Carrier Corp. - Experts & Thought Leaders

Carrier’s lineup of communicating peripherals for the i-Vu® building automation system has been expanded to include smart valves with Characterized Control Valve (CCV™) technology and smart damper actuators. These intelligent devices further enhance Carrier’s range of peripherals designed for the i-Vu system, helping operators improve comfort and efficiency in their buildings. Carrier is a part of Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE: CARR), a global pioneer in intelligent climate and energy solutions. New smart solutions "We are committed to pushing the boundaries of HVAC technology, and these new smart solutions are a testament to Carrier’s dedication to sustainability and forward-thinking engineering,” said Mark Jones, Business Manager, Carrier Controls. “We believe these advancements will set a new standard in the industry and help our customers achieve their operational and environmental goals more effectively than ever before.” Key features and benefits Direct Connectivity: The new smart actuators can connect directly to the actuator sub-network (Act Net) bus on any Act Net-enabled i-Vu controller, allowing precise valve and damper position management via serial commands without using physical I/O on the controller. They also support analog (2-10V) connections. Enhanced Control Precision: The smart valves and damper actuators adjust to any position as directed by the controller, providing exact position feedback to the i-Vu system. Simplified Setup: Up to eight smart devices can be connected to the Act Net bus on each i-Vu controller, helping to reduce installation time. The smart devices also support Act Net auto-addressing for quick setup. Efficient Selection and Ordering: A new intelligent selection tool enables contractors to define an application, choose a valve size, and specify the valve flow coefficient (Cv). The tool then provides a range of suitable valves along with compatible actuators. Choices can then be exported to an Excel valve schedule report for project submittals. Remote Accessibility: The smart valves and damper actuators can be accessed both locally and remotely via the i-Vu system, enabling thorough analysis and rapid error detection with fault detection and diagnostics (FDD). Operators receive automatic alerts if a valve or damper fails, gets stuck, or shows signs of cycling or leakage, ensuring timely and efficient maintenance. Precise position feedback is also communicated to the i-Vu system, ensuring proper operation. Advanced Valve Technology: Smart valves feature Characterized Control Valve (CCVTM) technology, ensuring stable flow and energy efficiency across various thermal conditions. CCV combines the high close-off capabilities of a ball valve with a specialized disc that ensures an equal percentage flow characteristic to meet specification requirements. Paired with rotary actuators, these valves offer increased durability and superior value compared to traditional manual ball valves. The valve is bubble-tight, preventing energy losses and helping reduce operating costs. Sophisticated Valve and Damper Control: Smart valve/damper actuators use Multi-Function Technology (MFT) for precise valve/damper control, with models offering spring return, non-spring return, or electronic safeties to maintain normal valve/damper position during power loss. Auxiliary end switches and up to 95° rotation further enhance functionality. A diverse range of valve/damper actuators are available to meet any application need, offering torque options between 22 and 360 in-lbs. New smart peripherals The new smart peripherals are versatile and can be used in various applications such as air handling units, heating and cooling coils, fan coil units, unit ventilators, and VAV re-heat coils. They work with both Carrier and non-Carrier HVAC equipment. Carrier’s new smart valves and damper actuators will be available for order in the United States and Canada starting on October 2, 2024, with shipments beginning at the end of October. 

