USA — Carrier Global Corp. has launched the largest field trial in its 123-year history, testing battery-enabled HVAC systems with select homeowners across the United States. The initiative is being carried out in collaboration with multiple utilities and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), an independent nonprofit focused on energy R&D.
The project aims to measure the real-world potential for load shifting, demand response, and emissions reduction, marking a pivotal step in the company’s development of its next-generation Home Energy Management System (HEMS).
Turning HVAC Into a Grid Resource
Carrier’s trial pairs high-efficiency variable speed heat pumps with battery storage. Instead of operating as passive energy consumers, HVAC units could evolve into active grid resources. The systems are designed to:
- Shift energy use from peak to off-peak hours by storing power during low-demand periods.
- Maintain cooling comfort during peak load conditions by deploying stored energy.
- Support renewable integration by charging batteries when renewable output is highest.
- Provide flexible load capacity that helps utilities manage demand response and defer costly infrastructure upgrades.
Scale and Market Potential
Carrier estimates that its installed base of more than 30 million residential HVAC units represents around 100 GW of potential flexible load capacity. That equates to more than 10% of total U.S. peak demand, highlighting the technology’s role in modernizing the grid and supporting decarbonization.
The initiative underscores Carrier’s push into energy technology, positioning its HVAC systems at the intersection of home comfort, grid stability, and renewable energy adoption.
