The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) hosted a panel discussion on September 30, 2026, during AHR Expo Mexico in Guadalajara, focusing on the role of standards and equipment certification in HVACR engineering projects. The AHRI Talks LATAM session brought together consulting engineers, manufacturers, and industry representatives to discuss equipment selection, energy efficiency, and project performance.
Panelists emphasized the importance of specifying certified HVACR equipment to support manufacturer-stated performance, energy efficiency, and occupant comfort. They particularly recommended certification for mission-critical applications, including cleanrooms, hospitals, and data centers.
The discussion also addressed how consulting engineers can communicate equipment costs to investors. Panelists recommended presenting both initial investment and long-term operating costs, including a five-year return on investment (ROI) projection. They also encouraged post-project verification to help building owners assess actual returns.
AHRI Senior Director of Global Services Michael LaGiglia highlighted the association’s technical resources. “The AHRI Directory lists over seven million products and can be searched by product line, certified ratings, or brand, allowing engineers to find the information they need, when they need it. AHRI also provides mapped ratings for many programs, which certify the entire operating range of equipment,” he said.
The voluntary AHRI Certification Program verifies that HVACR and water heating products perform according to manufacturers’ published claims. Certified products undergo annual random selection and testing by third-party laboratories.
AHRI Latin American Regional Manager Constantino Espinoza said the association plans to continue initiatives that raise awareness of its certification resources among consulting engineers. AHRI represents more than 300 manufacturers of HVACR and water heating equipment worldwide.