Tetra, a pioneering provider of end-to-end sustainable home heating and cooling solutions, is announcing the debut of its services into the metro New York area, including both Westchester, Rockland, and Nassau counties. Tetra, previously only available in Massachusetts, plans to expand to all New York state residents over the next year and into more states by early 2025. This hyper-local, new market launch comes on the heels of the company’s USD 10.5M seed round and marks a significant step in Tetra's mission to provide accessible and affordable clean energy solutions across the United States.  Tetra’s tech platform and installation of high-efficiency heat pumps have proven successful in its founding state, Massachusetts, helping thousands of homeowners in the state earn rebates of up to USD 10K. With this strategic expansion into Westchester and Nassau counties, Tetra aims to guide New York metro homeowners through transitioning from fossil fuel heating and cooling systems to cleaner energy, saving energy and costs in one of the most expensive and environmentally conscious states in the U.S.  Tetra’s quoting tool Tetra uses an AI-enabled, quoting tool to effect an exact plan and fixed quote for pump installation Tetra oversees the entire process for homeowners, from quoting to installation to free maintenance and repairs. Tetra uses an AI-enabled, proprietary quoting tool to generate an accurate plan and fixed quote for heat pump installation. Trained on thousands of data points, including city ordinances, county permits, databases, and more, Tetra’s quoting tool assesses the thermal output needed for the home and provides a guaranteed and accurate quote in minutes. This is all done virtually, eliminating the need for invasive and time-consuming in-person consultations.  The company sources only the most trusted contractors in each market for installation and repairs, building a highly vetted network of local experts across the country. Tetra’s full-service process handles all paperwork and scheduling for homeowners, as well as processing all paperwork for rebates to ensure residents reap the benefits of New York State’s incentives for energy-efficient homes. Tetra’s expansion Tetra stays with the consumer the entire lifetime of the HVAC unit, allowing for a seamless, easy-to-navigate experience.  As New Yorkers grapple with inflation, increased cost of living and the aftermath of a recent heat wave, Tetra’s expansion comes at a time when lowering costs and lessening environmental impact is crucial. While most property owners are hesitant to make the switch to cleaner energy systems due to cost, inconvenience or lack of information, Tetra’s technology-enabled process brings transparency and savings to its customers.  Outdated heating and cooling systems Tetra helps clients unlock up to USD 12K in rebates available and reduce their carbon emissions Homeowners who upgrade to more energy-efficient systems in Massachusetts save an average of USD 500 per year on home energy expenses. In New York, where traditional means of heating and cooling can be pricey, Tetra can help customers unlock up to USD 12K in rebates available and reduce their home’s carbon emissions by over four metric tons annually. “The recent heat wave and surge of extreme weather conditions underscore the importance of reliable and efficient cooling systems,” said Max Veggeberg, CEO & Founder of Tetra. “Outdated heating and cooling systems can’t keep up with the intense temperatures that will only continue to get worse, while costs continue to rise, affecting families across New York State. Our mission with Tetra is to prepare you for the times ahead and improve your home with a better and safer HVAC system while protecting the space you love. Tetra is by your side for every step of the process for life to ensure you receive the best service possible.” Environmental and financial benefits Tetra provides energy-efficient heat pumps from pioneering brands, including Mitsubishi, Daikin, Carrier, and more. The systems are designed to perform exceptionally well even in climate extremes, ensuring that homes remain comfortable without a spike in energy consumption. This reliability, combined with the environmental and financial benefits, positions Tetra’s solution as a vital addition to New York homes. Looking ahead, Tetra plans to continue expanding its presence and offerings across the country to give all homeowners access to cleaner, safer energy solutions and reap the financial benefits associated with adopting these technologies.

Carrier has officially opened a new 16,000-square-foot training center at its Charlotte offices, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house attended by Carrier’s commercial HVAC leadership and other valued guests in July 2024. $4 million investment The new training center, where Carrier University is headquartered, represents a nearly $4 million investment in training the next generation of skilled HVAC technicians. Carrier is a part of Carrier Global Corporation, a global pioneer in intelligent climate and energy solutions. Courses covered Depending on the course, the new training center hosts more than 1,200 students for in-person courses Carrier University was founded in 1929. The new training center is located alongside other Carrier offices, less than two miles from Carrier’s Charlotte factory, celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2024. Depending on the course, the new training center hosts more than 1,200 students for in-person courses each year, ranging from one week to 13 weeks of instruction time. Another 7,400 students receive virtual instruction through Carrier University. Courses cover various areas, including technical skills, HVAC service, HVAC controls, HVAC design, and sustainable building solutions. modern air conditioning “Dr. Willis Carrier invented modern air conditioning in 1902 and since then, we’ve developed industries. Not only the HVAC industry, but significant industries built around the HVAC space,” said Gaurang Pandya, President, of HVAC Americas and Commercial HVAC EMEA.  "And we are super proud of that. But the piece that we are even more proud of is that we’ve helped develop careers. For folks within our organization and beyond." training program “I started my career as a trainee at Carrier more than 25 years back and have continued to grow across the board." "The training program we have has helped develop some of the best people that we have today.” training center The curriculum is accredited by the IACET and meets the requirements for continuing education credits The training center includes four classrooms and a product lab featuring many fully functional systems, including equipment supporting light commercial and applied training courses. The curriculum is accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and meets the requirements for continuing education credits and professional development hours for the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Professional Engineers (PE). developing skills and sharing experiences “There’s been countless hours, millions of dollars of investment that brought us to the point. For us to be now opening the new training center’s doors to our industry, to our customers, to the community, it’s really special,” said Steve Ribaudo, Vice President and General Manager, of CHVAC Americas. “Carrier is committed to sharing our expertise to assist our technicians, sales engineers, and others in the HVAC community in developing the skills they need to provide the best experiences possible for their communities, their customers, and their buildings.”

