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The AHR Expo is the premier event for showcasing the latest advancements in the HVACR industry, and this year was no exception. Among the highlights were emerging heat pump technologies, which are rapidly gaining traction as energy-efficient and environmentally friendly solutions for heating and cooling. With innovations designed to enhance performance and reduce energy use, while meeting electrification goals, manufacturers unveiled a range of heat pump systems designed for just about any application.
All About Electrification
Electrification policies and incentives are poised to drive significant growth in heat pump demand, said Mark Lee, vice president of supply chain and product management at Ecoer. At the federal level, he noted that programs under the Inflation Reduction Act are lowering costs, particularly for middle-income households, and these incentives are reinforced by subsidies from local governments and energy companies, particularly in the Northeast. State mandates, such as California’s net-zero targets, are also accelerating the shift from fossil fuel systems to heat pumps, a trend that is gaining momentum nationwide, he said.
“There is also increased awareness of heat pumps’ role in achieving decarbonization goals among consumers and businesses,” said Lee. “This growing awareness is contributing to a shift in consumer behavior and business practices towards more sustainable technologies. Heat pumps have surpassed gas furnaces in shipments for three consecutive years. Replacing gas furnaces with heat pumps as the primary heating source is now a clear trend across many regions, further supported by the additional incentives at the local and utility levels.”
Electrification policies and incentives are, indeed, driving significant growth in heat pump adoption across the U.S., said David Rames, senior product manager at Midea. He noted that programs offering tax credits and rebates are not only encouraging homeowners to upgrade, but also incentivizing contractors to prioritize heat pump installations to meet increasing demand.
“In addition to financial incentive programs offered by the federal government and regional utility providers, state and municipal electrification mandates aimed at reducing reliance on natural gas are accelerating the transition to heat pump technology,” said Rames. “As these policies expand, we expect contractors and distributors to see a continued shift in consumer demand toward sustainable heating and cooling solutions.”
Supporting the Trend
At the AHR Expo, manufacturers showcased a wide range of heat pump technologies designed to support the electrification trend. Friedrich, for example, is integrating variable-speed compressors (inverters) with lower ambient heat pump operation to enhance decarbonization and energy savings, said TJ Wheeler, senior director at Friedrich Air Conditioning. This technology is featured in its Breeze universal heat pump, which Wheeler described as being the newest and easiest way for homeowners and contractors to upgrade traditional HVAC systems to a state-of-the-art inverter heat pump system.
“Its universal nature allows the outdoor unit to match up with a multitude of indoor units from Friedrich and other manufacturers, making it the easiest choice for distributors, contractors, and homeowners,” said Wheeler. “Compared to existing systems, the new Breeze Premier sets a new standard in efficiency and convenience as it delivers energy-saving efficiencies of up to 20 SEER and 9.5 HSPF. The new Breeze Select offers efficiencies up to 18 SEER2 in cooling and 9 HSPF2 in heating, all with cold climate operations in temperatures down to -13°F in heat pump mode and cooling in temperatures as low as 5°F.”
Friedrich’s Precision® inverter compressor ramps up using Soft-Start technology to reach indoor set temperatures and then maintains precise temperature control, said Wheeler.
“This innovative technology provides enhanced comfort and efficiencies in extreme climates, while delivering optimal performance year-round. Its high-performance compressor was developed to accommodate long line set runs up to 246 feet and height differentials of up to 98 feet, making the installation adaptable to almost any application.” The Breeze Select products will be available in March and the Premier in May 2025.
MARS showcased the HSA19V, which simplifies heat pump offerings by using just two SKUs to cover the range of tonnages typically requiring seven, said Joel Stevens, director of product development at MARS. He added that the 3- and 5-ton models cover the entire range, while delivering high efficiencies of up to 19 SEER2 and 9 HSPF2.
“Our newly redesigned R-454B heat pumps— including the HSA19V — use optimized inverter compressors that allow for higher compressor speeds and pressures at low ambient temperatures,” said Stevens. “Typically, heat pumps experience a decrease in pressure and operational capacity at lower ambient temperatures. This special function provides better heat transfer performance and allows for improved capacity maintenance at 5°F and below.”
Stevens added that the HSA19V provides true variable-speed operation without requiring the specialized training needed for most communicating equipment. Certain matches qualify for 25C tax credits, which can be optimized up to $2,600 for dual fuel applications. Additional features include a factory-installed suction line filter drier for long-lasting performance, easy-access gauge ports, and braze-free/press-fitting capable line set connections. He noted that coil-only ratings are available for refrigerant system change outs, so end users can keep their furnace. MARS expects to start offering this heat pump for sale towards the end of Q1 2025.
ALL CLIMATE HEAT PUMP: Midea showcased its EVOX G3 All Climate heat pump, which features inverter-driven compressors and cold climate heating technology. (Courtesy of Midea)
Ecoer’s latest heat pump technology, the TDi Pro 2 Series, features automated refrigerant charging enabled by Internet of Things (IoT) controls, said Lee, which significantly simplifies installation and maintenance for contractors and enhances system reliability for end users.
“These models also incorporate next-generation inverter technology with edge computation and deep learning algorithms, optimizing performance across a range of operating conditions.”
The TDi Pro 2 Series heat pumps are optimized for cold climates, with reliable operation down to -22°F. The Universal Match System offers flexible compatibility with existing HVAC systems, said Lee, simplifying upgrades by offering broad compatibility. With Ecoer Ecolink technology, both indoor and outdoor unit data are uploaded to the cloud, which allows for advanced diagnostics and analysis of the system’s health.
