U.S. Energy Department Launches New Better Buildings Initiative Aimed to Facilitate More Efficient Heat Pump Technologies

The U.S. Energy Department on April 3 unveiled new Better Building Initiatives aimed at helping organizations across various sectors of the economy enhance energy efficiency, cut costs, and reduce emissions. One of the notable initiatives is the Better Buildings Commercial Building Heat Pump Accelerator, which will facilitate the production of advanced, life cycle cost-effective heat pump rooftop units by manufacturers. Commercial entities will assess and adopt next-generation heat pump technologies.

This initiative strives to introduce more efficient and affordable heat pump rooftop units to the market by 2027, with the potential to halve both emissions and energy costs compared to conventional natural gas-fueled heat pumps. If widely deployed, these advancements could collectively save U.S. businesses and commercial establishments $5 billion annually on utility bills.

With the U.S. spending approximately $800 billion yearly on powering buildings, and an estimated 20 to 30 percent of the nation’s energy currently wasted, there is a significant opportunity to improve energy efficiency. Through the Better Buildings Initiative, the department collaborates with a range of stakeholders from the public and private sectors to pursue ambitious goals for energy, waste, water, and emissions reductions across portfolios, sharing innovative solutions publicly. By enhancing building design, materials, equipment, and operations, the initiative aims to drive energy efficiency gains across various sectors of the economy.

The Better Buildings Initiative represents a concerted effort by the department to work alongside public and private sector organizations in enhancing the efficiency of commercial, public, industrial, and residential buildings. This results in energy and cost savings as well as emissions reductions, while strengthening the economy. To date, over 900 Better Buildings partners have collectively saved a remarkable $18.5 billion in energy costs while showcasing their innovative approaches to efficiency.