The idea of Energy as a Service involves shifting the traditional business model from selling energy as a commodity to providing a comprehensive package of goods and services to address a customer’s energy use and management. Rather than selling energy, the approach encompasses complete stewardship of a company’s energy needs in exchange for a monthly fee. Because 40% or so of a company’s typical energy needs are related to heating and cooling systems, implementing Energy as a Service (EaaS) is tied directly to a company’s HVAC systems. heat pumps and HVAC technologies In the EaaS scenario, an outside company pledges to meet a customer’s energy needs at a discount, say 5%, below what they currently pay. By then strategically seeking to lower the customer’s energy costs by more than 5%, the EaaS company uses the extra margin to pay its own costs and to attain a profit. For example, if a customer’s energy costs can be lowered by 30%, the EaaS company retains 25% every month for the term of the agreement, typically 10 years. Any costs associated with providing the service come out of the 25%. In the EaaS scenario, an outside company pledges to meet a customer’s energy needs at a discount Specifically, working to lower energy costs by that much involves an upfront investment in infrastructure, such as heat pumps and HVAC technologies, to lessen energy consumption. The idea is that the profitability of lowering energy costs will offset even a substantial investment over time. Energy-related infrastructure Briefly stated, that is the business model of Budderfly, which assumes management of a company’s energy infrastructure and becomes the “account holder” with the utility. Once an EaaS contract is signed, Budderfly then invests to upgrade the customer’s energy-related infrastructure, including LED lighting, refrigeration, etc., in addition to HVAC. The goal is to decrease energy usage by 30% or more.  Budderfly typically upgrades the variable frequency drive (VFD) When upgrading the infrastructure, Budderfly “owns” any new infrastructure assets for the term of the EaaS agreement, say 10 years, and amortizes the cost over the timespan. At the end of the term, the assets are turned back over to the customer unless they renew the contract. In the HVAC arena, Budderfly typically upgrades the variable frequency drive (VFD), economizers, and other equipment in a rooftop unit or other machinery when it takes on a new customer. Embraces the EaaS scenario EaaS has a direct incentive to invest in the newest technology to slip the client energy usage “Looking at the opportunity to save 5% of their energy costs, many customers think it seems too good to be true,” says Al Subbloie, President, CEO and Founder at Budderfly. The price of the EaaS contract is based on a two-year review of the customer’s utility bill, which creates a baseline against which the 5% discount is provided. On the consumption side, replacing a rooftop unit with a new Lennox, Carrier, or Trane high-efficiency unit can provide 30 to 40% savings in energy usage. When a customer embraces the EaaS scenario, the EaaS company has an immediate incentive to invest in the newest technology to lower the customer’s energy usage. The more they save on energy, the more they earn in profits. EaaS approach In contrast, in a business model involving energy purchased as a commodity, there is little urgency to upgrade the equipment. That explains why so much equipment currently installed is so out-of-date and energy inefficient, says Subbloie. “We did not expect the infrastructure to be so bad,” he says. “I am sharing something the world is not aware of. As long as cool and hot air are coming out of the vents, no one is looking at the energy impact.” In fact, the EaaS approach is a growing factor in decarbonization. “We are a private capital method to save the world,” says Subbloie. “We are aligning capitalism and putting it to use to save the world (from climate change),” he says. Additional investments by Budderfly Budderfly can make a profit on an EaaS contract if it can achieve 30% savings on total energy costs Subbloie says Budderfly can make a profit on an EaaS contract if it can achieve 30% savings on total energy costs. Of the 30%, Budderfly returns 5% typically to the customer and then spends about 15% on capital improvements, amortized over 10 years. Additional investments by Budderfly include 3 to 4% on technology such as thermostats, metering and controls, and data systems. Other costs are to pay Budderfly’s 300 or so employees.  