Carrier Corporation- Experts & Thought Leaders

Carrier Commercial recently welcomed a record number of customers to its annual conference, held at Silverstone, which included special guest speaker, former Formula 1 World Champion - Damon Hill.  Carrier Commercial is part of Carrier Global Corporation, a global pioneer in intelligent climate and energy solutions.  intelligent building solutions Throughout the day, Carrier experts provided insights into its ongoing innovations in sustainable and intelligent building solutions while addressing key topics and trends aligned with customers’ sustainability goals, energy needs, and cost pressures.  Carrier’s data center team outlined the forecasted growth in this industry and explained how a ‘conception to completion’ approach to HVAC can benefit not only the data center, but also its wider community. decarbonization and sustainability The Carrier HVAC Service team explained more about its service and aftermarket solutions Carrier Guest Speaker, Laura Bishop, a voice in decarbonization and sustainability, offers insights about the adoption of heat pumps in the UK.  Rounding off the afternoon of presentations was the Carrier HVAC Service team who explained more about its service and aftermarket solutions with a focus on life cycle asset management and predictive maintenance strategies.  Racing-themed activities Customers then had the opportunity to compete in teams through various racing-themed activities in the Silverstone pit garages such as a pit stop challenge, which included tire changing, Batak light reaction, and simulator racing. In the equipment zone, guests could see some of Carrier’s latest innovations, including the AquaForce® 30XF, specifically designed for the data center, and a look at the newly extended AquaForce® 30XWH range.   Training Academy Jake Hill gave an insight into a historic racing season for the team, in which Carrier was a proud partner There were also areas for Carrier’s building controls and the Carrier Rentals team to explain more about the wide range of solutions they offer, alongside a mini recreation of Carrier’s new Training Academy which gave guests an insight into the hands-on learning available in Bracknell.   The final section of the pit garage was filled by British Touring Car Championship team Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport. 2024’s championship-winning Driver, Jake Hill gave an insight into a historic racing season for the team, in which Carrier was a proud partner.  carbon reduction goals “Our industry is essential to achieving global carbon reduction goals,” said Didier Genois, Vice President and General Manager, of Carrier Commercial HVAC, Europe, Middle East, and Africa. He adds, “At Carrier, we’re committed to leading with innovative solutions and products that advance energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.”  inspiring talk Damon Hill gave an inspiring talk reflecting on his successful career in motor racing During each course of the gala dinner, former Formula 1 World Champion - Damon Hill gave an inspiring talk reflecting on his successful career in motor racing. “The UK annual customer conference once again demonstrated Carrier’s dedication to helping customers navigate evolving sustainability challenges and regulatory landscapes,” said Andrew Paddock, Managing Director of Carrier Commercial HVAC UK and Nordics. annual customer conference Andrew Paddock adds, “Over the coming months, we will also host conferences for the applied sales and aftermarket service teams in the Nordics & Baltic region, areas of key strategic growth for Carrier.” Carrier’s annual customer conference is a timely opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to helping businesses achieve their sustainability targets, such as avoiding more than 1 gigaton of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. 

