What is the Energy Efficiency and Retrofit Expo at ISH China & CIHE?
The Energy Efficiency and Retrofit Expo is a premier platform within ISH China & CIHE focused on scalable building-performance upgrades. It showcases proven strategies—such as lighting retrofits (for example, replacing T12 lamps with T8 lamps with documented savings up to 40% as seen at the ADA County Expo in Idaho), building insulation improvements, high-efficiency HVAC system upgrades, and smart energy management systems for real-time optimization. Backed by industry associations and energy service companies (including members of the National Association of Energy Service Companies), the Expo connects decision-makers with solutions that deliver measurable ROI. The 2026 ISH China & CIHE edition is expected to span 8 halls with approximately 110,000 square meters of exhibition space, featuring around 1,300 exhibitors and welcoming about 78,000 visitors.
Energy Efficiency and Retrofit Expo: Overview
Premier showcase for lighting retrofits, insulation, high-efficiency HVAC upgrades, and smart energy management within ISH China & CIHE.
Energy Efficiency and Retrofit Expo: Where Building Performance Meets HVAC Innovation
At the Energy Efficiency and Retrofit Expo, attendees find practical pathways to reduce energy use and carbon: high-efficacy lighting replacements, envelope and insulation enhancements, next-gen HVAC retrofits (from heat pumps to condensing systems), and integrated energy and building management platforms. In recent years, ISH China & CIHE is widely regarded as the most extensive HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning), plumbing, and home comfort trade show in Asia. As a key feature of ISH China & CIHE, the Expo combines product showcases, case studies, and matchmaking to turn retrofit goals into funded, deliverable projects.
Key Benefits
- Actionable retrofit playbooks with verified case studies (lighting, insulation, HVAC optimization, smart energy management).
- Direct access to ESCOs, OEMs, and solution integrators for faster scoping, procurement, and delivery.
- Data-driven tools for measurement and verification to de-risk investments and prove ROI.
Considerations
- The breadth of solutions requires pre-planning to prioritize projects and schedules.
- Complex retrofits may need audits and phased capital planning to execute efficiently.
Why It's Essential
- It converts energy-saving ambitions into bankable projects by uniting technologies, funding partners, and implementation expertise.
Heating Solutions
Retrofit-ready innovations: heat pumps, condensing boilers, advanced controls, hydronic balancing, fan coils, and efficient heat distribution to cut energy use and emissions.
Heating Solutions: Efficiency-First Retrofits at ISH China & CIHE
Heating Solutions showcases retrofit pathways from legacy systems to high-efficiency operations: hybrid and all-electric heat pumps, condensing wall-hung boilers, low-temperature distribution, variable-speed pumps, and advanced controls. Visitors can evaluate burners, heat exchangers, and thermal storage strategies that improve seasonal performance while enabling demand response and grid-interactive buildings.
Key Benefits
- End-to-end upgrades—from plant room to terminals—improving seasonal efficiency and comfort.
- Smart controls and zoning to optimize load matching and reduce operating costs.
- Global vendor access for proven retrofit components, kits, and project references.
Considerations
- System integration and commissioning are critical to achieve modeled savings.
- Structural or electrical constraints may impact the choice between heat pump and boiler solutions.
Why It's Essential
- It aligns practical retrofit options with decarbonization goals and real-world building constraints.
Energy Solutions
Integrated energy management, metering, and storage with renewables, hydrogen, solar, and biomass to accelerate low-carbon retrofits and resilience.
Energy Solutions: Driving Sustainable Retrofits at ISH China & CIHE
Energy Solutions highlights metering and submetering, building and energy management platforms, and thermal/electrical storage that pair with solar, hydrogen-ready equipment, and biomass. The focus is on orchestrating loads, verifying savings, and enabling peak-shaving and resilience—key pillars of performance-based retrofit programs.
Key Benefits
- Unified data and controls to optimize multi-system retrofits and validate outcomes.
- Storage and renewables integration for load shifting and carbon reduction.
- Networking with innovators in smart grids, DERs, and building-to-grid strategies.
Considerations
- Advanced solutions may require specialized integration and analytics expertise.
- Upfront investment can be higher, though lifecycle savings and incentives improve payback.
