Now in its 8th biennial edition, the MEET Innovation Awards recognize innovative products in the industry, and CIMCO's Thermal Force One (TF1) stood out among competitors as a transformative thermal system purpose-built for ice rinks.

Designed to help ice rinks work toward net-zero emission goals, TF1 significantly reduces or eliminates the need for natural gas and high-global-warming refrigerants. It also reduces capital costs, operating expenses, and long-term maintenance compared to conventional rink systems.

TF1 replaces multiple traditional heating and cooling systems with a single, intelligent solution capable of producing up to four temperatures at once:

This allows arenas to maintain ice conditions, comfortable spectator spaces, and efficient building temperatures all from one integrated system.

It delivers high-temperature heat up to 175°F for comfort heating, ice resurfacing, and building hot water, as well as low-temperature heat for under-ice frost protection, snow-melt pits, in-floor radiant heat, fresh-air pre-heat, and potable-water pre-heat.

The system utilizes natural or green heat sources both on- and off-package, including geothermal, air-source coolers, effluent or sewage water, and district cooling. Its use of natural refrigerants, including ultra-low-charge ammonia (R717) and carbon dioxide (R744), dramatically lowers greenhouse gas emissions, while its district energy capability allows it to serve neighboring buildings and integrate with renewable heat sources.