Carrier Global Corporation has launched commercial field trials for its next-generation rooftop heat pump technology, developed under the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Commercial Building HVAC Technology Challenge.
The trials include a 10–14-ton rooftop heat pump system installed at a national retail facility in upstate New York. According to Carrier, the system maintains 100% heating capacity at 5°F and over 70% at -10°F, meeting or exceeding DOE efficiency thresholds for commercial HVAC systems.
A 15-ton unit is currently undergoing laboratory testing at the DOE’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, with field trials scheduled to begin at a commercial site in Pennsylvania in the coming weeks. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory will monitor and verify both trials, which are expected to conclude in summer 2027. Commercial availability is also anticipated for summer 2027.
The DOE program aims to promote energy-efficient HVAC systems for commercial buildings, with two product categories: 10–14 tons and 15–25 tons. Carrier is participating in both.
DOE, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and NREL testing confirmed Carrier’s units meet or exceed performance targets for IVHE, IVHEc and COPs, including consistent heating in cold-climate conditions.
“After proving our innovation in the lab, we're thrilled to show how it performs in operating commercial environments,” said Heidi Gehring, Managing Director, Light Commercial, Carrier. “These field trials are the final step before launching a high-performance product designed to strengthen U.S. commercial buildings.”