Carrier and its partner, Strategic Thermal Labs (STL), are highlighting a number of products and services tailor-made for data centers at this year’s SC24 conference and exhibition in Atlanta. Carrier is a part of Carrier Global Corporation, a global pioneer in intelligent climate and energy solutions. SC24, or SuperComputing24, is a conference and exhibition that draws over 10,000 attendees, hosted by the International Conference for High-Performance Computing, Networking, Storage and Analysis. Carrier Cooling Distribution Units Attendees include scientists, engineers, researchers, educators, programmers, system administrators and developers. This year, the event will take place the week of Nov. 17 at the Georgia World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta. Carrier and Strategic Thermal Labs will be located in booth #3755. Products on display will include a demonstration product for a new family of Carrier Cooling Distribution Units being developed specifically for liquid cooling in high-performance computing applications.  New liquid cooling products Experts from Carrier and Strategic Thermal Labs will also be on hand to answer questions Strategic Thermal Labs will be introducing 10 new liquid cooling products developed to address the increase in processor power, while providing an increase in cooling efficiency and reduction in infrastructure costs. Experts from Carrier and Strategic Thermal Labs will also be on hand to answer questions and highlight the full breadth of solutions for data centers from each company. For Carrier, this includes chillers, air handlers, integrated management solutions, building automation systems, analytics and service solutions. Liquid cooling solutions “Carrier is at the forefront of heating and cooling solutions for customers around the world. We are focused on providing data center customers with best-in-class products and support to bolster their growth and provide them peace of mind,” said Christian Senu, Executive Director, Data Center and Mega-Projects, Carrier, adding “We’re excited to showcase our full set of offerings here at SC24.” Carrier Global Corporation’s venture group, Carrier Ventures, announced an investment and technology partnership with Strategic Thermal Labs earlier this year, allowing Carrier to leverage ground-breaking technology for liquid cooling solutions for data centers. Greenfield AI data center The liquid cooling market is expected to approach $3-5B by 2028, driven by greenfield AI data center builds that will bring significantly higher rack power densities. Liquid cooling accounts for roughly 2% of overall cooling solutions within the data center today and is expected to increase to almost ~30% by 2028. As part of the investment, Carrier’s Vice President for Commercial HVAC Product Management, Marketing and Strategy, Chris Opie, now sits on the Strategic Thermal Labs Board.

Carrier Global Corporation, the global pioneer in intelligent climate and energy solutions, was awarded the World Environment Center's (WEC) 40th Annual Gold Medal for International Corporate Achievement in Sustainable Development. Past award winners of the global competition include Microsoft, Walmart, IBM, and Starbucks. commitment to sustainability "Carrier is honored to be recognized by the prestigious World Environment Center for our progress and commitment to sustainability," said Carrier Chairman & CEO, David Gitlin, adding "We are strategically innovating and expanding our portfolio of solutions through electrification, energy efficiency, and digitally enabled lifecycle solutions to help our customers avoid more than one gigaton of carbon emissions by 2030." He continues, "At Carrier, our 50,000 team members remain committed to pushing the boundaries of what is possible and setting new standards for sustainable development." innovative, energy-efficient solutions The award was presented to Carrier's Chairman & CEO David Gitlin at WEC's Gold Medal Presentation Ceremony The award was presented to Carrier's Chairman & CEO - David Gitlin at WEC's Gold Medal Presentation Ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Nov.13, 2024, by Chairman and CEO of GE Aerospace, H. Lawrence Culp, Jr. "I am pleased to see David and the Carrier team receive this prestigious award," said Mr. Culp, adding "Carrier's dedication to shaping a more sustainable future and its ongoing investments in innovative, energy-efficient solutions is raising the bar in climate leadership." He continues, "On the heels of its successful portfolio transformation, Carrier's pioneering role in driving sustainable progress in its operations, for its customers, and across the entire industry is both inspiring and admirable." climate and energy technologies WEC President and CEO - Margaret O'Gorman, stated, "Congratulations to Carrier on being selected as the 2024 Gold Medal winner in recognition of their steadfast commitment to breakthrough climate and energy technologies and progress toward their 2030 sustainability goals." Margaret O'Gorman adds, "We look forward to Carrier's continued global climate leadership in empowering customers with innovative, sustainable solutions." sustainability in business practices The World Environment Center's Gold Medal for International Corporate Achievement in Sustainable Development, awarded annually since its establishment in 1985, honors a global company that has integrated sustainability into its business practices, created ground-breaking solutions to critical environmental and social challenges, and demonstrated global leadership to accelerate progress toward a sustainable future. An independent Gold Medal Jury comprised of recognized sustainability experts, including international pioneers from academia, government, non-governmental organizations, and retired industry professionals, selects the Gold Medalist through a global competition among nominated companies invited to apply for the Award.

