
Paul Glanville, Senior Research and Development Director, GTI Energy
Vince McDonell, Director, UC Irvine Combustion Laboratory, UC Irvine

Decarbonizing Commercial and Industrial Heating with Hydrogen Part 2: Recent Results from Testing Boilers, Furnaces, Water Heaters, and Other Equipment
Cohost: GTI Energy

The second session in this two-part series:

• Continued to describe the testing methods employed at GTI Energy and UC Irvine laboratories to test multiple boilers, water heaters, furnaces, and other commercial/industrial equipment and establish practical upper limits of hydrogen blending into natural gas, including considerations for hydrogen safety and novel emissions sampling techniques
• Reviewed the results concerning impacts on heating capacity, efficiency, NOx/CO emissions, CH4/H2 slip emissions, operational safety, and other considerations for the 10+ equipment tested
• Reviewed the project’s preliminary technoeconomic assessment of using H2 in commercial/industrial facilities throughout California and review the technical survey of current research regarding the practical limits of using H2 in heating equipment

Speakers:
Paul Glanville, GTI Energy, Senior Research and Development Director
Stephen Memory, A. O. Smith Corporation, Corporate Technology Center Director

The New Look of the AHRI Directory of Certified Product Performance

AHRI updated the public-facing side of the AHRI Directory of Certified Product Performance in October 2024. The modernized user interface greatly enhances the usability of the Directory and is another significant milestone in cementing its reputation as the go-to source for HVACR industry data. This session covered:

• The enhanced AHRI Directory user interface
• Updated AHRI Directory features
• Tips and tools for finding models and listings

Speakers:
Alison Andrews, Director, Data Services and Product Development, AHRI
Erica Tweedy, Senior Technical Analyst, AHRI

Adiabatic Humidification Technologies for Decarbonization

This presentation explored how humidification and evaporation technologies fit into decarbonization strategies, with a particular focus on energy efficiency benefits that can be unlocked with evaporative technologies. Attendees reviewed indoor humidity terminology and commonly available technologies before taking an in-depth look into how those products fit into decarbonization strategies. See the presentation here.

Supporting Healthy Buildings through Humidity Control

This session explored the links between humidity and health in schools, workplaces, and homes, and provided practical approaches for achieving optimal humidity levels. In addition to ventilation and filtration, humidity control is an important component of healthy indoor environments. Both recent and historical research have demonstrated links between humidity control and the health of building occupants, as well as control of infectious aerosols. See the presentation here.

Thermal Energy Storage: Current Technologies and Innovations

Attendees learned about the latest innovations in thermal energy storage and why it is important, especially as it relates to the new investment tax credit included in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. The presentation covered the types of products that are commercialized (i.e., rooftop packaged units, chillers, campus-wide tanks), the economic and carbon-reduction benefits to end-users, as well as the benefits to the grid. See the presentation here.

VRF Test Procedure and Efficiency Rating Update

This session provided a summary of the most notable changes in the new VRF test procedure, including an in-depth review of the CVP and associated Appendix C and H sections of the standard. There was a review of definitions, calculations, other significant requirements to meet the CVP, and the budgeting system. See the presentation here.

What You Need to Know - A Closer Look at the Ongoing Implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act Incentives

A panel of HVACR and water heating industry representatives and stakeholders shared the latest rulemaking guidance and information about the ongoing implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) programs, including tax credits and home electric appliance rebate programs important to our industry. See the presentation here.

What You Need to Know - An Update on the Transition to Low-GWP (or A2L) Refrigerants

A panel of HVAC industry representatives, including AHRI Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Samantha Slater and AHRI Director of Codes Thomas Deary, discussed the latest information about the transition to low-global warming potential (or A2L) refrigerants. See the presentation here.

What Manufacturers Can Get Out of It: The Value in Partnering with Voluntary Programs

The panel discussion, including the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) and manufacturer partners, explained the benefits to manufacturers of partnering with regional energy efficiency efforts, the basics of market transformation, the relationship between voluntary programs and regulation (including codes and standards), and what products and technologies are on the horizon for energy efficiency programs. See the presentation here.

Cool Credentials: Preparing HVACR Technicians for Low-GWP Refrigerant Changes

North American Technician Excellence (NATE) hosted an informative discussion on the imminent transition to low-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants and how NATE certification exams empower HVACR technicians to navigate this transformative phase with confidence. NATE explained the critical role of the Low-GWP Refrigerants Certification Exam in equipping technicians with the essential knowledge and skills required to excel in the field during these changes. Stay ahead of the curve with NATE - these regulatory changes are set to begin taking effect in 2025! Learn more.