“Thanks to a newly developed compressor control system, our heat pumps offer more flexible and reliable operation under extreme conditions, enhancing system longevity and reducing maintenance needs,” said Lee. “In addition, high-efficiency heat exchangers are designed to improve thermal transfer efficiency significantly, enhancing overall system efficiency and reducing the operational strain.” Lee added that Ecoer’s new heat pump models are widely available throughout the U.S. and Canada and are supported by robust distribution channels.
Midea showcased its latest heat pump technology, which included the EVOX G3 heat pump system, a heat pump water heater (HPWH), and a packaged window heat pump (PWHP). According to Rames, what sets these products apart is their focus on energy efficiency, ease of installation, and advanced features like inverter-driven compressors and cold climate heating technology, which ensure reliability even in extreme climates.
“These advanced inverter-driven compressors adjust to precise temperature needs, reducing energy waste and improving comfort,” said Rames. “Lab testing under the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge demonstrated a COP of 1.92 at -15°F, highlighting the systems’ reliability in extreme conditions.”
NEW PRODUCTS: MARS offered a wide range of HVAC products in their booth, including the LE Series shown there. (Courtesy of MARS)
Rames added that the EVOX G3 heat pump system uses R-454B and delivers excellent performance with up to a 19 SEER2 and an HSPF2-4 rating of 10.2, ensuring reliable heating in temperatures as low as -22°F. It is available in sizes ranging from 1.5 to 5 tons, and its modular “Block N Lock” air handling unit design simplifies installation, saving contractors time and labor.
“Midea’s heat pumps are equipped with enhanced vapor injection (EVI) technology, which significantly enhances heating performance in cold climates by boosting capacity and maintaining efficiency at sub-zero temperatures,” said Rames. The availability of the EVOX G3, PWHP, and HPWH will expand throughout 2025, supported by a growing distributor network and the development of Midea showrooms.
Residential to Commercial
Johnson Controls highlighted its new collection of all-electric heat pumps for residential, light commercial, and commercial markets. This included the residential York HH8 side-discharge heat pump, which is cold-climate compatible and features variable-speed drive technology that delivers 70% heating capacity at 0°F.
Johnson Controls-Hitachi ductless, R-32 heat pumps were also displayed. According to Bahadir Taşkonak, executive director of Johnson Controls-Hitachi, “We’ve engineered each system for maximized performance within cold ambient conditions, using optimized DC inverter compressors and performance-enhancing technologies such as self-cleaning capabilities within our airHome Series to maximize airflow.”
The airHome Series includes the wall-mounted airHome 400, as well as the airHome 600, which achieves 100% heating capacity at 5°F and includes smart automation. The airHome 800, designed for extreme cold, maintains 100% capacity down to -4°F and uses FrostWash technology for optimized performance.
Designed for light commercial and residential applications, the Hitachi airCore 700 Heatforce Series is a cold-climate single-zone heat pump for light commercial and residential use, available in units up to 3 tons. With HeatForce technology, it offers 100% heating capacity at 5°F and 70% or more at -13°F.
For commercial buildings, the Hitachi air365 Max is a cold-climate VRF system that achieves heating operation down to -22°F. Available in sizes from 12 (single) to 24 tons (dual module), it is an end-to-end solution that is designed for ease of use and incredible energy efficiency, said Taşkonak. The air365 Mini, Hitachi’s first R-32 Mini VRF, is designed for tight spaces and diverse applications, with a heating range down to -13°F. Hitachi heat pumps are readily available.
Also on the commercial side, York Sun Choice heat pump rooftop units (RTUs) offer up to 13% greater part-load efficiency than Johnson Controls’ legacy heat pumps and exceed DOE 2023 part-load standards by nearly 6%, said Jason Carter, senior product manager of ducted systems at Johnson Controls. Available in 12.5 to 25 tons, he added that their lightweight design and direct replacement footprint reduces upfront costs and simplifies installation.
COLD-CLIMATE VRF: The Hitachi air365 Max is a cold-climate VRF system that achieves heating operation down to -22°. (Staff photo)
“Leveraging a dual circuit refrigeration design, Choice heat pump RTUs are optimized to deliver reliable, efficient operation within colder climates,” said Carter. “The advanced RTUs are also equipped to provide seamless dual fuel operation with high-efficiency gas heating integration available. Further, heat pumps are equipped with the new adjustable electric/mechanical heat changeover point and Smart Equipment, a sophisticated, repackaged controls platform that helps maximize control for greater efficiency, extended equipment life, and reduced operating costs.” Choice RTUs are available now, and additions to the platform will be made available, including dual fuel capabilities.
Johnson Controls has also made significant advancements in commercial air-to-water heat pumps— a technology that has been used widely across Europe and is just starting to build momentum in the U.S. For example, the York YMAE air-to-water inverter scroll modular heat pump chiller is engineered to deliver superior performance and efficiency within conditions down to -13°F, said Gerald Laumann, global product manager of air-cooled scroll chillers and heat pumps at Johnson Controls.
“Featuring new-to-market, EVI scroll compressor technology, the York YMAE is engineered to efficiently deliver high water temperatures within low ambient conditions,” he said. “DC inverter technology provides variable-capacity control and allows the heat pump compressors to operate more efficiently across all cooling loads. High-efficiency EC fans and heat exchangers, along with a dual circuit design enables the entire heat transfer surface area to remain active at part load, delivering exceptional performance throughout the widest range of ambient conditions.” YMAE heat pumps are available now and are locally stocked around North America.
As shown here, manufacturers at the AHR Expo showcased heat pump technologies that emphasized energy efficiency, cold-climate performance, and sustainability. Featuring innovations like inverter technology and low-GWP refrigerants, these systems are driving the HVAC industry’s shift toward electrification and decarbonization.