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Reflections from the 2026 AHR Expo: Innovation, Demand, and a Reenergized HVAC Industry

By Angela Wang, HVAC Industry Analyst

As a first‑time attendee at the 2026 AHR Expo in Las Vegas, I was struck not only by the sheer scale of the event, but also by the sense of community. The volume of exhibitors and attendees—and how many seemed to know each other—underscored how relationship‑driven the HVAC industry truly is.

Even as a mature market, HVAC is far from stagnant. The Expo showcased an industry doubling down on innovation across products, services, and digital capabilities. Below are the key themes that stood out to our team.

AI and Smart Connectivity Continue to Evolve

AI’s role in HVAC has officially moved beyond the hype cycle into practical, deployable solutions. Nowhere was this more evident than in controls and connected systems.

What we observed:

  • AI is becoming embedded at the equipment and system level, enabling predictive maintenance, real‑time diagnostics, and automated energy optimization. These capabilities are no longer aspirational—they’re evident in commercial products.
  • The industry is shifting from component-level efficiency to fully integrated, cloud-connected platforms that unify HVAC, lighting, security, and building automation under one ecosystem.

AI is moving beyond HVAC optimization to reshape operations across facilities.

Data Centers Driving Mission-Critical Cooling Innovation

It’s impossible to talk about HVAC in 2026 without talking about data centers. The rapid growth of AI compute and hyperscale facilities is reshaping expectations for cooling performance and pushing manufacturers to innovate faster than ever.

Key takeaways:

  • Nearly every major OEM now has a dedicated data center product division, a sign of how strategically important this vertical has become.
  • Advanced technologies such as immersion cooling, liquid-to-chip systems, and hydronic-based cooling are gaining momentum as heat loads continue to rise and traditional air‑based cooling becomes insufficient.

This sector is redefining what “mission‑critical” means—and creating new opportunities for specialized product development.

Sustainability and Efficiency Remain Priority Topics

Despite the shift in political administration, sustainability and energy efficiency were still central themes on the show floor.

What’s shaping the conversation:

  • The transition to low-GWP refrigerants continues to accelerate, with R‑32, R‑454B, R‑290 (propane), and CO₂ systems receiving significant attention.
  • Manufacturers are positioning hybrid and dual-fuel systems as pragmatic solutions for customers not yet ready—or able—to go fully electric.

While regulatory pressure may be slowing, market expectations for greener, more efficient products are not.

Labor Shortages Are Driving New Product Strategies

Like many construction-adjacent industries, HVAC continues to struggle with a shrinking skilled labor pool. This challenge was a major discussion point across the Expo.

What manufacturers are doing:

  • Prioritizing contractor partnerships and ongoing training to ensure installers can keep up with rapid product innovation.
  • Expanding offerings in off‑site prefabrication and modular assemblies—such as pump skids, risers, and packaged mechanical systems—to reduce installation complexity and field labor requirements.
  • Highlighting the long-term need to attract new talent to the trades, supported by expanded technical education programs.

This labor gap is reshaping the design philosophy behind many new products.

Final Thoughts 

2025 was a turbulent year with uneven performance across the HVAC industry, but the tone at the 2026 Expo felt distinctly more optimistic. Exhibitors and attendees alike showed renewed energy and a sense that the industry is ready for its next wave of opportunity. If one theme connected everything we saw, it was the increasing importance of data—collecting it, interpreting it, and acting on it. Manufacturers that embrace an analytics-driven approach, paired with strong contractor relationships and forward-looking product strategies, will be well positioned for what’s ahead.