The DOE's new Rooftop Accelerator program encourages manufacturers to develop efficient commercial rooftop heat pumps for cold climates, which could reduce GHG emissions and energy costs by up to 50%.
As heat pump technology advances and begins its march into colder climates, industry experts are expecting rooftop units to continue to gain popularity in both new construction and retrofits.
Traditional air-source heat pumps can provide reliable heating when outdoor temperatures are moderately cold. However, once the weather reaches subzero temperatures, heat pumps suffer a drastic loss of performance due to frost accumulation on their outdoor units.
Trane has surpassed DOE requirements for the residential Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge for high-efficiency heating in freezing temperatures and will begin field trials later this month.
Carrier is ready for phase two of the Department of Energy’s Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge, which is field testing its prototype heat pump in a harsh climate.
Vice President Kamala Harris joined U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm in New York Nov. 1 to announce the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has confirmed the first six industry partners to participate in the Cold Climate Heat Pump Technology Challenge.