Why It's Essential
- It provides the digital backbone and distributed energy assets that make deep retrofits durable and measurable.
Water Solutions
Efficient pumps, piping, valves, and water management to cut energy use and losses in HVAC and plumbing retrofits.
Water Solutions: Efficient Infrastructure for Retrofit Success
Water Solutions covers high-efficiency pumps with variable-speed drives, durable pipes and fittings, and precision valves for balancing and control. Upgrading water-side components reduces pumping energy, improves heat transfer, limits leaks, and supports low-temperature hydronic retrofits.
Key Benefits
- Lower pumping energy and improved system stability through right-sized, controlled equipment.
- Leak detection and durable materials that extend system life and reduce maintenance.
- Reliable sourcing for code-compliant, performance-tested components.
Considerations
- Specifications can be complex; proper selection and commissioning are essential.
- Local standards and approvals must be observed in retrofit designs.
Why It's Essential
- Robust water-side upgrades unlock meaningful efficiency gains in both HVAC and plumbing systems.
Comfort Solutions
Occupant-centric retrofits with five-constant systems, fresh air, and advanced purification to elevate IAQ and comfort while saving energy.
Comfort Solutions: Better IAQ, Lower Energy at ISH China & CIHE
Comfort Solutions integrates temperature, humidity, airflow, cleanliness, and freshness via demand-controlled ventilation, high-efficiency filtration, and advanced purification. Paired with sensors and smart controls, these retrofits enhance health and well-being while aligning energy use with occupancy.
Key Benefits
- Improved indoor air quality with demand-based ventilation and high-performance filtration.
- Sensor-driven controls that adapt to occupancy, reducing wasted energy.
- Holistic solutions that balance comfort, health, and operating cost.
Considerations
- Design and integration complexity may require multidisciplinary coordination.
- Benefits can depend on accurate sensing, calibration, and ongoing maintenance.
Why It's Essential
- It elevates occupant experience while delivering quantifiable energy and operational savings.
Energy Efficiency and Retrofit Expo Section Comparison
Use this quick comparison to navigate the Energy Efficiency and Retrofit Expo and related ISH China & CIHE sections, identifying where to source technologies, meet partners, and validate retrofit strategies aligned to your objectives.
| Section No. | Exhibition Section | Key Focus | Key Products | Target Visitor | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Energy Efficiency and Retrofit Expo Overview | Building Performance & Retrofits | Lighting, Insulation, HVAC Upgrades, Smart EMS | Building Owners, ESCOs, Policymakers | Actionable, ROI-driven retrofits |
| 2 | Heating Solutions | Energy Efficiency & Comfort | Boilers, Heat Pumps, Smart Heating, etc. | Manufacturers, Installers, Developers | Sustainable heating innovations |
| 3 | Energy Solutions | Renewable & Storage | Solar, Hydrogen, Heat Storage, Biomass, etc. | Green Tech Innovators, Policy Makers | Future-proof energy systems |
| 4 | Water Solutions | Plumbing & Sanitation | Pumps, Pipes, Valves, Drainage, etc. | Engineers, Contractors, Plumbers | Reliable water infrastructure |
| 5 | Comfort Solutions | Indoor Environment Quality | Five-constant System, Fresh Air, Water/Air Purification, etc. | Architects, Designers, Homeowners | Enhanced living environments |
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Efficiency and Retrofit Expo
The Energy Efficiency and Retrofit Expo is a dedicated showcase within ISH China & CIHE that focuses on high-impact building upgrades across lighting retrofits, insulation improvements, HVAC system modernization, and smart energy management. In recent years, ISH China & CIHE is widely regarded as the most extensive HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning), plumbing, and home comfort trade show in Asia. The Expo connects stakeholders—building owners, ESCOs, policymakers, and solution providers—to accelerate cost-effective, measurable energy savings.
The fair features dedicated pavilions—such as the Overseas Area, German Area, and Canadian Pavilion—that provide global solutions and expertise for retrofit projects. The Gas Wall-hung Boilers Industry G20 Products Section showcases leading brands including Vaillant, Bosch, and Viessmann, making it easier to specify proven, high-efficiency systems.