Carrier Advances Cold-Climate Rooftop Heat Pumps Through DOE Field Trials
Key Highlights
- Carrier's rooftop heat pumps are designed to operate efficiently in cold climates, with 100% heating capacity at 5° F and over 70% at -10° F.
- The systems are part of the DOE's initiative to accelerate deployment of energy-efficient HVAC solutions for commercial buildings.
- Field trials are being conducted at large retail and industrial sites, with results monitored by national laboratories to ensure performance standards.
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — Carrier Global Corp. announced the launch of commercial field trials for its next-generation rooftop heat pump technology as part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Commercial Building HVAC Technology Challenge.
According to Carrier, the field trials mark a key milestone following laboratory validation and are designed to demonstrate system performance in active commercial environments. The rooftop heat pump technology targets broad commercial adoption and is intended to reduce energy use and operating costs while supporting grid reliability.
Carrier’s 10–14-ton rooftop heat pump unit has been installed at a large national retailer in upstate New York. The system was the first in its size range to complete Department of Energy laboratory verification testing, delivering 100% heating capacity at 5° F and more than 70% heating capacity at -10° F. Carrier stated that performance met or exceeded the Department of Energy’s commercial HVAC efficiency thresholds.
A 15-ton rooftop heat pump unit is currently undergoing testing at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee and is expected to begin commercial field trials at a facility in Pennsylvania in the coming weeks. Carrier said testing and monitoring will be verified by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, with field trials expected to conclude in summer 2027. Commercial availability is anticipated in summer 2027.
The Department of Energy’s Commercial Building HVAC Technology Challenge focuses on accelerating deployment of advanced HVAC equipment that lowers energy consumption and operating costs. The program includes light commercial categories covering 10–14 tons and 15–25 tons, with Carrier participating in both.
Carrier reported that independent testing conducted by the Department of Energy, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory showed the rooftop heat pump systems met or exceeded targets for integrated variable heating efficiency, integrated variable heating efficiency cold, and coefficients of performance, supporting readiness for scaled commercial use in cold climates.
More information is available at carrier.com/commercial.
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