INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Strengthening its position as a leader in innovative heating and cooling systems, Carrier Corporation, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), recently introduced the next advancement in the growing trend of energy efficient products - a Hybrid Heat™ system. With fuel and energy costs continuing to fluctuate, homeowners remain apprehensive about properly heating their homes and the solution is Hybrid Heat. A Hybrid Heat system is a fuel-saving alternative to traditional heating and cooling systems that combines a furnace with a heat pump, rather than an air conditioner. This marks Carrier's latest innovation in its commitment to the conservation of energy and total comfort solutions for homeowners.
Homeowners Can Turn to the Experts to Embrace Energy Efficiency
"For homeowners, the end of inexpensive heating gas and oil and the concern over energy efficiency has become a reality," says Halsey Cook, president, Carrier Residential and Light Commercial. "A Hybrid Heat system is the next phase in responsible treatment of our environment by reducing energy consumption, which will help to lower monthly heating bills this winter."
Happy Homes, Healthy Environment
The secret behind a Hybrid Heat system is Carrier's state-of-the-art heat pump. A heat pump works as an air conditioner in hot weather, but can also reverse the process and heat the home when cold weather arrives. Rather than burning fuel to generate heat, the heat pump moves heat without a flame, making it a more efficient method of heating a home. Additionally, some Carrier heat pumps feature Puron® non-ozone-depleting refrigerant which will help homeowners prepare for the elimination of R-22 in 2010, making them an environmentally sound option.
Traditionally, heat pumps, which operate using electricity, are most popular in warmer regions where temperatures do not typically dip as low as they would in colder climates during the winter months. In colder regions, homeowners frequently need a furnace because temperatures often drop below freezing in the winter. However, with the elevated price of oil and gas, heating with a gas or oil furnace may be more expensive than using electricity.
"The rising price of gas and oil has spurred a great interest in alternative heating solutions this winter," said Tim Perry, manager, Carrier heating products. "A Hybrid Heat system will allow homeowners to save money for years to come, since they can always choose which source of heat they would like to use, based on the cost of gas and electricity."
Carrier's Hybrid Heat Operating Cost Calculator also helps homeowners save on heating costs by pinpointing the exact operating levels for the most cost and energy efficient use. The Operating Cost Calculator is a software program the dealer uses to enter information about the oil and gas prices in the homeowners' area, and based on those costs, it will give the homeowner annual savings estimates of a Hybrid Heat System. The tool will also provide a precise temperature that the system should switch from using electricity to gas, in order to ensure maximum savings.
About Carrier Corporation
Carrier Corporation is the world's largest manufacturer of heating, air conditioning and refrigeration systems and equipment. It is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation (NYSE:UTX), provider of a broad range of high-technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.
For more information about Carrier products, visit www.carrier.com
Contact: Jillian Kwolek/Christina Cozzi
212/697-2600
jkwolek@gibbs-soell.com
ccozzi@gibbs-soell.com