▲ KD Navien booth at the AHR EXPO 2026 (photo courtesy of KD Navien)

[Feb. 4, 2026] Optimize Living & Environment—KD Navien participated in “AHR EXPO 2026,” North America’s largest HVAC exhibition, showcasing energy-hybrid technology that maximizes efficiency through the "effective use of electricity and gas. It presented high-efficiency technologies combining electricity and gas, including the “Dual Fuel Hybrid Water Heater” and “Navien HVAC System,” along with products tailored to North American environments such as “commercial boilers” and “water treatment systems.”

AHR EXPO (The International Air-Conditioning Heating Refrigerating Exposition) 2026 is held at the Las Vegas Convention Center from February 2 (Mon) to 4 (Wed), and KD Navien is the first in the Korean industry to participate for 17 consecutive years.

KD Navien unveiled energy hybrid solutions combining electricity and gas at this exhibition. First, the “Dual Fuel Hybrid Water Heater” is the first heat pump water heater in the US storage water heater market capable of operating with both electricity and gas at the same time. Under normal conditions, it minimizes energy consumption through electric heat pump operation, while in situations of increased power demand or hot water usage, it uses gas together to ensure a stable hot water supply.

The “Navien HVAC System,” an HVAC solution, also operates on the same hybrid method. In the United States, HVAC systems generally rely on “heat pumps” and “furnaces,” using either gas or electric heat pumps depending on conditions. In contrast, the Navien HVAC System uses gas to supplement heating output when a heat pump alone is insufficient due to low outdoor temperatures, while maintaining the high efficiency of the heat pump. With top-tier turn-down ratio (TDR) technology, it optimizes energy efficiency by precisely controlling gas usage to match heating demand.

The heat pump water heater, HPWH, launched last June, was also exhibited. The product combines high efficiency and user convenience through heat pump technology, earning favorable evaluations from consumers and contractors alike. It features a stainless steel tank for increased durability and operates more quietly than rival products. In particular, it provides rapid hot water supply through Navien’s dedicated “recirculation pump” that circulates heating water. It also allows piping connections from both the top and the sides and supports over-the-air (OTA) software updates, making installation and maintenance convenient.

The “NFB700-C” boiler, designed for commercial facilities such as buildings, also drew strong attention from attendees. It enhances durability and thermal efficiency through a “stainless fire tube” heat exchanger that heats water using exhaust gas heat, and achieves high energy efficiency through a uniform air-fuel mixture. This is designed to fully open on three sides, significantly enhancing maintenance accessibility for installers.

The “WEC Water Treatment System,” released last year, was also presented. In the United States, many regions have high levels of hard water, making water softeners essential, but traditional salt-based softeners have limitations such as the inconvenience of salt refilling and a slippery water texture. In particular, due to environmental pollution caused by chloride wastewater, their use is restricted in some states such as California. In contrast, KD Navien’s WEC Water Treatment System uses capacitive deionization (CDI) technology to electrically remove hardness-causing substances such as calcium and magnesium, as well as ionic contaminants in water. This enhances water quality while minimizing scale formation in pipelines and household appliances. It is gaining attention as an eco-friendly next-generation water treatment solution by eliminating the need for salt and reducing consumer inconvenience.

“At this exhibition, we are presenting hybrid-based high-efficiency HVAC systems and water solutions tailored to the changing energy landscape driven by renewable energy expansion. We will continue to innovate to deliver optimized living environments for North American customers,” said Kim Taek-hyeon, President of KD Navien USA.