AHR Expo - HVAC Conference and Mariachi Concert

By Albert Tsoi:

Team Ecovent showed off our system of smart vents and sensors at the 2015 AHR Expo (officially the 2015 International Air-Conditioning Heating and Refrigerating Exposition) in Chicago, Illinois earlier this week. AHR is like the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) for the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and cooling (“HVAC”) industry. Well, maybe not just like CES. However, AHR is the world’s largest HVAC conference and brings in over 2,000 exhibiting companies and 40,000 visitors, including manufacturers, engineers, contractors, and other professionals to showcase the latest in HVAC equipment and technology.

Our first impression of AHR was that these guys have a wicked sense of humor. The entrance was surrounded with banners about how next year’s AHR was going to be in Orlando, Florida. There were also tons of advertisements for AHR in Guadalajara, Mexico later this year. We love Chicago but a little less so in January! Brrrrrrrr. However, we can’t really complain seeing as winter storm Juno buried our homebase in Boston in over two feet of snow!

This was the first year we exhibited at both CES and AHR, so we weren’t completely sure how we would be received at either expo. We’re happy to report that both expos blew our expectations out of the water! The experiences at CES and AHR were similar in many ways: we met a tremendous number of people and we were completely pumped to show off our system of smart vents and sensors. Like CES, we received feedback at AHR that was energizing and motivating. One HVAC contractor said, “it’s completely embarrassing that I have this problem [of rooms that are too hot or too cold] in my own home. I’m in the industry and I can’t fix this.” AHR reinforced for us that the problem of having rooms in homes that are simply the wrong temperature is pervasive, even for people who one would think have the knowledge and resources to address it.

In other key ways, CES and AHR were very different. We went to AHR to meet other industry professionals: builders, contractors and distributors who have been in this industry for 30+ years. These professionals have literally seen it all in terms of HVAC products and issues in both residential and commercial HVAC. Given the depth and breadth of their expertise, we wanted to learn as much from them as possible, since we want as many eyes and ears in the real world as possible. At Ecovent, we constantly seek out opportunities to learn and we appreciate all kinds of feedback. The ability to learn, in this case, from HVAC professionals, means that we can ultimately create a better product for the homeowner.

One thing we heard over and over again from industry professionals was that not enough homeowners are offered multi-zoning solutions. Of those homeowners who are offered zoning solutions, not enough choose it. This is really surprising given that a home with multiple zones allows homeowners far more comfort and control than a home with one zone. The main reasons for under-adoption of multi-zoning systems? Contractors cited the cost and hassle of having to install and configure traditional multi-zoning solutions, a process which, before Ecovent, required cutting into walls and ducts in retrofit applications. Even in new construction, builders told us that configuration of traditional multi-zoning systems is a challenge. In comparison, Ecovent’s installation and configuration is incredibly straightforward. You literally launch an app and follow the easy instructions.

We also fielded very different questions from HVAC professionals compared to the questions we received at CES. A common question was how we address the issue of excess static pressure within the HVAC system. The buildup of static pressure within an HVAC system should be monitored intelligently. Excess pressure can cause HVAC equipment to operate less efficiently and in some circumstances, can even cause damage to it. For those who are less familiar with our system of smart vents and sensors, our system dynamically monitors static pressure within the duct to ensure that vents are only closed to the extent it would be safe for the system.

Maintaining the safety, integrity and efficiency of HVAC system is a primary concern of Ecovent, so we sometimes forget why makers of other vents would strive for anything less. However, we did receive feedback from industry professionals who told us that they’ve come across makers of other motorized vents. When contractors asked them about how their motorized vents address the issue of static pressure within ducts, they apparently were simply not able to provide answers that made sense.

Finally, we do have a confession - AHR was lots of fun. First off, folks in the HVAC industry are incredibly friendly and good natured. They were receptive to our product and also really inquisitive. They were not shy about asking questions at all. In regards to them being good natured - AHR is also definitely a social event for a lot of folks in the industry who only get to see each other once a year. Exhibitors were handing out drinks and 5 p.m. was definitely beer o’clock at the expo!

Still not convinced that AHR is fun? The organizers of the expo brought in Mariachis to promote AHR in Guadalajara, complete with complimentary tequila shots. I personally don’t need any convincing. Hasta pronto, Guadalajara!