The American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act is among the environmental initiatives and regulations driving the phasedown in the use of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants in the HVAC industry. The AIM Act’s schedule seeks to phase down HFCs by 85% by 2036. The first significant reduction in consumption and production under the AIM Act began on Jan. 1, 2022, representing a 10% reduction from a baseline value. The next major step begins Jan. 1, 2024, with an additional 30% reduction, followed by another 30% reduction starting Jan. 1, 2029. adoption of retrofit or new systems This phasedown, rather than phaseout, approach should prevent any debilitating disruption to the industry; however, the adoption of retrofit or new systems sooner rather than later is key to a smooth transition. “We have a unique opportunity to impact worldwide change, one business, one community at a time by supporting our customers through the phasedown of HFCs,” says Brandon Marshall, Americas Marketing Manager, Stationary and Specialty Applications, The Chemours Company. next-generation products Chemours seeks to help the industry navigate the complex technology and regulatory landscape As the inventor of Freon and Opteon refrigerants, Chemours has been driving evolution in the HVACR industry for nearly a century, innovating next-generation products for diverse needs and applications. As a champion of the HVACR professional, Chemours seeks to help the industry navigate the complex technology and regulatory landscape.  hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) refrigerants Chemours’ Opteon portfolio of hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) refrigerants features zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and low global warming potential (GWP). The refrigerants offer a balance of performance, environmental sustainability, safety, and cost when considering retrofit or new equipment solutions. Chemours pairs these innovations with technical support, education, and customer service delivered by a team of experts with decades of experience. education and training  “Chemours is highly invested in providing the education and training that will facilitate [the transition], as well as delivering solutions that meet each customer’s unique needs, timeline, and budget,” says Marshall. “The vision of the AIM Act aligns perfectly with our corporate commitment to being the leader in sustainable HVACR solutions and a global force in protecting the environment,” adds Marshall. sustainable, better-performing solutions Chemours’ Opteon portfolio helps customers implement the right solution through the phasedown Chemours’ commitment to “courageous chemistry” drives its development of highly sustainable, better-performing solutions. Chemours’ Opteon portfolio helps customers define and implement the right solution through the phasedown. Many systems are still operating with R-22, although the supply is now limited to the reclaimed refrigerant. Due to dwindling supply, these users urgently need to retrofit their systems. The next phasedown under the AIM Act is coming quickly on Jan. 1, 2024.  Market price availability and impact For several years, Chemours has seen commitments from major OEMs to produce equipment operating with HFOs. Marshall says that continued HFC phasedowns, OEM adoption, and increased manufacturing of HFO refrigerants by companies like Chemours will impact market pricing and availability for HFOs and HFCs.  The industry can expect an exponential increase in retrofits and new installations of HFO-charged equipment. R-454B Chemours Opteon XL41 was the “big product” the company emphasized at the AHR Expo in February. The R-454B refrigerant is the new-generation solution paving the way for what lies ahead in the short- and long-term regulatory landscape. It is the lowest-GWP replacement for R-410A on the market offering a 78% reduction in GWP while providing value and peace of mind as the industry transitions away from HFCs, says Chemours. Opteon XL41 The more people we can introduce to Opteon XL41 and the stronger our collaborations, the greater the impact" Opteon XL41 has been selected by leading global OEMs, including Carrier, Johnson Controls, and Rheem, which have announced alignment with Chemours for the utilization of this product. “All of us realize that the more people we can introduce to Opteon XL41 and the stronger our collaborations, the greater the impact we can have in meeting environmental objectives,” says Marshall. commercial refrigeration sector The commercial refrigeration sector is quickly following air conditioning by embracing next-generation products such as Opteon XL10 (R-1234yf/ AR4 GWP 4), Opteon XL20 (R-454C/ AR4 GWP 148), and Opteon XL40 (R-454A/ AR4 GWP 239). “However, many businesses operating refrigeration systems need to walk before they run,” says Marshall. “Not everyone can immediately invest the money and/or time for new installations.” OEMs OEMs are supporting the transition by ensuring a healthy supply of retrofit equipment is available while keeping close tabs on the demand for new equipment charged with next-generation products. Several high-performance, efficient, and environmentally sound retrofit solutions exist utilizing HFO refrigerants such as Opteon XP10 (R-513A/ AR4 GWP 631) and XP40 (R-449A/ AR4 GWP 1397).  