Residential Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge

Space conditioning and water heating consume over 40% of the nation’s primary energy and are a major source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Many homes use a traditional electric heat pump (HP) which can suffer from performance decline in colder climates. New technology in the form of cold climate heat pumps (CCHPs) operate with greater capacity and efficiency at outdoor temperatures below 32°F.

Factsheet

Download the Residential Cold Climate Heat Pump Technology Challenge factsheet to learn more.

To advance the adoption of CCHP technologies, the US Department of Energy (DOE) launched the Cold Climate Heat Pump Technology Challenge as part of the Initiative for Better Energy, Emissions, and Equity (E3 Initiative). DOE has partnered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), and heat pump manufacturers to accelerate the development and commercialization of next-generation CCHPs that meet consumer comfort and efficiency needs in cold climate regions of North America.

CCHP Technology Challenge Timeline

Product Prototype (Late 2021 / Early 2022), Lab Testing (2022), Field Testing (Winter 2022-2023 or 2023-2024), Deployment Programs / Commercialization (2024).

CCHP Technology Challenge Specifications

The CCHP Challenge specifications represents a best-in-class heat pump product that provides high-efficiency heating performance in cold climates, employs environmentally friendly low-GWP refrigerants, and is designed to be grid interactive. Learn more about the CCHP Technology Challenge specifications. 

Interested in Becoming a State and Utility Partner?

Contact us at E3Initiative@ee.doe.gov and stay tuned for upcoming events.

Partners

Eight HP manufacturers are committed to the Challenge: Bosch, Carrier, Daikin, Johnson Controls, Lennox, Midea, Rheem, and Trane Technologies. As manufacturing partners, they support a new path towards clean heating and cooling systems by: 

  • Pledging to work with DOE towards the development of a CCHP model that meets or exceeds the CCHP Challenge specifications and timeline; 
  • Participating in working group meetings to coordinate Challenge activities; and 
  • Sharing quarterly updates on CCHP development progress, including preliminary results, product and testing challenges, and expected milestone timelines.

Meet the diverse group of organizations who are the inaugural partners in the residential CCHP Tech Challenge.

CCHP Technology Challenge News