The HVAC/R industry’s largest trade show made a solid comeback after a one-year, COVID-induced hiatus. Las Vegas hosted the 2022 AHR trade show January 31-February 2. The city, which depends heavily on conventions, seemed thrilled to have heating and cooling professionals back to visit and exhibit.
There was widespread, cautious optimism concerning turnout at the event, given the pandemic, current travel costs, and the fact that contractors are busier now than ever. When the show floor opened on Monday, all concerns were assuaged.
“In spite of the challenges – Covid, snowstorms in the Northeast, Great Lakes and Colorado, and ice storms elsewhere – traffic exceeded our expectations,” said Chris Mitchell, Vice President of Wholesale Product Sales at Heating Solutions Sales Company (HSSC), representing U.S. Boiler Company. “It was apparent that the visitors who made the effort to come to the show really wanted to be there, and we were satisfied that we had the opportunity to debut the new Alta and SteamMax boilers for excited customers.”
Above: Day one was well attended at the 2022 AHR Expo in Las Vegas.
Day one yielded solid traffic. Tuesday started in similar fashion with traffic ebbing in the afternoon. As is usually the case, attendance was slower on Wednesday, giving vendors, press, distributors and dealers a chance to catch up face-to-face for the first time in two years.
“Attendees and vendors overall were having more fun on the show floor and really seemed happy to talk with a live audience for the first time in two years,” continued Mitchell.
Despite workforce and material shortages over the past two years, manufacturers debuted several innovative products in Las Vegas. U.S. Boiler Company’s booth featured three main displays: the all-new, gas-fired SteamMax steam boiler, the revolutionary, gas-adaptive Alta condensing boiler, and a demo of the upcoming boiler servicing app.
Did you miss out on the expo? Here’s a recap of U.S. Boiler’s featured products.
SteamMax Boiler with Drop-Header Kit
The SteamMax featured in the booth was a five-section, 200 MBH model complete with U.S. Boiler’s pre-manufactured drop-header kit.
Contractors drawn to the SteamMax were primarily from NY and New England, though some from the northern Midwest had questions as well. Several veteran steam installers observed that the SteamMax – which was engineered and produced to combat corrosion in harsh water conditions – represents the first dramatic progression of residential and commercial steam boiler technology in nearly half a decade!
Above: Dave Hansen, HSSC’s Product Marketing Manager, discusses the SteamMax boiler’s pre-cut, near boiler piping kit.
Considering the wide capacity range available in the SteamMax line (75-550 MBH), the trade was happy to view that the boiler is available with steam risers from intermediate sections. The SteamMax is also available assembled or knocked-down, and is currently shipping.
New Alta Heat-only and Combi Models
Even more popular among booth visitors were the three Alta high efficiency boiler models on display. The first was a 136/120 MBH Alta Combi, which is already shipping to dealers. Second was the 120 MBH heat-only Alta boiler, which will be available in March. Along with the 120 MBH heat-only Alta, a 150 and 180 MBH heat-only Alta model will also be available. Finally, the booth featured the much-anticipated 200/150 MBH Alta Combi. The larger Alta Combi will also begin shipping in March.
According to Dave Hansen, HSSC’s Product Marketing Manager, who worked the booth for the entire show, the Alta has seven unique attributes that show-goers appreciated:
- Instant, three-sided, unobstructed service access.
- Gas Adaptive, automatic combustion analysis, which greatly reduces installation time.
- Rate-based, sensor-less reset achieves outdoor reset accuracy without drilling, wiring or installation of an outdoor sensor.
- Two-step, two-minute LP conversion with switch and display entry saves labor avoids the cost of purchasing conversion kits.
- An Alta FastPipe primary-secondary manifold is included free with combi models to reduce plumbing labor. A primary-secondary manifold kit accessory may be purchased for heat-only Alta models.
- Fast burner-on design including a flow sensor perfectly serves combi applications with instant DHW production.
- Two-inch venting, even on larger boilers, reduces contractor material costs and improves home’s exterior appearance.
Above: Chris Mitchell, HSSC’s Vice President of Wholesale Product Sales, demonstrates the Alta boiler’s three-sided, open service access.
“The Alta is so simple, but at the same time, it’s so technically advanced,” said Mitchell. “Being able to touch and feel the components inside the open cabinet of the Alta helped attendees fully understand its capabilities. They commented on the boiler’s three-sided access, component layout and the amount of room inside the cabinet to work.”
USB-Connect App
Featured next to the various Alta boiler models was a demo of U.S. Boiler Company’s upcoming boiler servicing app, USB-Connect. The app, designed to connect directly to the U.S. Boiler’s high efficiency products via Bluetooth, will allow heating professionals to readily review a connected boiler’s data, as well as store site photos and export service reports. Users can also utilize a host of helpful application wizards, including start up, service, and troubleshooting. In addition, users will be able to make boiler control adjustments through Bluetooth with the application. The app will be available later this year.
If you attended AHR Show 2022 in Las Vegas and visited the U.S. Boiler Company booth, thank you! If you didn’t, we look forward to seeing you in Atlanta!