Commercial buildings in the U.S. consume a lot of energy, much of it attributable to their HVAC systems. In fact, some estimates indicate as much as 40 percent of the electricity used in commercial buildings goes to the heating and cooling systems, which is why building owners and managers are taking a closer look at the new crop of energy-efficient heat pumps.
These new heat pumps include the traditional rooftop and split-system variety, as well as geothermal and variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems. Many include cutting-edge technologies, such as inverter-driven compressors and variable-speed controls, which help improve comfort, increase reliability, and lower energy bills. All these features appeal to those building owners and managers who are looking to curb energy costs without sacrificing comfort.