2020 Product of the Year winners

Consulting-Specifying Engineer reveals the MVP, gold, silver and bronze award recipients for the 2020 Product of the Year program.

By Amanda Pelliccione December 1, 2020

Winners of the 16th annual Consulting-Specifying Engineer Product of the Year awards include a fire/smoke damper actuator that reduces risk and delivers life safety performance, an indoor heat exchanger that capitalizes on efficient heat recovery and heat pump systems, and a web-based configuration tool that easily and quickly allows users to configure and place product models into projects, among other notable technologies.

This year, companies submitted their new and improved products debuted between January 1, 2019, and March 31, 2020, to be judged for this distinguished honor. Then readers whittled them down to 34 winners you’ll find here—including the 2020 Most Valuable Product winner, which received the most votes overall. All winners will be honored at the Engineering Awards in Manufacturing dinner, hosted by CFE Media and Technology, in April 2021.

Use the links below to view descriptions for the winners of the 2020 Consulting-Specifying Engineer Product of the Year program. Entries for the 2021 program are being accepted through April 9, 2021; eligible products include those first introduced to the North American market between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021. Official rules are available at www.csemag.com/poy.

Most Valuable Product (MVP)

Rooftop unit with variable speed compressor

The AAON RN rooftop unit with variable speed compressors provides precise comfort with high efficiency. The unit operates with up to 22.5 IEER, providing operational cost savings while maintaining control of the space. Longer operating times, even at lower capacities provide additional humidity reduction. Dedicated outdoor air systems benefit from options such as energy recovery wheel for additional energy savings and modulating hot gas reheat for precise humidity control. The RN rooftop unit is designed with energy saving features such as direct drive backward curved plenum fans and 2-in. double wall rigid polyurethane foam panel construction.

Winners by Category

BAS, Controls, Energy Management

Electrical Systems & Equipment

Electrical: Fuses, Circuit Breakers, Safety

Equipment-Level Sensors & Controls

Fire & Life Safety

HVAC/R Systems & Equipment

HVAC: Air Movement, Compressors, Etc.

Lighting & Lighting Controls

Plumbing & Water Management

Power Systems & Equipment

Software: Design, Modeling, Monitoring


Author Bio: Amanda is the Research Director and Project Manager of Awards Programs for CFE Media and its publications.