US-based heating technology manufacturer Carrier is set to start field testing its prototype air-source heat pump for cold climates.
The project is part of the “Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge” developed by the US Department of Energy. It aims to develop and commercialize a new heat pump technology to more efficiency heat residential homes in climates with freezing temperatures.
Heat pump prototypes participating in the project must perform efficiently at temperatures equal or below negative 29 degrees Celsius (negative 20 degrees Fahrenheit). They are designed to be grid-interactive, provide high-efficiency heating performance in harsh climates, and employ environmentally friendly refrigerants.
The prototype heat pump first underwent a lab testing phase, with results allowing it to pass to the field-testing phase.
“We’re pleased with the lab performance of our prototype heat pump and the final test results,” said Justin Keppy, President, North America residential and light commercial HVAC at Carrier. “Our team of dedicated engineers and product managers are hard at work continuing to develop next generation heat pumps to increase efficiency, save consumers money and benefit the environment.”
Carrier joins Irish-based Trane Technologies and US-based Lennox heat pump manufactures in developing prototypes entering the field-testing phase. Other manufacturers participating in the project include Bosch, LG, and Daikin. Commercialization of the successful units is expected by 2024.
*This article was updated on 4/11/2022 to include the temperature requirement, negative 29 degrees Celsius.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.
How cold? What refrigerants?
Carrier has had cold climate heat pumps for many years. Perhaps explain what you or they mean by grid interactive in more detail .
Thats exciting I looked into heat pumps previously for my home in my northern BC location but found they wouldn’t heat above 67 degrees and would need another heat source to make up the difference. I would be interested in using my home as a test pilot location if enquired or notified when they are available for sale.
Don’t get tricked by slick marketing campaign’s. I use a heat pump at -25, That technology already exists. What they are priming people for is energy companies automatically controlling your energy use so the grid is not overloaded. Grid interactive controls limit energy usage by controlling loads. Artificial intelligence load control is already negatively affecting peak load control customers which have been in use for 20 years, which were manually controlled by local power companies up until a few weeks ago. “Skynet” is in control now, and is not concerned about human comfort, life or whatever you think your going to be doing in the future.. Get a woodburner and your own wood supply if you want a warm house (and a generator if you have life safety devices requiring electricity, like oxygen machines). There will be many tax incentives to trick you into getting this technology. It’s a cold world, good luck.
There is something wrong when a modern heat pump can’t get the interior temperature above 67 Fahrenheit. The new heat pumps are pretty bulletproof. Was your heat pump sized correctly for your home’s square footage and insulation? Air should be coming out of the interior unit between 85 and 92 degrees. It is important to size the unit so you get sufficient warm air for your house. In Canada the models that are eligible for the government rebate are more efficient and have a greater temperature range than some of the bargain models still available on the market
I’ve to know what the improvement was.
Carrier is well behind other top manufacturers on the -30C level if they aren’t going to be available until 2024. Several mfgrs have -30C units out there right now. Mitsubishi is getting close to a new product that will be efficient to -35C.
I have also looked at heat pumps for my home in Saskatchewan Canada but found they wouldn’t heat above 67 degrees and would need another heat source. We get very cold winters and a lot of sun in summer so cooling is also needed. We also would be interested in using our home as test pilot location if & when they are available for purchase.
There are many factors that affect your indoor temperature, airflow, sizing the system to what your hose needs, insulation, leakage. Have a load calculation done to find out where to start.
All you have to do is put the indoor blower motor on a vid. Only allow the blower to speed up as the refrigerant pressure rises and u really wouldn’t need auxiliary heat or defrost if it’s programmed correctly
Ground source heat pump is the way to go.