Efforts in Cutting-Edge Technology, Workforce Development Initiatives and Accessible Energy-Efficient Solutions Take Center Stage in Orlando As demand for high-efficiency, electrified heating solutions grows in North America, Midea continues to lead innovation in heat pump technology and is focusing on making these solutions more accessible and easier to adopt. Midea continues to demonstrate its global leadership Read more
Industry News
Efforts in Cutting-Edge Technology, Workforce Development Initiatives and Accessible Energy-Efficient Solutions Take Center Stage in Orlando
As demand for high-efficiency, electrified heating solutions grows in North America, Midea continues to lead innovation in heat pump technology and is focusing on making these solutions more accessible and easier to adopt. Midea continues to demonstrate its global leadership in HVAC innovation and left a lasting impression at AHR Expo 2025 by hosting an inspiring panel on “Heat Pump Trends & Commercialization.” Midea also received Intertek’s first Global CVP Compliance Certificate for Air Conditioners.
(Pictured left to right are Clifton Beck, Digital Media Manager and Podcast Host, ESCO Institute; Carl Bloomfield, Intertek Global Quality and Accreditation Vice President; Rick Huddle, Resource Innovations Utility Consultant and Heat Pump Researcher; Phil Huang, Head of Midea RAC North America; and David Rames, Senior Product Manager, Midea America Corp.)
Heat Pump Trends & Commercialization Panel
On the first day of the show, Midea hosted industry leaders from Intertek, ESCO Group and Resource Innovations in a compelling panel discussion of heat pump trends and the issues and opportunities for commercialization. The panel explored the future of heat pump adoption and regulatory challenges and underscored the growing role of policy, incentives and industry collaboration in scaling heat pump adoption. Held in front of a full audience of contractors, distributors and media, the panel reinforced Midea’s commitment to playing a leadership role in the industry and making high-performance systems accessible and practical for contractors and homeowners alike.
After participating with Intertek in the panel discussion about heat pump commercialization requirements, Midea was honored with Intertek’s first Global CVP Compliance Certificate for Air Conditioners. Midea’s EVOX All Climate Heat Pump* is considered one of the best heat pumps in the industry, setting new benchmarks in extreme climate performance and ease of installation. As a result, Phil Huang, head of Midea RAC North America, accepted the Intertek award on Midea’s behalf, stating, “This recognition reflects our dedication to innovation and our mission to make energy-efficient technology accessible to all.”
AHR Expo Highlights: Showcasing Cutting-Edge HVAC Solutions
Midea’s booth at AHR Expo 2025 featured the brand’s latest heat pump innovations, focusing on energy efficiency, reliability and ease of installation. Midea’s heat pump solutions serve a wide range of applications—from the Packaged Window Heat Pump (PWHP), designed for multi-family buildings and urban retrofits, to the Heat Pump Water Heater (HPWH), an energy-efficient alternative for residential water heating. These solutions are built to enhance performance in a variety of climates while reducing energy costs for homeowners and businesses alike. Attendees were introduced to a variety of advanced solutions:
- EVOX All Climate Heat Pump system: Engineered for all climates, this system features Enhanced Vapor Injection (EVI) technology, delivering up to 100% heating output at -31°F/-35°C and continuous operation down to -40°F/-40°C and up to 100% cooling output at 140°F/60°C and continuous operation up to 149°F/65°C. The complementary modular Midea EVOX G3 block-n-lock air handler unit (AHU) is designed with contractors and customers in mind with simplified installation, and a SEER2 rating of up to 19, delivering year-round energy savings.
- Heat Pump Water Heater (HPWH): Adopting inverter technology and source air to produce domestic hot water is a major key to increased energy efficiency, and with a 400% efficiency rating, the Midea HPWH can save homeowners up to 75% on energy costs. It provides up to 91 gallons of hot water in the first hour, operates quietly (45 dBA), and is eligible for most U.S. and Canadian rebate programs (rebates vary depending on state/region).
- Packaged Window Heat Pump (PWHP): Ideal for multi-family and multi-zone buildings, the Midea PWHP offers compact, efficient heating and cooling. It provides 100% heating at 5°F, operates at temperatures as low as -13°F. It is also a key part of New York State’s Clean Heat for All Challenge and the State’s decarbonization and energy efficiency targets and goal of making modern heat pump technology more accessible – one of Midea’s core missions.
- Multi-Zone Systems: Offering flexible heating and cooling for up to six zones, these heat pump systems include great options including the IN One-Way Cassette and All Easy Pro high wall split. These units are ideal for homes where temperature control in individual rooms is desired. They achieve SEER2 ratings of up to 25 and operate efficiently across a wide temperature range (-22°F to 122°F).
