WATERTOWN, Mass. — Bosch Home Comfort is introducing a new product category with the market launch of the IDS Ultra cold-climate heat pump. Originally unveiled at the AHR Expo and Consumer Electronics Show (CES) earlier this year, the IDS Ultra cold-climate heat pump is designed for all seasons, even when the temperature falls below zero.

“The IDS Ultra has been carefully designed and rigorously tested to withstand low temperatures while maintaining strong performance,” said Mohamad Nasab, senior product manager at Bosch, in a press release. “With this latest innovation, Bosch is proud to be the first to market with an extreme heat system, as well as play a role in making energy-efficient home heating and cooling more accessible across almost all climate zones in the United States. We expect IDS Ultra to fulfill a major need for homeowners living in colder regions who are looking to reduce their carbon footprint while maintaining the same level of comfort, especially during those harsh winter months.“

Bosch is one of a handful of companies to receive certification from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) following its Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge, which subjected participants’ heat pumps to extensive testing. The IDS Ultra is the first solution from the challenge to enter the market, the company said.

Bosch’s IDS Ultra can provide heat in temperatures as low as -13°F, and has a 100% heating capacity down to 5°F. It is also compliant with the new low-GWP A2L refrigerant requirements.

Historically, the colder it is outside, the harder it is for heat pumps to extract heat from the air. However, the IDS Ultra is outfitted with an enhanced vapor injection (EVI) compressor that borrows extra heat from the hot side of the refrigerant cycle, redirecting it to warm the home, boosting performance and overall comfort on the coldest days, the company said. Additionally, the IDS Ultra features demand-response capability, allowing utilities (with the homeowner’s permission) to manage electrical load prior to peak usage time to avoid outages.

The IDS Ultra qualifies for federal tax credits and state rebates as an Energy Star- and Cold Climate-certified product. The IDS Ultra has a residential limited warranty and is widely compatible with existing air-to-air systems, the press release said.

IDS Ultra heat pumps are now available for purchase by HVAC industry professionals in time for the 2024 winter season.