Australia's largest HVAC&R and building services exhibition, ARBS 2026, brought together manufacturers, industry leaders and technology providers from across the sector. Across the exhibition floor and seminar programme, four themes emerged consistently: electrification, connected systems, sustainability and digital intelligence. Many of these trends closely reflect the direction Haier has been investing in through connected living, high-performance electric solutions and technologies that support a lower-carbon future.
1. Electrification moves from ambition to action
The shift away from gas to fully electric systems was the dominant conversation at ARBS 2026. Seminar sessions explored practical pathways to all-electric buildings, while manufacturers showcased next-generation heat pump solutions using low-GWP refrigerants such as R290.
The message was clear: electrification is no longer a future aspiration. It's an active transition already underway. This trend aligns closely with Haier’s focus on high-performance electric solutions, including Monoblock heat pump water heaters, which support efficient hot water heating while contributing to broader decarbonisation goals.
2. Connected systems and energy management take centre stage
With buildings under increasing pressure to perform smarter, connected systems and energy management emerged as a critical theme. Solutions on display focused on helping users monitor, measure and manage energy consumption in real time.
Through SmartHQ™ and Connected Living, Haier is already supporting this shift towards greater control and connectivity. Expanded digital energy management capabilities planned for release later this year will provide even more visibility into home energy use and generation, helping households make more informed energy decisions.
3. Sustainability drives product innovation
Refrigerant sustainability remained a major focus, with the industry continuing its transition towards lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) and natural refrigerants.
Haier's Monoblock heat pump water heaters, which utilise R290 refrigerant, reflect this broader industry movement towards technologies designed to balance performance, efficiency and environmental responsibility.
4. Data and AI unlock new possibilities
From AI-enabled tools to advanced analytics platforms, ARBS 2026 highlighted how data is increasingly being transformed into actionable intelligence. Technologies focused on fault detection, diagnostics and performance optimisation demonstrated how digitalisation is helping create more responsive and efficient buildings. Together, these technologies are helping create buildings that are easier to operate, more efficient to run and better equipped to respond to changing user needs.
Haier Air Conditioning have recently been awarded the number one brand of AI air conditioner in the world in terms of retail sales volume in 2025 by Euromonitor.*
Looking ahead
ARBS 2026 reinforced that the future of heating, cooling and hot water will be increasingly electric, connected and data-driven.
For Haier, these trends aren't simply future possibilities. They reflect a direction already shaping innovation, from SmartHQ™ and Connected Living to Monoblock heat pump water heaters and future energy management capabilities. Together, they point towards a future where comfort, efficiency and sustainability work more closely together than ever before.
Data source: Euromonitor International Ltd., measured in terms of retail sales volume in 2025, based on research completed by April 2026. At air conditioners are defined as those that claim to incorporate AI, typically equipped with built-in dedicated At hardware modules and intelligent software systems to achieve advanced functions such as environmental perception, user behavior prediction, energy efficiency optimization, and autonomous decision-making.