KAORI, a Taiwan-based company specializing in green-energy products and technology for commercial applications, has joined the U.S. Department of Energy's challenge to develop the next generation of heat pumps for cold climates.
The company announced on Jan. 18 its decision to participate in the DOT's Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge. The DOE "challenge" asks companies and technology developers to more quickly develop and market cold-climate heat pumps (CCHPs) that can meet private consumers' needs for both comfort and environmentally friendly efficiency, according to the DOT. Electric heat pumps, which extract heat from the air and ground, are considered more efficient than traditional fuel-fired equipment, which consume 40% of the nation's energy, the DOE reports. However, they can lose efficiency in colder climates, according to the DOE.
KAORI states it sees electrification as the key to better energy efficiency.
"In the battle against climate change, more changes are being made and electrification will be the key to it," the company states in its announcement to join the CCHPC. "From the cars we drive to the hot water boilers we use, electrification is the trend, and this offers a great opportunity for heat pump development."
The program, announced last May, is part of the Initiative for Better Energy, Emissions, and Equity (E3 Initiative). It is being conducted in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and heat pump manufacturers, the DOT reports.
In addition to KAORI, multiple manufacturer, utility, and state partners have joined the CCHPC, DOE reports, including Carrier, Daikin, Rheem, Mitsubishi Electric, Colorado Energy Office, Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, Montana Energy Office, Connexus Energy, Alaska Electric Light and Power, and Energy New England, among several others.
Energy New England (ENE) stated it was "honored" to sign the Residential Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge Agreement, the utility posted on social media in December.
"ENE is 1 of 4 utilities in MA that will test heat pumps in extreme cold temps, ensuring that heat pump efficiency claims are met!" ENE stated in a Dec. 3 post on Twitter.
The DOE states continuing advances in heat-pump technology, CCHPs could save the average American family $500 a year on utility bills, the DOE states. The CCHP Challenge is intended to make CCHP - and their predicted cost savings - more accessible to that same average American family.
"CCHPs are gaining acceptance in some regions, with support from government,industry, and utility initiatives," DOE officials said, "but additional efforts are needed to address common technical and market barriers to wider adoption by consumers."
