HPAC Magazine

Three More Manufacturers Added to Cold Climate Heat Pump Technology Challenge

February 18, 2022 | By Logan Caswell


DOE created the challenge to accelerate deployment of cold climate heat pump (CCHP) technologies.

DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Technology Challenge.

After successfully launching the Cold Climate Heat Pump Technology Challenge this past May, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has added three new manufacturers to the initiative, launched in partnership with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The challenge was created to accelerate deployment of cold climate heat pump (CCHP) technologies. The group is aiming to develop a new technology specification for high-performance units that demonstrate the CCHP performance in lab tests and pilot sites and identify and alleviate installation challenges while accelerating adoption.

In early November 2021, six manufacturers were confirmed to participate in the Cold Climate Heat Pump Technology Challenge including:

  • Carrier
  • Daikin
  • Johnson Controls
  • Lennox International
  • Mitsubishi Electric
  • Trane Technologies

The newest additions include:

  • Midea
  • Rheem
  • LG

The nine HVAC manufacturers, in partnering with DOE, NRCan, and the EPA, along with States and other efficiency program and utility stakeholders, will demonstrate the performance of prototypical products and launch field demonstrations and pilot programs to accelerate adoption. Commercialization of products could come as early as 2024.

The next generation of cold climate heat pumps developed under this challenge will have:

  • Increased performance at cold temperatures
  • Increased heating capacity at lower ambient temperatures
  • More efficiency across broader range of operating conditions
  • Demand flexibility (advanced controls to adjust usage on demand)

The DOE initially launched the Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge as part of its Initiative for Better Energy, Emissions, and Equity (E3 Initiative). The E3 Initiative advances the research, development, and national deployment of clean heating and cooling systems that include heat pumps, advanced water heaters, low-to-no global warming potential refrigerants, and smarter HVAC diagnostic tools in residential and commercial buildings.

energy.gov

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