The Empire Technology Prize, or ETP, is a competitive opportunity for companies and innovators around the world to focus on advancing building technologies for low-carbon heating system retrofits in tall buildings.
Fifty percent of existing buildings are likely to still be in use in 2050 — meaning that the current building stock must be included as part of a comprehensive decarbonization strategy.
“We are excited to be recognized by Good Housekeeping,” said David Budzinski, president of the global residential and light commercial division at Johnson Controls.
The Department of Energy recently proposed new higher energy efficiency standards for residential water heaters. Industry is split over whether the new standards will help or hurt consumers.
The decarbonization trend has spurred the development of new cooling equipment technologies that often use humidity control to increase efficiency and reduce emissions.
The conference in Austin, Texas, which drew 240 building industry professionals, included keynotes, paper presentations, seminars, vendor demonstrations, panel discussions, and debates from more than 90 presenters.
Midea America has a contract for 20,000 window heat-pump units, and the startup Gradient Comfort has a contract for 10,000 units, to be installed at public housing in New York City as a way of providing residents with heating and cooling equipment that doesn't burn fossil fuels and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from those buildings.