Midea’s innovations reflect a customer-first approach, ensuring that homeowners and contractors have access to solutions that simplify installation while delivering long-term energy savings. Each showcased product, from central ducted heat pumps to compact multi-zone systems, was designed with efficiency, adaptability and user convenience in mind.
AHR Expo Workforce Development Panel and New Product Theater Presentation
On the second day of the Expo, David Rames delivered a compelling presentation on “Revolutionizing HVAC: The EVOX G3 Heat Pump System.” He detailed the product’s superior performance, energy efficiency and contractor-friendly features. Rames emphasized how the EVOX G3 system simplifies installations while providing reliable heating in any climate and helping homeowners reduce their energy consumption and operational costs. The talk also underscored the importance of collaboration between manufacturers, regulators and industry leaders to drive mainstream heat pump adoption. As one of the key contributors, Midea shared insights on balancing product innovation with evolving market demands and policy incentives.
Educational Programming: Empowering the HVAC Workforce
Midea also reinforced its commitment to education and workforce development at the AHR Expo. This year, Midea hosted numerous training sessions and discussed its collaboration with numerous trade schools across North America and efforts in providing both contractors and students with hands-on experience in advanced heat pump technology. As part of this initiative, Midea has donated HVAC units and other equipment to Orange Technical College in Orlando to support hands-on training for its trade students. This donation underscores Midea’s dedication to fostering talent and building the future of the industry.
On the final day of the show, Midea hosted local trade school students for a tour of the booth. David Rames also participated on the AHR Expo-hosted Workforce Development Panel, where he and other industry leaders discussed the importance of preparing the next generation of HVAC professionals. Beyond the classroom, Midea continues to partner with contractors, influencers and media outlets to expand industry knowledge, raise awareness of the benefits of today’s innovative heat pump technology, and foster greater adoption of energy-efficient HVAC solutions. Midea is committed to strengthening the HVAC workforce by investing in hands-on education and technical training. These initiatives help bridge the skills gap, ensuring that the next generation of professionals is equipped to install and maintain advanced heat pump systems.
(David Rames speaking with Orange Technical College students)
Consumer-Focused Benefits: Making Energy Efficiency Accessible
Midea is committed to making energy-efficient solutions accessible to more homeowners and participated in numerous meetings with key stakeholders, including the Consortium for Energy Efficiency, utilities and other leading organizations committed to the commercialization of advanced heat pump technologies. Midea continues to drive its product designs to help reduce energy bills and provide reliable performance in all climates. In addition, the company continues to work with utilities and municipalities to help ensure that consumers who purchase their products can be eligible for regional and federal incentives like the Inflation Reduction Act and Canada’s Greener Homes Grant.
Looking Ahead: Midea’s Vision for HVAC Innovation
Midea’s success at AHR Expo 2025 reflects its dedication to advancing energy-efficient HVAC solutions and supporting its stakeholders’ decarbonization goals. As the company’s engineering team in Louisville, KY, continues to invest in R&D, Midea remains focused on developing technologies that integrate seamlessly into everyday life, from smart connectivity features to solutions that enhance comfort and reduce energy consumption. Beyond product innovation, Midea is committed to workforce development and industry education, partnering with trade schools across the country to promote heat pump applications. The company plans to expand these efforts through collaboration with industry institutions, utilities, contractors and educational programs to raise awareness, provide installation training and equip professionals and consumers with the knowledge to adopt high-efficiency heating and cooling solutions. As Midea looks ahead, the company remains dedicated to developing breakthrough technologies, expanding workforce training initiatives and driving consumer education—ensuring that heat pump adoption continues to grow across North America.
Contractors and companies that are interested in becoming a Midea heat pump distributor or consumers seeking to upgrade to Midea’s heating and cooling solutions should call 1-888-MIDEA-NA (1-888-643-3262). For more information, visit www.mideacomfort.us.
Atlanta—Celebrating a century of excellence, innovation, and ingenuity, Rheem®, a leader in the water heating and HVAC/R industry, with manufacturing facilities in 88 countries, will showcase the culmination of 100 years of engineering at the 2025 AHR Expo. Rheem’s family of 50 global brands — including Rheem Heating & Cooling, Rheem Water Heating, Eemax®, Friedrich®, HTPG®, IBC™, Nordyne®, and Raypak® — will present Read more
Atlanta—Celebrating a century of excellence, innovation, and ingenuity, Rheem®, a leader in the water heating and HVAC/R industry, with manufacturing facilities in 88 countries, will showcase the culmination of 100 years of engineering at the 2025 AHR Expo. Rheem’s family of 50 global brands — including Rheem Heating & Cooling, Rheem Water Heating, Eemax®, Friedrich®, HTPG®, IBC™, Nordyne®, and Raypak® — will present a range of dependable, cutting-edge, and environmentally friendly product options designed for commercial and residential use.