In the refrigeration realm, which might account for 15 or 20% of energy usage, Budderfly deploys controllers (such as KE2 Therm Solutions and NRM) to smartly regulate the compressor operation in refrigeration units. Door alert monitors and upgraded seals avoid any leakage of cool air. Deploying R-290 (propane) refrigerant systems boosts energy efficiency. EaaS strategy When Budderfly deploys solar systems, the cost becomes just another line on the customer’s bill – there is no purchase agreement or lease involved. Budderfly is transparent with the customer in terms of the money they invest in infrastructure and other costs. In addition to providing the customer with the initial 5% discount, Budderfly also typically shares with the customer half of the proceeds of any energy savings they can achieve above 30%. The EaaS strategy is applicable to a variety of markets, but Budderfly is finding initial success in the quick-service restaurant (QSR) market, where repeatable footprints of individual locations make EaaS calculations predictable and scalable. Probably 80% of their business is in casual dining and QSR installations, including 75 or so well-known restaurant brands; they work with large franchisees who operate multiple brands. top-down relationships Budderfly also has firms in healthcare needs, nursing facilities, office buildings, amenity stores Budderfly is also working to establish “top-down” relationships at the restaurants’ corporate level, which has the ability to impose EaaS as a standard throughout its footprint. “As the climate focus becomes more important, a restaurant brand might say to do it everywhere,” says Subbloie. Hotels and motels are another vertical markets amenable to this approach, and Budderfly also has business in healthcare markets, nursing facilities, office buildings, convenience stores, and other retail. They seek to limit each building’s size to 200,000 square feet or less. Regulated and deregulated rates Budderfly has a team that handles the onboarding of new customers, which involves a short, two-page agreement. Their automated system is connected to 500 utilities, and Budderfly tracks all the regulated and deregulated rates. If rates go up, their billing increases, still based on the 5% reduction that is part of the agreement.  Budderfly benefits from its high-volume acquisition of HVAC equipment at lower prices. “We buy a lot of stuff, we have agreements to buy at volume pricing, and we are constantly negotiating to lower the price,” says Subbloie. “We buy the best of the best to achieve the greatest energy-saving outcome, for obvious reasons. We negotiate prices on the expectation that our volume will make it lucrative (for OEMs).” Subbloie says Budderfly is the largest buyer of roof-top units in the country. Energy-efficient HVAC systems Budderfly’s model enables the facility of the latest and most energy-efficient tools In the scenario of buying energy as a commodity, customers have less incentive to proactively replace their HVAC infrastructure with more efficient models. They also may not have the means to invest in capital improvements to achieve better energy efficiency outcomes. In contrast, Budderfly’s model encourages the installation of the latest and most energy-efficient equipment, and that the equipment is fine-tuned and maintained. By pushing the transition to decarbonization based on an old-fashioned business motive (i.e., profit), Budderfly seeks to jump-start the adoption of more energy-efficient HVAC systems on a large scale. “We have an economic model that is sustainable,” says Subbloie. Investment in AI Budderfly also provides customers with abundant data on their energy usage, including submetering architecture that does 20 to 40 measurements per location.  Each point of energy use reports back every five seconds, providing operational data and suggesting a possible investment in artificial intelligence (AI) to make operations even smarter.