CFR, the world’s first stainless steel condensing boiler capable of being installed in a Category I vent, has been announced as the winner of the 2025 AHR Innovation Award in the Heating category. This prestigious accolade, co-sponsored by AHR Expo, ASHRAE, and AHRI, recognizes groundbreaking HVACR products that redefine industry standards. The award underscores the potential of CFR to reshape the commercial retrofit market and pave the way toward building decarbonization by offering a cost-effective, high-efficiency solution that does not require expensive venting upgrades.
Designed specifically for commercial retrofit applications, CFR is engineered to deliver superior energy savings and enhanced performance reliability, all while meeting stringent local energy mandates. Its compact design, coupled with up to 87.6% thermal efficiency, allows CFR to exceed efficiency standards while maintaining dry flue gas and reusing existing Category I or Type B venting. This makes it a highly attractive option for facility managers seeking to upgrade their systems without incurring the often prohibitive installation costs that usually comes when switching from non-condensing to high-efficiency boiler systems.
A Visionary Solution for Evolving Market Needs
As building regulations continue to tighten in response to climate change and energy efficiency goals, products like CFR are paving the way for greater decarbonization in the HVACR industry. The AHR Innovation Award further validates the importance of CFR’s advanced design, which helps clients comply with current energy mandates while optimizing performance.
Christian Zapata, Product Manager for CFR at AERCO, commented on the significance of the award:
“We’re honored that CFR was recognized by the AHR Innovation Awards. What sets CFR apart is its ability to address a critical pain point for commercial retrofits – delivering high efficiency without costly venting modifications. At AERCO, we’re deeply committed to innovation because it allows us to create solutions that not only improve system performance but also align with the global shift toward sustainability and using our limited resources in a more efficient way.”
Pushing the Boundaries of Innovation
The AHR Innovation Awards celebrate products that push the boundaries of what is possible in the HVACR sector, and CFR exemplifies this ethos. As the HVACR industry evolves to meet the demands of modern buildings, CFR offers a game-changing solution for retrofitting older systems, allowing facilities to achieve efficiency improvements with minimal disruption. Its recognition as a finalist and eventual winner of the award signals its potential to lead the industry toward a more sustainable future. To learn more about CFR and its features, visit the CFR product page.
About AHR Innovation Awards
Co-sponsored by AHR Expo, ASHRAE, and AHRI, the AHR Innovation Awards spotlight the most inventive and effective products in HVACR, driving progress and promoting energy-efficient, sustainable solutions.