The refrigerant landscape is fast-changing and complex, and staying ahead of regulatory changes, market shifts, and technological advancements is crucial. At the 2026 AHR Expo, our very own Elizabeth Ortlieb, Alpyne Partner and Host of the Refrigerant365 Podcast, recorded a live episode at the Podcast Pavilion and brought together three industry leaders representing distinct perspectives: a contractor, an OEM, and a component supplier.
Live Refrigerant365 Episode at the AHR Vegas 2026
Recorded on location at the 2026 AHR Expo, this episode discusses what we learned in 2025 and what we need to be on the lookout for in 2026. Whether you’re a contractor, manufacturer, distributor, or other industry stakeholder, this discussion will keep you up-t0-date on the latest trends and give you actionable insights
Meet the Panel
Chris Forth – Bosch Home Comfort
Chris M Forth is a 30+ year HVAC industry veteran who has worked in engineering, product management and most recently in the regulatory and codes space as the Vice President of Regulatory, Codes and Environmental Affairs for the Bosch Home Comfort Business. Chris is heavily involved in regulation and industry codes and standards development which impact the HVACR industry. Chris also engages with elected officials and regulators in the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency and others in the development and interpretation of those regulations.
Jennifer Butsch – Copeland
With more than 25 years of experience in regulatory affairs across multiple industries, Jennifer brings extensive expertise in navigating complex policy, compliance, and technical standards environments. In her current role, she leads regulatory strategy and engagement on policies, codes, and standards that shape the air conditioning and refrigeration markets. Jennifer plays an active leadership role in several key industry organizations, including the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) and the Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy and is engaged in ASHRAE and Women in HVACR. Through this work, she helps guide the industry’s transition toward lower-GWP technologies and more sustainable practices while anticipating and shaping the evolving regulatory landscape. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from Wright State University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix.
Edward McFarlane – ACCA & Sila Services
Eddie McFarlane is the Chief Learning & Development Officer at Sila Services, where he builds scalable systems and career pathways across 45+ home-service brands. As Chair of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America, he leads industry efforts on apprenticeship, upskilling, and workforce strategy. Eddie’s work focuses on practical training, leadership development, and helping technicians and managers do better work, faster.
What You’ll Learn
This episode explores critical questions that shaped 2025 and will define 2026:
- Regulatory Realities: What actually happened with refrigerant regulations in 2025? How did the industry respond, and what surprised even the experts?
- Supply Chain Shifts: How did OEMs and component suppliers navigate the transition? What challenges emerged, and what solutions proved effective?
- Contractor Challenges: What did contractors experience in the field? How are they preparing their teams for the changes ahead?
- 2026 Outlook: What should everyone in the industry be watching for in the coming year? What opportunities and challenges lie ahead?
This isn’t a theoretical discussion—it’s a practical conversation among professionals who are living these changes every day. You’ll hear about real challenges, unexpected developments, and strategic approaches that worked (and some that didn’t).
