NEW YORK — Carrier Global Corp. has initiated the largest field trial in its 123-year history, testing battery-enabled HVAC systems designed to shift energy demand and support grid resilience. The project, launched September 4, 2025, spans multiple U.S. regions and involves collaboration with utilities and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI).
The trials will measure real-world load shifting, demand response, and emissions reduction potential as Carrier integrates its next-generation Home Energy Management System (HEMS) into selected households.
Turning HVAC into Grid Assets
By pairing variable-speed heat pumps with battery storage, Carrier aims to transform HVAC systems from passive energy consumers into active grid resources. The integrated systems will:
- Shift HVAC energy consumption from peak to off-peak hours.
- Maintain home cooling comfort during peak demand periods.
- Support renewable integration by charging batteries when renewable generation is high.
- Provide flexible load capacity for utilities to defer costly infrastructure upgrades.
Market Impact and Scale
Carrier estimates that its 30 million residential HVAC units represent a potential 100 gigawatts of flexible load — equivalent to more than 10% of U.S. peak electricity demand. Such scale could help utilities balance the grid more effectively while accelerating the adoption of renewables.
Industry Collaboration
The EPRI partnership ensures that trial data will be standardized and widely applicable for utilities across the country. The research findings will guide utilities in demand response planning, renewable integration, and long-term infrastructure investment strategies.
Carrier’s trial reflects growing interest in electrification and distributed energy resources, as energy companies seek scalable solutions to rising demand, climate mandates, and grid modernization.
“This trial is a critical step toward reimagining home HVAC systems as flexible energy assets that can stabilize the grid while reducing emissions,” Carrier said in its statement.
