The Cold Climate Heat Pump Technology Challenge is designed to help manufacturers speed the development of the next generation of heat pumps and ensure that they will perform reliably during chilly winters.

Many homeowners are replacing their gas furnaces with heat pumps, so contractors should educate them about the energy efficiency, payback, and comfort that they can anticipate with their new equipment.

Chillers use the principles of thermodynamics to remove heat from a conditioned space. But “chiller” is a broad term that encompasses system configurations, refrigeration technologies, and methods of rejecting captured heat. Experts take a closer look.

Replacing a gas furnace with a heat pump can be challenging and costly, as modifications may need to be made to the ductwork and electric panel.

While a controls upgrade may be costly, the reality is, the longer you wait, the more expensive a replacement can be.

Manufacturers were eager to show off their latest energy-efficient RTUs, many of which can also be used to meet building owners’ decarbonization and electrification goals.

In the past, heat pumps were typically installed in single-residence homes, but nowadays, the technology has evolved and can be used in many other building applications — such as multifamily homes.