Lennox International to participate in DOE’s heat pump challenge

Heat pump manufacturer Lennox International has been selected as a partner for the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Residential Cold Climate Heat Pump Technology Challenge.

The challenge is to develop a next-generation electric heat pump that can more effectively heat homes in northern climates relative to today’s models. Cold climate heat pumps (CCHPs) can provide high-efficiency heating in freezing temperatures without producing greenhouse gas emissions. Also, they can save families as much as $500 a year on their utility bills.

“DOE’s Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge calls on American businesses to make heat pumps more effective at heating and cooling, more efficient in their energy use, and more attractive options for consumers—so more households can unlock $500 in savings each year on utility bills. With this newest prototype, Lennox has answered that call,” U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm said. “Tapping into the emerging clean energy market is a huge economic opportunity that will bring a bolstered manufacturing sector, good-paying jobs, and a brighter, cleaner future to Texas and communities across America.”

Space conditioning and water heating account for 46 percent of building emissions and over 40 percent of primary energy used in the typical residential or commercial space. Further, they account for 42 percent of all building energy bills and 56 percent of household energy bills each year.

Lennox International, based in Richardson, Texas, developed the first prototype that achieved the challenge’s standards about a year ahead of schedule. The prototype delivers 100 percent heating at 5°F at double the efficiency and 70 percent to 80 percent heating at -5°F and -10°F.

Lennox is one of nine manufacturers competing in the challenge. They will undergo trials in cold climate regions over the next two years to demonstrate performance, efficiency, and comfort when applied in the field throughout the winter. Deployment and commercialization are planned for 2024.