A' Design Awards open 2026 HVAC products competition

A' Design Award & Competition has opened entries for its 2026 International Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Products Design Awards, inviting designers, manufacturers and engineers worldwide. The competition highlights HVAC products launched within the last 10 years and offers winners a prize package, media exposure and recognition in Italy.

Why it matters: - The competition gives HVAC designers and manufacturers a global platform to showcase products tied to indoor comfort, energy efficiency and environmental performance. - Winners receive promotional tools and media distribution that can amplify exposure for both products and companies. - The awards focus attention on climate control design at a time when building performance and efficiency are central industry priorities.

What happened: - A' Design Award & Competition launched the call for entries for the A' International Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Products Design Awards 2026. - The awards are open to HVAC system designers, industrial designers, HVAC brands, manufacturers, engineers, product designers, mechanical engineers, industrial design studios, component makers, contractors, construction management companies, architectural firms, building engineers, engineering consultants, and R&D companies worldwide. - Eligible products are HVAC and climate control works developed within the last 10 years. - The competition is based in Como, Italy.

The details: - The contest uses a two-phase process that starts with a complimentary preliminary evaluation. - Entrants can register and submit work for a preliminary score before moving on to nomination. - A nominal fee applies for entries that advance to nomination. - Entries are judged anonymously by an international jury of more than 300 academics, HVAC engineers, industrial designers, architects, mechanical engineers and building technology specialists. - Evaluation is based on technical excellence, energy performance, innovation and design quality. - Eligible entries include heat pumps, air conditioners, ventilation systems, boilers, radiators, smart thermostats, HVAC components and indoor climate control solutions. - Sub-category information is available in the category listing. - The entry deadline is Sept. 30, 2026. - Winners will be announced May 1, 2027. - Professional-edition laureates receive the A' Design Prize, which includes PR, marketing and publicity tools. - The prize package also includes a Design Excellence Certificate, lifetime use of the winner logo, a yearbook of best designs, exhibitions in Italy, an award trophy, an invitation to the gala night, translation into foreign languages, entry to Prime Clubs, and inclusion in World Design Rankings, Designer Rankings, HVAC Design Classifications and Design Legends platforms. - Laureates also receive an exclusive interview for the Designer Interviews website and press kits. - The press kits include the award announcement release, design images, photographs of the designer, designer and client logos, high-resolution visuals and a portfolio preview of other projects. - Press kits will be distributed to thousands of accredited press members, and dozens of press partners have already agreed to publish selected winning projects. - The press kit preparation, distribution service and A' Design Prize are free for laureates. - Past winners are available at the winners page. - Registrations are available at the entry page.

Between the lines: - The awards are designed to do more than recognize design quality; they are built to turn a win into a marketing package. - The size of the jury and the anonymous review process are meant to reinforce credibility for a competition that spans technical and design disciplines. - The emphasis on products developed in the past decade suggests the contest is aimed at current market-ready innovation rather than legacy work.

What's next: - HVAC teams interested in competing need to submit entries before the Sept. 30, 2026 deadline. - The next key milestone is the May 1, 2027 announcement of results. - Winning projects will then move into the prize, press and publicity process tied to the A' Design Awards program.

The bottom line: - A' Design Awards is using its 2026 HVAC contest to recruit global entrants and package winners with recognition, publicity and industry visibility.