Commercial Capital By David Rames


Leveraging Residential Multi-Zone Heat Pump Technology in Light Commercial Applications to Increase Customer Comfort and Reduce Costs


go hand-in-hand. A simple solution HVAC professionals can recommend to their cus- tomers that checks all three boxes for light commercial applications is replacing aging or outdated rooftop HVAC systems with the latest innovation: inverter heat pump technology. While heat pumps have existed for years in residential applications, huge strides have been made in the technology, making today’s most cutting-edge models attractive for commercial contractors to offer to facility managers as an alternative to what they have they have used for years.


T Inverter Heat Pump Benefits


The Department of Energy (DOE) is aware of the efficiencies of inverter heat pumps. In February 2022, it launched the Residen- tial Cold-Climate Heat Pump Technology Challenge, which many HVAC manufactur- ers have joined. This initiative is encour- aging the industry to develop the next generation of cold climate heat pump tech- nology which can effectively generate the needed heat during colder weather with- out the need for auxiliary heat strips. Under new tax guidelines in the Infla-


tion Reduction Act, homeowners who install qualifying heat pumps in 2023 are eligible for tax credits up to $2,000. This incentive goes hand in hand with exist- ing and forthcoming mandates from cities and states that have banned natural gas from construction in new buildings (so far: California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Vermont, New York City, Seattle, Wash- ington DC, and more). Utility companies also offer rebates to homeowners who have switched, and rebates for commer- cial applications may be coming next. Inverter technology heat pumps function


as both air conditioners in the summertime and heaters in cooler months. They are far


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he comfort of patrons is a top prior- ity for managers and owners of retail facilities like restaurants and shops. Cost savings and energy efficiency


more efficient, comfortable, and long-term cost-effective than traditional rooftop com- mercial HVAC units. This next-generation heat pump compressor technology runs on variable speeds to use the minimum amount of energy required to maintain con- sistent comfort for temperature and humid- ity while featuring ultra-quiet operation. Consider a restaurant built 10-20 years


ago with one 20-ton unit on its roof. The com- pressor will run periodically on hot days to condition the inside air to a set temperature. The unit shuts off at the desired temperature, then turns back on once the inside tempera- ture rises. The system is loud, the ‘off’ periods yield spikes in temperature without being able to consistently manage humidity and the constant on/off cycling is energy ineffi- cient. Plus, in a traditional HVAC system, only one thermostat and zone cover the entire space, resulting in uneven temperatures – customers by the east-side windows shiver as those by the sunny windows on the west side sweat while the system combats beam- ing afternoon sunlight with a one-size-fits- all approach. By leveraging multiple 5-ton inverter technology heat pumps – which have higher SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) ratings to begin with – along with an indoor air handling unit (AHU) working in tandem with custom-selected multi-splits indoor heads, the same space could feature multiple thermostats and zones to offer tai- lored control and consistent comfort and humidity within a building.


The Investment


Making this investment yields a final ben- efit: longevity. In traditional commercial rooftop HVAC units, all of the heating and cooling components sit outside, and expo- sure to the elements reduces both efficiency and longevity. Installing these systems also requires multiple large roof penetrations and complicated installation, requiring coordination with a skilled roofer to prevent leaks or the heavy structure from damaging


the roof over time. Further, gas units that are exposed to outdoor elements must work harder to regulate inside climates, and 20% of the energy used to generate heat is wasted and vented into the atmosphere. Electric rooftop units, which cannot hold tempera- ture on cold days, require the use of auxil- iary heat strips – one of the most inefficient ways to generate heat. Inverter heat pump technology solves this issue as the latest systems can mix and match ducted AHUs and ductless wall-hung, ceiling-mounted and floor-mounted units to create a flexible multi-zone system. By working more effi- ciently, inverter heat pumps can last about 20 years, or approximately twice as long as traditional commercial HVAC systems. Switching to a residential-style inverter compressor heat pump also reduces the size and number of roof penetrations, which fur- ther promotes energy efficiency by minimiz- ing unconditioned outside air infiltration as well as the safety and longevity of the roof. In light commercial applications, mul-


tiple 5-ton heat pumps could replace large rooftop units and, when coupled with a mix of AHUs and ductless indoor units, offer retail and restaurants a more ver- satile multi-zone system to maximize customer comfort and reduce costs. The upfront purchase price to switch to a high- quality inverter technology heat pump system will pay off quickly as energy bills decrease and happy customers return – all while helping to do what’s right for the planet by reducing energy consumption. Do you want to learn how to offer this


opportunity to your clients? Visit www. midea.com/us for more information.


David Rames is the Senior Product Manager at Midea America Corp., an ACCA Corporate Partner. Midea creates home appliance innovations that not only perform a function but have a meaningful impact for those who use them.


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