Rheem CEO Chris Peel, joined by the company’s customers, partners, and employees, kicked off this major milestone event. As hundreds of attendees rallied together to toast to 100 years, Peel unveiled Rheem’s newly launched brand evolution, “Engineered for Life.” Synonymous with remarkable, reliable, and resilient products designed for everyday life, the branding update reflects Rheem’s 100-year legacy. With more than 500 active patents, in addition to revolutionary products, Rheem is known for a century of strong, meaningful collaboration with customers and partners.
Stop by the RIDGID booth to try out their latest drain cleaning, diagnostic, and pressing solutions ELYRIA, OHIO – February 11, 2025 – RIDGID®, a part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, announced their participation in the WWETT Show, Feb. 18-20, in Indianapolis. This year’s in-booth experience will include demos of a new game-changing handheld cordless drain Read more
Stop by the RIDGID booth to try out their latest drain cleaning, diagnostic, and pressing solutions
ELYRIA, OHIO – February 11, 2025 – RIDGID®, a part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, announced their participation in the WWETT Show, Feb. 18-20, in Indianapolis. This year’s in-booth experience will include demos of a new game-changing handheld cordless drain cleaner, along with their latest underground technology and pressing solutions, an exclusive show meetup for industry pros with the chance to win one of three RIDGID tools, and the first chance to enter to win a spot at the 2025 RIDGID Experience.
“WWETT will be the first place to experience our new K-46 Cordless SinkSnake™, a handheld drain cleaner that features an industry-first integrated, multi-position kickstand that alleviates the challenges of working under cramped vanities and in tubs,” said Jeff Albertini, product management director, underground technologies and licensing, RIDGID. “It’s been designed to significantly improve ergonomics when drain cleaning in sinks, tubs, vanities, and showers and our team is excited to be able to share it with those attending WWETT.”
Along with the K-46, RIDGID invites tradespeople to stop by the RIDGID booth (#2605) to experience their other drain cleaning, inspection, pipe rehabilitation, and pressing tools, including these latest solutions:
o NEW SeeSnake® microDRAIN APX CSx Via™ System – This kit features the SeeSnake microDRAIN APX, an inspection camera ideal for small pipes and tight turns with a flexible push cable and compact camera head to navigate small-diameter pipes, p-traps, and narrow bends where other systems struggle. Equipped with TruSense® technology and auto-image rotation, this inspection camera provides bright, clear images with real-time angle and orientation feedback. Paired with the CSx Via, the system offers a flexible, bring-your-own-screen solution to stream, capture, and share inspection images.
o FlexShaft® KM-1004 Milling Machine – This innovative hybrid milling machine provides heavy-duty milling and a wall-to-wall clean on 1 ¼ to 4-inch pipe up to 80 feet with unmatched efficiency. With cordless freedom, plug-in capability, first ever FlexShaft cable counter, and best-in-class durability, the FlexShaft KM-1004 Milling Machine allows users to adapt to tough jobsite conditions and makes in-field serviceability effortless.
o SeeSnake Mini Pro Inspection Camera with TruSense Technology – The first reel of its kind to provide digital self-leveling without mechanical rotation to maximize uptime, the small, yet rugged Mini Pro is designed to inspect up to 200 feet of 1 ½ to 8-inch pipe with its mid-flex push cable that can navigate hard 90-degree bends. Its innovative 25 mm digital self-leveling camera head always keeps the in-pipe image upright and, when paired with a TruSenseenabled monitor, the Mini Pro delivers the industry’s best in-pipe image with superior clarity, detail and fewer blown-out areas and sections of the pipe that are too dark to see.
o K-4310 FXP™ Drum Machine – The K-4310 features an industry-first cable counter that provides real-time, in-pipe cable distance in 3 to 10-inch lines for faster locating and diagnostics. Ideal for residential and commercial plumbing and drain cleaning projects, its powerful brushless DC motor spins at 230 RPM allowing you to tackle tough jobs with less required maintenance. The battery-powered K-4310 is also the newest addition to the FXP Technology Platform, delivering cordless freedom and powerful performance.
Other RIDGID drain cleaning, diagnostic, and press tools will also be available for demo including sectional machines, drum machines, jetters, SeeSnake® camera systems and locators.
Along with product demos, RIDGID is hosting a booth meetup on Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. where industry pros will have the chance to win a K-46 SinkSnake™, K9-204+ FlexShaft® Drain Cleaning Machine or microDRAIN APX and Via Kit. Additionally, the first day of the show will kick off the RIDGID Experience 2025 and the RIDGID WWETT booth will be the first opportunity for attendees to enter for their chance to win a spot on the eighth annual, all-expenses-paid trip to RIDGID headquarters. Throughout the show, attendees can also scan their badge to enter to win one of three K9-102+ FlexShaft Drain Cleaning Machines.
