Decarbonization, A2L refrigerants, AI and plumbing, building automation and controls, workforce development are just a few of the trending topics in the HVACR and plumbing industries that will be on discussed and on full display at the upcoming AHR Expo, held Feb. 10-12, in Orlando, Florida.

The AHR Expo brings the best minds in the business to the same floor, notes Max Rohr, director of marketing and education for Caleffi North America.

For our customers, they can walk around and see all the newest plumbing and hydronic system building blocks on the market," he says. "More importantly, they can have conversations with industry experts about how to apply these new pieces so all the stakeholders in a system win."

Caleffi is just one of the anticipated 1,865 exhibitors displaying new tech and products during the 2025 AHR Expo. On top of that and the vast educational program, the popular Podcast Pavillion will also be returning this year.

"We're excited to celebrate five years of Podcast Pavilion and to reflect at its growth since debuting at our last visit to Orlando back in 2020," notes Nicole Bush, director of marketing for the AHR Expo. "In general, communication across sectors has evolved in so many ways and it's exciting to see these conversations and partnerships come to fruition."

Showcasing industry trends

Decarbonization and electrification continue to dominate the show floor with more and more energy-efficient and sustainable solutions being showcased by exhibitors.

"The HVACR industry, and heat pump technology more specifically, is in a unique position for market growth, innovation and education as residential electrification increases the demand to offer products that can assist in battling the effects of climate change, all while providing opportunities to increase the resiliency of residential power," says Doug Bougher, director of applied sales for LG Electronics USA in the 2025 AHR Trends Report. "Heat pump technology is poised to be a critical component to aide in decarbonization efforts, so the HVACR industry has an opportunity to bring solutions to market that can help benefit the environment while satisfying owners’ comfort expectations and also to educate contractors on the transition to a cleaner energy future."

PHCC — National Association CEO Cindy Sheridan points to fuel of choice as a trending topic in the 2025 Trends Report.

"Our nation’s energy portfolio must remain diverse as we transition to less carbon-intensive solutions," she notes. "Regulatory changes to consumer water heaters, furnaces and boilers are concerning to our members, who cite increased costs to convert to these new products particularly when retrofits are necessary to accommodate those products.

"Certain states, specifically New York, California, and Massachusetts continue to take a more aggressive posture toward energy decarbonization policies," Sheridan adds. "PHCC continues to work with industry stakeholders to identify ideal solutions and understand consumer impacts of federal and state decarbonization policies."

Rohr also concurs that regional fuel source preferences and refrigeration trends are moving fast.

"The most consistent, widest area of opportunity is in the energy-efficient distribution of water," he says. "Balancing technology in plumbing and hydronics is universally important and more choices are available now than ever before.

"No single valve is perfect for every job," he adds. "A big win for the Caleffi team is to have face-to-face conversations that give our customers more confidence as to when/why they select one product technology over another. More importantly, we spend a lot of time listening for pain points that exist in the industry, so we can develop products and training materials to help."

Educational opportunities

This year’s AHR Expo Educational Program will feature more than 119 free seminars, as well as a robust panel series lineup, and 148 New Product Theater presentations. The expo also features 59 for credit sessions — for a cost — allowing professionals to earn valuable Professional Development Hours (PDHs). By attending these sessions, contractors can sharpen their skills, stay ahead of market demands, and discover innovative ways to enhance their services and grow their businesses.Topics really fun the gamit here for all sectors of HVACR and professionals at all skill levels will find sessions for their interests.

In addition, Caleffi will be hosting the Carlson-Holohan Industry Award of Excellence ceremony at its booth on Monday, Feb. 10, at 3 p.m. In the spirit of Gil Carlson and the vision of Dan Holohan and Bean, the Carlson-Holohan award was conceived in 2006. The award is presented every two years to a nominee with attributes including technical mastery and a passion for hydronic technologies, demonstrated leadership as an educator and mentor, and an aptitude for cultivating fundraising opportunities for industry causes. Learn more about how the award came to be in this brief video by founder Bean.

"I’m excited for the Carlson-Holohan Industry Award of Excellence ceremony," Rohr says. "We will have all of the hydronics VIPs in the same place to pass this lifetime achievement award to the next recipient. It is a beautiful moment when you can get the experts who have devoted their lives to industry education all in the same photo."

Rohr adds, "The AHR Expo is an important intersection for the world we work and live in. Every year, I leave inspired."

"As always we're excited to see the incredible advancement in product and technology and the solutions being provided across the industry," Bush says. "As the global market shifts to demand more of our industry, it's interesting to see how manufacturers deliver new solutions in innovative ways. Additionally, with regulation changes, manufacturers are working to provide solutions with A2Ls in mind. AI and other smart technologies are facilitating the relationship we maintain with the built world and affording more insight into efficiency and functionality. Attendees can expect to see new ways of thinking and design in new products and tech."

Attendees are encouraged to download the App to help plan and navigate their time at the show. They can download for iOS and Android here. For more information, visit www.ahrexpo.com.