In February, we traveled to Orlando, Florida, for AHR Expo 2025, the world’s largest HVACR event, bringing together more than 1,800 exhibitors and 50,000 attendees. The event served as a hub for manufacturers, engineers, and experts to present new technologies and innovations, discuss emerging trends, and address the challenges shaping the future of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration.
A key industry focus this year was achieving higher energy efficiency, driven by both regulatory requirements and market demand. Manufacturers are prioritizing new technologies that reduce energy consumption while maintaining performance, making efficiency the central theme across HVACR sectors. Closely linked to this effort is the shift toward natural refrigerants like CO₂, ammonia, and hydrocarbons. As high-GWP refrigerants are phased out, these alternatives are gaining attention. However, their adoption presents challenges, including system redesigns, infrastructure upgrades, and safety considerations.
Another major topic was data center cooling, which has become increasingly critical as global demand for digital infrastructure grows. With data centers consuming vast amounts of energy, improving their cooling efficiency is a top priority. Conversations at AHR focused on new cooling strategies, including liquid cooling, optimized airflow management, and alternative refrigerants, all aimed at reducing energy use and environmental impact. Furthermore, the impact of the new U.S. administration and speculations about how decarbonization policies and refrigerant regulations will evolve were prominent topics. While the direction of future policies remains unclear, the drive toward higher energy efficiency continues, with regulatory pressure and market demand pushing the industry forward.
Discussions at AHR went beyond technology and policy, highlighting the importance of diversity in the HVACR industry. Sibylla attended a private dinner hosted by the International Network for Women in HVAC, where female industry leaders shared insights on leadership, innovation, and the sector’s future. As the industry undergoes major shifts, diverse perspectives will be essential in shaping its direction, driving new ideas and solutions to meet evolving challenges.
AHR Expo 2025 made it clear that the HVACR industry is at a critical turning point. The transition to natural refrigerants, advancements in energy efficiency, and evolving regulations are all shaping the path forward. For our team, it was great to see that the industry has a strong need for solutions that provide higher energy efficiencies combined with lower environmental impact and to discuss these market drivers with all players.
Now, we look forward to continuing these conversations – see you at the AHR 2026!