Leveraging resources  Ultimately, everyone must appreciate the value of A2Ls and be comfortable using them “By remaining data-driven, suppliers in the industry will be ready to meet changing demands and support the health of businesses and the planet,” says Marshall. Ultimately, everyone must appreciate the value of A2Ls and be comfortable using them. This requires ongoing education and training. There are many opportunities for this already out there, so technicians and the industry need to start or continue to leverage these resources, says Marshall.  webinars Chemours offers a variety of training to ensure the safe use of A2Ls and encourage adoption as soon as it is practical. This includes webinars with several industry partners and leaders, on-site training, online training brochures, videos, and customer support to ensure everyone is prepared for the transition. best practices Fortunately, the use of A2Ls does not amount to a situation of “back to square one” that requires technicians and installers to relearn everything while maintaining current skills to continue to service older systems. In reality, A2Ls such as Opteon XL41 (R-454B) feel very similar to working with R-410A. For R-454B systems, the installation and service procedures are similar to those of R-410A.  Moreover, the best practices that technicians have used for years remain applicable with A2Ls. These refrigerants are safe when handled properly, offer lower toxicity, and have been used effectively around the world to increase efficiency and reduce emissions, says Marshall. Environmentally responsible operations Environmentally responsible operations are a reality that will continue and escalate" “The world is locked into driving towards a more sustainable planet,” says Marshall. “Environmentally responsible operations are a reality that will continue and escalate." "This is driven not only by the regulatory landscape but also by corporate responsibility missions. The businesses that thrive will support these missions at every level of their operations.” sustainability  As the phasedown continues and receives more attention, consumers will join the conversation, driving everyone from contractors to facility managers to show support for environmental sustainability. Marshall says the installers and technicians need to be prepared to service these HFO-driven systems otherwise, that business will “walk out your door.” Regulatory compliance “Regulatory compliance may be the strongest motivator for change currently, but in our industry, every player must work to reduce the overall consumption of higher-GWP products,” says Marshall. “It is our responsibility to the communities we serve.” Chemours is a global chemistry company with leading positions in titanium technologies, thermal and specialized solutions, advanced performance materials, and chemical solutions, all working to create a better world through the power of our chemistry, according to the company.

New tax credits and rebates are poised to infuse billions of dollars into the HVAC marketplace in the United States, making a variety of high-efficiency technologies more affordable for consumers and generating additional revenue in the HVAC market for years to come. clean energy investments A new law provides Americans with access to $370 billion for clean energy investments in the form of tax credits, incentives, and rebates to improve energy efficiency. There is also a tax deduction for owners of commercial buildings retrofitted to meet energy-saving goals. In August 2022, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act, which (despite its name) focuses on billions of dollars of spending on climate change and healthcare. Families can take advantage of clean energy and electric vehicle tax credits to save up to $1,200 per year. Energy-Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit Inflation Reduction Act provides $14,000 in direct consumer rebates for families to buy heat pumps or other home appliances The law renews the Energy-Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit and increases the credit limit for installing high-efficiency equipment such as heat pumps, central air conditioning systems, furnaces, hot water boilers, etc. The program is extended through 2032. The $1,200 annual cap includes up to $600 for a qualified air conditioner or gas furnace, and up to $2,000 for a qualified heat pump, heat pump water heater, or boiler. There are no income requirements, and the tax credit can be combined with local or utility rebates. In addition, the Inflation Reduction Act provides $14,000 in direct consumer rebates for families to buy heat pumps or other