The line will deliver more precise comfort with reduced energy use, and is the most energy-efficient furnace in Carrier history, said the company, with an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) of up to 98 percent. The company’s executives said contractors played a key role in its design.

“We are confident it will be well received, since installing contractors were an integral part of the development process,” said Bob McDonough, president, UTC Climate, Controls & Security Systems — Americas. “Their feedback ensured that we designed a furnace line with higher efficiency and quieter operation, while providing Energy Star®-qualified solutions that are easier to install and service.”

The line’s Greenspeed intelligence combines modulating and variable-speed technologies with a communicating control system to constantly adapt to a home’s conditions. The algorithm was designed specifically for variable-speed products, said Chris Nelson, VP of sales and marketing. It works as a system, not as components.

This is also the quietest gas furnace Carrier said it has ever built. In low-fire mode, where the furnace operates most of the time, sound ratings are as low as 38.4 db, which is less than the sound of a refrigerator.

“The introduction of the most energy efficient and quietest furnace in our company’s long history takes Carrier’s natural leadership with environmental technologies to a higher degree,” said John Mandyck, chief sustainability officer, UTC Climate, Controls & Security Systems.

Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO, and founding chair of the U.S. Green Building Council (host of Greenbuild), predicted that even though the line will start with mid- to high-end products, it would eventually extend through all tiers. “There’s so much more that comes from this simple technology,” he said.

For more information, visit www.carrier.com.

Publication date: 10/10/2011