Carrier completes DOE challenge
11th March 2026
USA: Carrier reports that its 15-ton rooftop heat pump unit has passed testing in the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Commercial Building HVAC Technology Challenge.
With the completion of this latest test, Carrier claims to be one of the only manufacturers to complete testing in both the 10-14t and 15-25t product categories. Field testing for both units is underway.
The 10-14t unit is installed at a large national retailer in upstate New York while the 15t unit will be installed soon at a commercial facility in Pennsylvania.
The 10-14t unit was also the first product in that range to demonstrate performance through DOE lab verification testing. Each of these units have demonstrated performance that meets or exceeds the DOE challenge requirements including heating capacity and energy efficiency tests – delivering 100% heating capacity at 5°F, exceeding 70% heating capacity at -10°F and DOE’s commercial HVAC efficiency thresholds.
The next-generation rooftop units were tested at the DOE’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee and field trials are being monitored, analysed and verified by the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR). After successful testing, the products are expected to be available for purchase in the summer of 2027.
The DOE’s Commercial Building HVAC Technology Challenge is designed to accelerate adoption of new equipment that reduces energy use and operating costs while supporting grid reliability through lower demand. The challenge includes two product categories, one 10-14t and one for 15-25t light commercial products. Carrier is participating in both categories.
Related stories:
Carrier commences advanced RTU field trials – 24 December 2025
USA: Carrier is to commence commercial field trials in the US of its next-generation rooftop heat pumps following validation under the US Department of Energy’s HVAC technology challenge. Read more…
Carrier completes 10-14ton RTU challenge – 14 September 2025
USA: Carrier has become the first manufacturer to complete the US Department of Energy’s Commercial Building HVAC Technology Challenge laboratory validation in the 10-14 ton rooftop heat pump category. Read more…
