This technology uses transcritical CO2 as a working fluid to efficiently provide both heating, cooling, and hot water in a single combined HVAC and water heating system.
Background: Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, along with water heating units, are essential components in residential and commercial buildings, providing thermal comfort and hot water for daily use. Traditionally, these systems operate independently, each consuming significant amounts of energy, which contributes to high utility costs and increased greenhouse gas emissions. As global energy demand rises and environmental concerns intensify, there is a growing need for more efficient and sustainable solutions that can address both space conditioning and water heating requirements in a single, integrated system. Current approaches typically rely on separate HVAC and water heating units, which often use conventional refrigerants with high global warming potential and limited energy efficiency. These systems can be bulky, expensive to install and maintain, and may not fully capitalize on opportunities to recover and reuse waste heat. Additionally, the use of traditional working fluids poses environmental risks due to their ozone depletion and greenhouse gas effects. As a result, there is a pressing need for technologies that can reduce energy consumption, lower emissions, and utilize environmentally friendly refrigerants while delivering reliable performance for both heating and cooling applications.
Technology Overview: This technology integrates heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) with water heating into a single, unified system that uses a transcritical CO2 (carbon dioxide) working fluid. By leveraging the unique thermodynamic properties of CO2 in a transcritical cycle, the system efficiently manages both space conditioning and domestic hot water production. The design allows for simultaneous or independent operation of heating, cooling, and water heating functions, optimizing energy use and reducing the need for separate appliances. The use of CO2, a natural refrigerant, also ensures low environmental impact and compliance with increasingly stringent regulations on synthetic refrigerants. The technology is adaptable for air or water as an outdoor or indoor heat source, enabling flexibility for different building configurations. The differentiation of this technology lies in its use of transcritical CO2 cycles, which enable higher efficiency and performance across a wide range of ambient temperatures compared to conventional systems using hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants. CO2’s excellent heat transfer characteristics and low global warming potential make it an environmentally responsible choice. Additionally, the integration of HVAC and water heating functions streamlines installation, reduces equipment footprint, and lowers overall energy consumption. This holistic approach not only delivers superior operational efficiency but also addresses sustainability goals, positioning it as a forward-thinking solution for residential and commercial applications.
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Advantages: • Energy-efficient space heating and cooling through a single integrated system • Environmentally friendly operation using transcritical CO2 as a natural refrigerant • Reduced carbon footprint compared to traditional HVAC and water heating systems • Space-saving design by combining HVAC and water heating functionalities • Integrated, plug-and-play solution for complex building electrification retrofit projects • Air or water source adaptability as outdoor-indoor heating sources • Potential for lower operational and maintenance costs due to system integration
Applications: • Residential heating and cooling • Commercial building climate control and domestic hot water supply • Multi-family apartment HVAC systems • Industrial process heating integration • Data center heat recovery system
Intellectual Property Summary: Patent application filed: 1/3/2025. PCT/US25/10170
Stage of Development: TRL 4
Licensing Status: This technology is available for licensing.