The ClimateMaster Trilogy 40 Q-Mode geothermal heat pump is an integrated heat pump (IHP) system.
It has the capability of providing all of the space heating, cooling, and water heating requirements for a residential or small commercial building.
Energy consumption is greatly reduced by a trilogy of variable speed technologies:
1) inverter-driven compressor,
2) indoor air blower, and
3) water pumps, all of which feature permanent magnet electric motor technology.
These components enable the heat pump to match the heating or cooling output to meet house loads with much greater efficiencies at part-load conditions. By reducing the speed of the pump and blower motors when heating or cooling demand is low, the heat pump reduces electricity consumption by 80% or more during much of the year. The compressor can be driven at higher speeds when the heating demand is high, allowing the system to minimize or eliminate the use of electric resistance backup heat in cold climates.
The Trilogy 40 Q-Mode is designed to provide all of the space conditioning and water heating needs of a typical residence. It accomplishes this while providing 24.5% to 37.0% energy savings versus its main competition (WaterFurnace Series 5 and 7 heat pump systems, and Bosch heat pump systems), which also use the earth as a heat source and sink. Compared to a minimum efficiency system (air source heat pump and electric water heater), the Trilogy demonstrated savings of 52% to more than 65%.
The lab and field test results were fed back to the design process to recalibrate the simulation tools, and the process was repeated.
ClimateMaster and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) engaged in a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) from 2008 through 2013 with a goal of developing and introducing an innovative IHP product to the U.S. market. Under the CRADA, the partners worked iteratively to develop system and controls designs, convert those to working prototypes, and test the prototypes in a lab and in the field to provide feedback on test results to the design process. The lab and field test results were fed back to the design process to recalibrate the simulation tools, and the process was repeated. Over the course of the CRADA, about three development process iterations were completed, culminating with the introduction of the Trilogy 40 IHP system to the U.S. market.
ClimateMaster, Inc. has been able to successfully add to its image as the world's largest and most innovative manufacturer of innovative water source and ground source heat pump systems. The Trilogy 40 system is the first water source heat pump to achieve a certified efficiency rating of 40 EER (energy efficiency ratio) in accordance with the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute's (AHRI) strictest water source heat pump rating criteria.