energy-efficient home appliances (contingent on income requirements). High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Program The High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Program (HEEHRP) provides point-of-sale rebates as high as $8,000 for a space heating or cooling heat pump. It also provides an $840 rebate on a stove, cooktop, range, oven, or heat pump clothes dryer, and $1,750 for a heat pump water heater. An additional rebate is available for non-appliance upgrades such as insulation, air sealing, and ventilation ($1,000). Rebate criteria There are limits to the amount families can receive, based on income and other factors. For example, a rebate cannot exceed 50% of the cost of a qualified project if the family’s annual income is between 80% and 150% of the median income in the area. For lower-income households, 100% of costs are covered. Each family is limited to $14,000 or less in total rebates under the program. Distribution and benefits Rebates will be distributed through state and tribal governments that establish their qualifying programs Rebates will be available beginning in January 2023 and continue through September 2031. Rebates will be distributed through state and tribal governments that establish their qualifying programs. How the rebates are distributed will vary from state to state. The new law will be a boon to manufacturers and installers of high-efficiency products such as variable-speed compressors and heat pumps.  cleaner, cost-effective product solutions "The federal government is making a substantial investment in electrification, which is a significant step to reducing emissions and combatting climate change,” says Alok Maskara, Chief Executive Officer at Lennox International. “As these new programs and incentives become available, we're committed to supporting Lennox dealers as they provide homeowners with cleaner, cost-effective product solutions for their homes." energy security These incentives present consumers with an opportunity to replace any aging, lower-efficiency HVAC systems" “By bolstering current supplies while accelerating the sustainable energy transition, the energy provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act will strengthen energy security and meaningfully reduce emissions, representing an important step towards a better future,” says Katie McGinty, vice president, and chief sustainability officer, Johnson Controls. "The[se] unprecedented incentives present consumers with a compelling opportunity to replace any aging, lower-efficiency HVAC systems with advanced, high-efficiency technology at a fraction of the cost," says Chris Nelson, President, HVAC, Carrier. cost savings with climate-friendly technologies "The cost savings are measurable for both the initial purchase and monthly energy costs as are the environmental benefits. Encouraging this shift to climate-friendly technologies signals an important step forward, and Carrier is committed to doing its part to drive progress." Carrier has launched its new Carrier EcoHome Program, which offers low-rate financing and additional savings on eligible high-efficiency products such as the Infinity series air conditioners and heat pumps.

Rooftop units (RTUs) withstand a lion’s share of the burden, when it comes to heating and cooling commercial buildings, and they also represent a big portion of a building’s impact on global warming. Traditional low-tech approaches to controlling RTUs have failed to address global warming concerns, and these units, operating independently, may not even deliver sufficiently on the climate demands of a building. Intelligent approach to managing energy demand Providing an intelligent approach to managing energy demand and consumption of RTUs, Encycle Inc. enables multiple RTUs in a large building to operate as a coordinated system. Encycle’s Swarm Logic cloud-based control system also enables RTUs to operate more efficiently, using less energy and minimizing their impact on sustainability. Performance improves in the process. “When you look at RTUs today, they are not the smartest things in the world,” said Ana-Paula Issa, Encycle’s Executive Vice President (EVP) of Sales, adding “The building is an environment, and RTUs need to work together. If we want to maintain 72 degrees in the building, what is the most efficient amount of energy we can use to get there and to run the units as a coordinated system?” Swarm Logic cloud system The intelligent approach offers more flexibility and provides the ability to lower costs The Swarm Logic cloud system collects data from a building’s automation system (BAS), analyzes the data, and operates the building’s RTUs in response to that analysis. The system operates 24/7 and makes independent considerations every five minutes to fine-tune the path to greater efficiency and less energy usage. The operation happens behind the scenes without impacting occupancy comfort. Ana-Paula Issa adds, “For customers, the whole thing is autonomous, they just wait for the