The Better Buildings Commercial Heat Pump Accelerator is aimed at addressing the climate crisis by accelerating energy innovation – pushing cutting-edge, more sustainable electrification technologies from lab to market faster, with the added benefit of lowering energy costs. According to the Department of Energy, heat pump packaged rooftop units (RTUs) are estimated to reduce GHG emissions and energy costs by up to 50% compared with conventional natural gas-burning models. The Commercial Building Heat Pump Accelerator will work with commercial building owners, operators and manufacturers to accelerate the development and adoption of heat pump packaged RTUs across climates within the United States.
Carrier is among the manufacturers taking part in the accelerator while working with the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory to test and validate all product claims. New light commercial products developed by Carrier engineers will help customers including major retailers and other companies meet decarbonization goals and increase energy efficiency.
Carrier is also participating in the Department of Energy’s Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge for residential applications and will have commercialized units with advanced technology available later in 2024.
“Carrier’s innovation in HVAC began when Willis Carrier launched the industry more than a century ago,” said Heidi Gehring, Managing Director of Light Commercial, Carrier. “We are proud to continue leading within the industry as we work to bring more efficient and affordable next-generation light commercial heat pumps to market as soon as 2027.”