NEW YORK — Carrier Global Corp. has initiated the largest field trial in its 123-year history, deploying battery-enabled HVAC systems across the United States to test their ability to cut emissions, shift energy demand, and support renewable integration.
The initiative, launched in collaboration with utilities and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), aims to provide real-world data on load shifting and demand response potential. Select homeowners in diverse U.S. climates are already participating, giving Carrier and its partners insight into how next-generation Home Energy Management Systems (HEMS) can reshape residential energy use.
Turning HVAC Into Grid Resources
At the center of the program are variable-speed heat pumps paired with battery storage. Instead of passively consuming electricity, these systems actively interact with the grid by:
- Shifting energy use from peak to off-peak hours
- Maintaining cooling comfort during high-demand periods
- Optimizing charging when renewable power is abundant
- Providing flexible load capacity to utilities
Carrier estimates its installed U.S. residential base of more than 30 million HVAC units could generate up to 100 gigawatts of flexible load capacity. That represents more than 10% of U.S. peak demand — a potential buffer that could help utilities defer costly infrastructure investments while accelerating renewable adoption.
Industry Significance
The trial highlights how legacy HVAC manufacturers are adapting to a decarbonizing energy landscape, positioning themselves as key players in the intersection of climate technology, energy storage, and smart grid management.
If proven successful, Carrier’s battery-enabled HVAC systems could represent a scalable model for balancing energy demand and supporting grid resilience nationwide.