savings.” The intelligent approach offers more flexibility and provides the ability to lower costs without impacting occupant comfort. The proposition is especially desirable when compared to processes such as load limiting and load shedding, which can impact occupant comfort. Driven by artificial intelligence (AI) “It’s a more intelligent way to lower consumption,” said Ana-Paula Issa, adding “If you are trying to affect building load profile 24/7, we bring an intelligence factor that looks at set points and analyzes how long RTUs will take to get there.” Swarm Logic considers data points, such as temperature set points, energy draw, run time, the weather, and the thermal load. Driven by artificial intelligence (AI), the system learns and adjusts on the fly to maximize operational efficiency. Similar approach to Google Maps Ana-Paula Issa compares the approach to Google Maps: You plug in a destination (in this comparison, a desired climate control target), and the system creates the quickest, easiest, shortest way to get to the destination. In effect, it provides an intelligent approach to demand and consumption management for RTUs. “We help customers with demand response to help alleviate grid stress and to generate revenue,” said Ana-Paula Issa. The system considers ‘peak demand costs’ in addition to kilowatt hour (kWh) charges and drives operation to minimize the expensive electricity rates, during high demand periods and to maximize use of lower-cost energy when demand is lower. Meeting carbon reduction and sustainability goals The system calculates energy savings and utility base charges, in addition to targeting sustainability goals, primarily carbon reduction. Reducing energy usage during peak demand times can earn a utility customer a lower billing rate. Encycle was founded with an environmental mission, focused on climate change and to manage the impact of general business prospects on climate. Because commercial buildings make up the largest share of energy demand on the grid, it provided a logical place to start. The system calculates energy savings and utility base charges Helping energy managers’ report on carbon reduction “A lot of commercial buildings have made a commitment to sustainability, including a reduction in kWh and carbon,” said Ana-Paula Issa, adding “We are helping energy managers to report on carbon reductions, as well as reducing them. For everything we do on the reduction side, we provide carbon reporting information.” Encycle’s system is applicable to any application that uses RTUs, including large retail stores, and entertainment venues such as movie theatres, arcades, and restaurants. In the education market, they have had a couple of schools sign up. Swarm Stat program The Swarm Stat program provides customers the benefits of the Swarm Logic cloud system The Swarm Stat program provides customers the benefits of the Swarm Logic cloud system, using data from smart thermostats, provided by manufacturers, such as Carrier and Honeywell. The Swarm Logic system works well with buildings in the range of 10,000 to 15,000 square feet, which might have 5 to 7 RTUs, and for commercial buildings that might have 20 or 30 RTUs. Energy savings are achieved with any system that has three RTUs or more. Swarm Logic includes a customer portal providing information on energy costs, RTU performance (including individual RTU operation data), and the overall building profile. Swarm IQ module analyzes data from the BAS An add-on module, Swarm IQ, analyzes data from the BAS, in order to provide additional insight, including trouble-shooting on thousands of units controlled by a typical end-user (such as a large retailer). Historically, problematic buildings or units were only identified when they developed an outage. In contrast, Swarm IQ can see the energy profile of a building and unit, and how long it takes to get to a temperature set point (which might suggest an imminent problem). System-wide analysis System-wide analysis of a large enterprise’s various locations can target the ‘10 worst-performing sites’, for example. In effect, the system creates actionable data that promotes a proactive approach to maintaining the efficient operation of RTUs. “We work with customers to enable them to be more predictive about their maintenance and avoid expensive truck rolls, which include additional charges in case of an emergency,” said Ana-Paula Issa, adding “If you know a unit is going to fail, you can take care of the issue as part of maintenance.” Swarm IQ also enables customers to spend their maintenance dollars more efficiently. A key to Encycle’s success is a close partnership with customers.” Ana-Paula Issa concludes, “When it comes to customers, we want to be a good partner. We’re not just trying to drive energy savings and carbonization goals. We listen to customers; we are driven by customer requests. We have developed the tools we have working with customers and respond to their requests. We have a happy relationship with customers who come on board.”