Clean Heat for All: Room Heat Pump Program
Efficient, Affordable Heating and Cooling for Your Multifamily Building
Modernizing New York State's existing buildings requires innovative solutions and the ability to scale the adoption of clean, energy efficient technologies. Room heat pumps offer a practical pathway to upgrade thousands of multifamily buildings across New York. Through strategic partnerships with manufacturers and building owners, NYSERDA is accelerating the development and deployment of these technologies while collecting critical performance data to build market confidence and drive widespread adoption.
What Are Room Heat Pumps?
Room heat pumps are plug-and-play heating and cooling solutions that do not require electrical service or building electrical infrastructure upgrades, which can mean substantial cost savings. Unlike central systems that require extensive ductwork or mini-splits that need ample space for outdoor compressors and refrigerant lines, room heat pumps install directly into existing window or through-wall openings—making them ideal for retrofits.
Two Types of Room Heat Pumps
The Room Heat Pump Program supports two categories of room heat pump products:
Through-Wall Heat Pumps
Through-wall heat pumps are designed for buildings with through-wall sleeves and can provide efficient heating and cooling without major infrastructure changes. They replace existing equipment in three categories:
- Category 1: Standard-size packaged terminal air conditioning (PTAC)
- Category 2: PTAC in hydronic cabinets
- Category 3: Through-the-wall air conditioning
Window Heat Pumps
Window heat pumps are designed to replace traditional window air conditioners, transforming cooling-only units into year-round heating and cooling solutions. These innovative products fit standard window openings and offer an accessible entry point for energy efficient retrofits.
How the Program Works
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NYSERDA is investing in product development and field demonstrations to ensure both types of room heat pumps perform reliably in New York's diverse climate. We've vetted room heat pump manufacturers to identify products that have been developed to meet New York building owner’s rigorous performance and quality standards. Now we're connecting building owners with these qualified manufacturers to host field demonstrations, collect real-world performance data and accelerate adoption across the State.
Key Benefits
Room heat pumps represent a scalable decarbonization solution. Whether you manage 10 units or 1,000 units, room heat pumps offer a practical path forward without the complexity and cost of central system retrofits:
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Lower-cost equipment and installation. Through Clean Heat for All, you will get heat pump equipment from a vetted manufacturer and installation at an incentivized cost. -
High-efficiency heating and cooling. High-efficiency heat pump technology can reduce energy consumption, helping control utility expenses. -
Year-round comfort for tenants. Room heat pumps provide both efficient heating and cooling, giving tenants improved comfort, temperature control, and indoor air quality throughout all seasons. -
Access to top quality products and performance. These room heat pump products’ quality and performance specifications meet NYSERDA's rigorous program requirements. -
Local Law 97 compliance. Work toward meeting Local Law 97 targets and reducing greenhouse gas emissions with clean technology that can scale across your entire portfolio.
NYSERDA-Qualified Manufacturers List: Through-Wall and Window Heat Pumps
NYSERDA has vetted the following manufacturers through the Room Heat Pump Program for both through-wall and window heat pumps.
Do you have a building in climate zone 5 or 6 [PDF] 
? Apply to be qualified to host a NYSERDA-funded field demonstration of new through-wall heat pump products.
Through-Wall Heat Pump Manufacturers
Connect with manufacturers that have been awarded funding through the Room Heat Pump Program and are developing advanced cold-climate, through-wall heat pump products. Pre-qualified building owners are eligible to host NYSERDA-funded field demonstrations in their properties and experience the benefits of these products. The qualification process for buildings in the New York City boroughs and Westchester County has closed. Review preliminary through-wall heat pump specifications [PDF].
Category 1: Standard-size packaged terminal air conditioning (PTAC)
Room heat pumps designed to replace PTACs in standard-size wall sleeves, typically measuring 16” high and 42” wide. Standard-size PTACs are common in multifamily buildings and hotels.
Category 2: PTAC in hydronic cabinets
Room heat pumps designed to replace PTACs in hydronic heat cabinets. Existing hydronic PTACs provide air conditioning while heating is provided by a central hydronic system. This category of heat pumps will provide both cooling and heating without relying on the central system. Hydronic PTACs are common in post-2000 multifamily buildings, especially in New York City.
Category 3: Through-the-wall air conditioning
Room heat pumps compatible with through-wall sleeves designed to house through-the-wall air conditioners, providing year-round heating and cooling. Common in multifamily buildings throughout New York State.
Window Heat Pump Manufacturers
Connect directly with these qualified vendors to discuss participating in PON 6037 
and packaged window heat pump solutions for your building:
Have Questions?
For any additional questions you may have, or for general support and guidance about the Clean Heat for All: Room Heat Pump Program, reach out and our team will be happy to help.
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