AHR Expo announced the 2023 Innovation Awards winners

The winners have been chosen in ten industry categories to represent the most innovative products and technologies set to hit the market in the year ahead.

AHR Expo (International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition) announced the 2023 AHR Expo Innovation Awards winners. The Innovation Awards draw hundreds of manufacturers who design new and never before seen solutions or improvements upon existing products and technologies for launch into the market in the coming year. The 2023 AHR Expo Innovation Award Winners and finalists were selected in ten industry categories, including building automation, cooling, heating, indoor air quality, plumbing, refrigeration, software, sustainable solutions, tools and instruments, and ventilation.

Heating: Copeland Compressors and Condensing Units: Copeland ZPSK7 scroll compressor 

The Copeland ZPSK7 scroll compressor is a product line of 1.5 – 5-ton two-stage compressors ideally suited for residential and light commercial HVAC applications. When a partial load is needed, bypass ports inside the compression chamber open, which partially unload the compressor. This allows the compressor to achieve 65 percent capacity.

Cooling: Chemours: Opteon XL41 Refrigerant 

Opteon XL41 is a non-ozone depleting, low global warming potential refrigerant replacement for R-410A in residential and light commercial air conditioning and scroll chiller applications. This innovative product maximizes the benefits of the transition to HFO refrigerants while minimizing the impact of the transition. Opteon XL41 provides a 78 percent reduction in GWP from R-410A while remaining compatible with all R-410A residential and commercial applications and lubricants. 

Refrigeration: Retail Solutions/ Emerson: Copeland ZFW variable speed scroll solution for low-temperature refrigeration applications 

The Copeland ZFW variable speed scroll solution includes a brushless permanent magnet (BPM) motor based scrolls and variable frequency drives (VFDs) targeted for low temperature, stationary refrigeration applications. The variable speed scroll provides better efficiency, precision, flexibility and reliability, while Copeland variable frequency drives, EVM/EVH Series, complement Emerson compressors and controls. It has double the capacity of a fixed speed compressor of the same size while providing a 20–30 percent efficiency improvement. 

Ventilation: SmartD Technologies: SmartD Clean Power VFD 

SmartD’s Clean Power Variable Frequency Drive changes the motor control landscape. Delivering a clean, sinusoidal signal reduces motor system losses by up to 40 percent and extends motor lifetime in a compact footprint that can be deployed without ancillary filters. The SmartD VFD integrates wide-bandgap (WBG) semiconductors into its multi-level inverter architecture. It combines them with patented modulation algorithms to produce a pure-sine wave electrical signal without external filters.

Plumbing: Caleffi Hydronic Solutions: Caleffi 536 Series PresCal HP Pistontype Pressure Reducing Valve 

The only direct-acting pressure regulating valve in North America with true piston operation, the PresCal HP family ensures stable, high precision water pressure control while withstanding severe inlet pressure or punishing downstream water hammer. It’s perfect for staged pressure control or demanding applications with extreme pressure fluctuations. 

Indoor Air Quality: BELIMO Americas: Room Sensor

 Belimo room sensors accurately measure temperature, humidity, dew point, and CO2 with or without an ePaper touch display. Integrated Near Field Communication (NFC) provides easy field adjustability, commissioning, remote display capabilities, and troubleshooting even without power. These sensors are maintenance-free and provide long term reliability for a comfortable room environment.

Sustainable Solutions: Taco Comfort Solutions: System M 

The ultra-efficient System M consists of a sleek, whisper-quiet, inverter-driven outdoor heat pump that can be up to 4x more efficient than a gas furnace. The outdoor heat pump seamlessly integrates with Taco’s exclusive indoor HydroBox to provide a complete system with just six pipe connections needed. System M is a radically innovative air-to-water heat pump that provides comfortable, efficient heating, cooling, and plenty of domestic hot water. 

Tools & Instruments: NAVAC Inc.: BREAK FREE POWER FLARING TOOL 

NAVAC NEF6LM BreakFree Power Flaring Tool yields accurate, hassle-free tubing flares in a fraction of the time compared to traditional flaring methods. Designed to perform reliably in harsh environments, NEF6LM also allows one button, one-hand operation. The tool is equipped with a high-performance rechargeable battery that makes over 100 flares per charge. 

Building Automation: Cielo WiGle Inc.: Cielo Breez Max 

Cielo Breez Max (Max) is the industry’s first true smart thermostat for mini-split, window and portable air conditioners. It is loaded with an AI-based engine to auto-detect AC type and model number. Backed with AWS cloud, Max is universally compatible with any brand or type of ductless air conditioner. It works with a 5V adapter or can be hard-wired through 12/18/24 volts AC. It can also be powered with 12/18/24 Volt DC.

Software: cove.tool  loadmodeling. tool Built for mechanical engineers, the loadmodeling.tool quickly and automatically establishes peak cooling and heating loads to design and rightsize the mechanical system using the EnergyPlus engine. This web-based tool supports cove. Tool’s goal of providing the solutions needed for the AEC industry to unlock productivity and solve the climate crisis. One of the most revolutionary aspects of the loadmodeling.tool is that it is web based.

 Entrants are evaluated based on overall innovative design, the creativity of the product or service offered, product or technology real-world application, and overall potential market impact. Show Manager Mark Stevens said, “The awards program experiences growth year on year. This directly correlates to how fast our industry is growing through innovation.”

Registration for the 2023 AHR Expo is free through February 4, 2023, and can be completed on ahrexpo.com.