5 Innovative Steps on Carrier’s Sustainability Journey

Carrier’s commitment to sustainability relies on product development and manufacturing techniques that contribute to energy solutions.

Innovations in heat pump technology are commonly recognized as one solution among many that can lead to less reliance on fossil fuels and a reduction in negative environmental impacts. Carrier, a global supplier of heating, air conditioning and ventilation solutions, is investing $4 billion in a range of energy solutions that will help their customers avoid more than 1 gigaton of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

Dr. Ravi Annapragada, the Director of Product Sustainability at Carrier plays a key role in advancing sustainability initiatives through development of product sustainability strategy, innovation, partnerships, and execution. 

“Carrier’s sustainability strategy goes far beyond product innovation,” Dr. Annapragada says. “We’re investing across the entire clean energy ecosystem—from electrification and digital platforms to advanced refrigerants and cold chain technologies—to help our customers reduce emissions and build a more resilient future.”

Carrier’s priorities include achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, diverting 95% of operational waste from landfill disposal, deploying water stewardship programs, and reducing their overall energy use by 10%. Heat pumps are at the core of this strategy since they can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 38% to 53% over a 15-year period and reduce 20-year global warming potential by 53% to 67% when compared to a gas furnace. High-efficiency electric heat pumps can save homeowners utility bills.

In 2025, Carrier launched their first Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for residential HVAC solutions in North America, specifically for Carrier's Comfort Fan Coil and Performance Variable-Speed Compact Heat Pump. The EPD, based on rigorous life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology, provides a comprehensive overview of the environmental impacts associated with the production, use and disposal of the fan coil and heat pump. It includes key metrics such as carbon dioxide performance, energy consumption and natural resource usage.

“Transparency is key,” Dr. Annapragada emphasizes. “Our Environmental Product Declarations help customers and partners understand the full lifecycle impact of our products, reinforcing our commitment to measurable sustainability. We not only build trust by providing transparency, we also enable continuous improvement across our value chain.”

But Carrier’s residential sustainability innovations extend beyond heat pumps.

• Geothermal Heat Pumps Traditional heat pumps and air conditioners rely on outdoor air temperatures, which fluctuate widely. Carrier’s geothermal heat pumps use natural heat storage ability from the earth as their starting point, which results in a highly efficient system that uses less energy, costs less over time and provides a consistent temperature for comfort. Annual heating and cooling savings for homeowners are estimated to range from 33% to 65% compared to traditional HVAC systems. Another advantage of a geothermal system is that without an outdoor unit, there’s less pollution from venting, no noise and no aesthetic impact from the equipment.

• Home Energy Management (HEMS) Carrier’s Home Energy Management System (HEMS) is an advanced platform that integrates smart HVAC systems, battery storage, and AI-powered analytics to optimize residential energy use. This setup reduces reliance on the grid during peak electricity pricing, helping homeowners lower utility bills and reduce carbon emissions. 

It also supports grid resilience through demand response and load balancing, making it valuable not only for consumers but also for utilities and grid operators. Enhanced by Carrier’s partnership with Google Cloud, the system uses AI-driven forecasting and real-time optimization to advance sustainability goals.

“We’re turning every home into a smart energy hub—cutting costs, shrinking carbon footprints, and supporting a more resilient grid,” says Dr. Annapragada. “HEMS is a cornerstone of that vision.”

• Ductless Mini-Splits Homeowners looking to upgrade their HVAC system and builders who want more flexibility with their HVAC systems can rely on Carrier’s ductless mini splits, including ductless air conditioners and ductless heat pump mini splits. These new options can fit in any space, even where traditional HVAC systems don't–and they eliminate the need for window unit air conditioners. With their virtually endless configurations, ductless heating and air conditioning systems deliver comfort with minimal visual impact. As the name implies, they don’t require ducts inside the walls. Instead, these wall mounted air handlers are flexible, and work wherever needed.

• Air-to-Water Heat Pumps At the 2025 International Builders Show, Carrier introduced their first Domestic Hot Water Air-to-Water (DHW A2W) Heat Pump, which provides a complete heating and air conditioning system along with hot water. The compact outdoor unit saves space and provides flexibility for both newly built homes and retrofits. The DWH A2W Heat Pump integrates domestic hot water solutions with a variety of functions including radiant floor heating, forced air systems, chilled panels, and even driveway warming systems.

• Cold Climate Heat Pumps An ongoing concern about heat pumps is the fear that they won’t work as well in a cold climate. As part of a Department of Energy challenge, Carrier participated in a demonstration project in Syracuse, N.Y. to test the limits of their Carrier Infinity variable-speed heat pumps with Greenspeed Intelligence and advanced cold climate technology trial units. 

The results? The units operated at 100% capacity at 0 degrees Fahrenheit; operated reliably down to -13 degrees Fahrenheit in the field, and down to -23 degrees Fahrenheit in Carrier labs. In addition, the heat pumps worked with Carrier’s advanced Infinity System Control even in the coldest of weather. The cold climate heat pumps offer homeowners in cold climates a reliable and energy efficient option.

“Sustainability isn’t a single initiative—it’s a mindset that guides everything we do,” says Dr. Annapragada. “From product design to partnerships and digital transformation, we’re building a future where innovation and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.”