All eight manufacturers in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Residential Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge completed rigorous product field testing to demonstrate energy efficiency and improved performance in cold weather.
On the heels of that success, DOE is working with nine heat pump manufacturers to test heat pump rooftop units (RTUs) for commercial buildings through a new technology challenge. For commercial buildings, heat pump RTUs are estimated to reduce greenhouse emissions and energy costs by up to 50% compared with conventional RTUs fueled by natural gas. But while overall demand is growing, adoption has lagged in cooler climates because of reduced performance in cold weather, DOE says.
DOE is now working with heat pump manufacturers AAON, Addison, Carrier, Daikin, Johnson Controls, Lennox, LG, Rheem, and Trane Technologies to improve energy efficiency and performance of RTUs in cold weather. The manufacturers will create prototypes and test product performance and durability. DOE will then lead field validations with Better Buildings partners, including Amazon, General Motors, Ikea, the Los Angeles Unified School District, Target, Whole Foods, and others.
The initiative is part of the Commercial Building Heat Pump Accelerator that includes the technology development challenge and a targeted campaign to promote product adoption. The accelerator is slated to run through December 2027.
The residential program included field testing of heat pump units that proved to reliably provide heat with little assistance from auxiliary elements, even during the coldest winter periods.
Related Stories
| Aug 1, 2012
CFSI ranked among Top 10 Mechanical Contractors in D.C.
Included in the Washington Business Journal list for the second year running.
| Jul 24, 2012
Boyer joins Thornton Tomasetti as vice president in New York office
Boyer will support Thornton Tomasetti’s Building Performance and Property Loss Consulting practices in the East U.S. region as well as nationally.
| Jun 1, 2012
New BD+C University Course on Insulated Metal Panels available
By completing this course, you earn 1.0 HSW/SD AIA Learning Units.
| May 31, 2012
Product Solutions June 2012
Curing agents; commercial faucets; wall-cladding systems.
| May 31, 2012
AIA Course: High-Efficiency Plumbing Systems for Commercial and Institutional Buildings
Earn 1.0 AIA/CES learning units by studying this article and successfully completing the online exam.
| May 29, 2012
Reconstruction Awards Entry Information
Download a PDF of the Entry Information at the bottom of this page.
| May 24, 2012
2012 Reconstruction Awards Entry Form
Download a PDF of the Entry Form at the bottom of this page.
| May 14, 2012
Codes harvest rainwater
IAPMO’s Green Plumbing and Mechanical Code Supplement could make rainwater harvesting systems commonplace by clearly outlining safe installation and maintenance practices.
| Dec 5, 2011
Fraser Brown MacKenna wins Green Gown Award
Working closely with staff at Queen Mary University of London, MEP Engineers Mott MacDonald, Cost Consultants Burnley Wilson Fish and main contractor Charter Construction, we developed a three-fold solution for the sustainable retrofit of the building.
| Dec 2, 2011
What are you waiting for? BD+C's 2012 40 Under 40 nominations are due Friday, Jan. 20
Nominate a colleague, peer, or even yourself. Applications available here.