Thu, Feb 27, 2025 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM CST Register here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6255693841565296736?source=evite1 Coffee with Caleffi™ Complimentary Technical Training Webinar Plumbing Codes and Certificates: Safety Essentials Technical Content Level: Fundamentals Join us for the first Coffee with Caleffi of the year, featuring Chris DeMarco, Regional Field Manager for IAPMO in the Mid-Atlantic region. In this Read more
| Thu, Feb 27, 2025 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM CST |
Register here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6255693841565296736?source=evite1
Coffee with Caleffi™ Complimentary Technical Training Webinar
Plumbing Codes and Certificates: Safety Essentials
Technical Content Level: Fundamentals
Join us for the first Coffee with Caleffi of the year, featuring Chris DeMarco, Regional Field Manager for IAPMO in the Mid-Atlantic region. In this webinar, Chris will explore the critical role of codes, standards, and third-party certification in the plumbing and mechanical industry and why they are essential for safety, quality, and compliance. Participants will gain insights into:
→ How do codes ensure safety and quality?
→ What does an Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) do?
→ Why is third-party certification important?
→ How can professionals influence code development?
→ What are common code violation myths?
With more than eight years of experience at IAPMO, Chris began in Business Development, assisting manufacturers in navigating the complexities of Third-Party Certification. As Regional Manager for IAPMO’s Field Services, he fosters the adoption of IAPMO and ASSE Codes and Standards across his region while collaborating with industry partners, trade organizations, and various stakeholders. This session is an invaluable opportunity for anyone involved in plumbing and mechanical systems to understand the regulatory landscape that ensures safety, quality, and compliance.
Coffee with Caleffi technical training webinars are free and intended for contractors, designers and wholesalers. By submitting your webinar registration, you are consenting to email communications to keep you up-to-date on industry news. A Certificate of Attendance is emailed to attendees following the webinar for continuing education consideration.
Prizes include a 2025 Can Am Defender, a Traeger Grill and Malco Shopping Sprees Malco Tools, one of the nation’s leading solution developers and manufacturers of a variety of high-quality tools for the HVAC and building construction trades, today announced its 75th Anniversary Sweepstakes. Entrants have a chance at prizes including a 2025 Can Am Defender, a Traeger Read more
Prizes include a 2025 Can Am Defender, a Traeger Grill and Malco Shopping Sprees
Malco Tools, one of the nation’s leading solution developers and manufacturers of a variety of high-quality tools for the HVAC and building construction trades, today announced its 75th Anniversary Sweepstakes. Entrants have a chance at prizes including a 2025 Can Am Defender, a Traeger Grill and Omaha Steaks gift card, Malco $500 and $250 shopping sprees, as well as Malco’s Limited Edition Camouflage Andy™ Snips and C-RHEX® Cleanable, Reversible Hex Drivers.
“We are excited to celebrate Malco’s 75th anniversary with a sweepstakes that marks the legacy and longevity of our company and community,” said Rebecca Talbot, vice president of marketing at The Malco Group. “Our dedication to producing innovative, dependable and high-performance hand tools for the past 75 years has positioned us as a leading innovator and manufacturer in the industry. This sweepstakes is a great way to honor that legacy and provide trade professionals a chance to win outstanding prizes.”
Entrants can purchase* any new Malco tool from Feb. 3-April 3, 2025, and register the tool on Malco’s Sweepstakes website for a chance to win. There is a limit of one entry per day, up to 10 entries per person for the entire sweepstakes.
Malco’s 75th Anniversary Sweepstakes offers a range of prizes including:
- Grand Prize: 2025 Can-Am Defender with Flip Windshield – Hard Coated ($19,000 retail value)
- 1st Prize: Traeger Grill Ironwood 650 + $500 Omaha Steaks Gift Card
- 2nd Prize: $500 Malco Shopping Sprees (3 winners)
- 3rd Prize: $250 Malco Shopping Sprees (5 winners)
- Malco tools (350 winners)
The sweepstakes kicks off a year of celebration around Malco’s 75th anniversary. The company was founded in 1950 when Mark W. Keymer invented and manufactured a pipe crimper for installing sheet metal ductwork used in forced air heating systems. Today, Malco Tools offers hundreds of other innovative HVAC and building trade products.
Please visit www.malcosweepstakes.com for official rules and regulations and an alternate method of entry.
For more information about Malco Tools, visit www.malcotools.com.
*NO PURCH. NEC. Open to legal residents of 50 U.S./D.C., 18+. Void where prohibited. Begins 2/3/25 and ends 4/3/25. Subject to Rules incl. alternate methods of entry: https://tinyurl.com/ywehb9uc. Sponsor: The Malco Group dba as MalcoTools, Inc.