Working For A Better World... Inside & Out

  Timeline of Environmental Achievements

1922 Dr. Willis H. Carrier invents the centrifugal refrigeration machine and a safer refrigerant, Dielene, which replaces the dangerous ammonia previously used. With the advent of Dielene, air conditioning becomes available to the general public in movie theaters, department stores and other public buildings.
1928 Carrier introduces the first condensing furnace.
Late
1930s
Dr. Carrier pioneers smaller room air conditioners, made possible by the availability of the non-flammable, non-toxic refrigerant, Freon, for use in small commercial establishments.
1938 Carrier introduces the revolutionary Conduit Weathermaster System which eliminates the need for large ductwork along walls and ceilings to distribute air. Space-efficient skyscrapers are now practical.
1979 Carrier introduces the technology of powder paint to the HVAC industry. Over the next decade, the company successfully replaces solvent-based paints in most of its manufacturing plants.
1980 Carrier Corporation initiates a "Clean Technologies Strategy," a platform which supports a wide variety of manufacturing, environmental, safety and marketing initiatives. By implementing this strategy, Carrier reduces its toxic air emissions by 90 percent and its hazardous wastes by 70 percent over the next decade.
1983 Parker Electronics in Jacksonville, Fla., is founded to market and manufacture electronic controls for Carrier commercial and residential equipment. Parker engineers develop variable volume, variable temperature (VVT) technology for commercial zoning systems.
1986 Carrier's McMinnville, Tenn., plant wins the Tennessee Governor's Award for Excellence in Hazardous Waste Management.
1987 Carrier introduces the WeatherMakerTM Infinity condensing gas furnace, the first 90 percent plus Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) gas furnace with variable-speed blower and inducer motors.
1988 Carrier introduces the integrated Hydrotech 2000 heat pump, which provides domestic hot water in addition to space heating and cooling.
1989 Carrier introduces the quietest residential air conditioners and heat pumps -- the Olympia Series.
1990 Carrier announces a $70 million commitment over the next five years to find solutions to the CFC refrigerant problem.

Carrier's Knoxville, Tenn., plant receives the Environmental Excellence Award from the Tennessee Association of Business.

Carrier introduces the Infinity 2000 variable-capacity air conditioners and heat pumps, the most efficient residential units in the industry.

1991 Carrier's Indianapolis manufacturing plant receives the Clean Air Award from the city's Clean Air Committee.

Carrier introduces Comfort ZoneTM, an affordable zoning system for median-priced homes, which can save homeowners up to 30 percent on their annual heating and cooling costs.

March
1991
Carrier hosts the first Annual Alliance for Energy Conservation conference, bringing together trade groups, industry allies and members of the media to discuss realistic solutions for energy management in residential homes.
1992 Grass roots efforts evolve into a Carrier-wide recycling program which results in an 81 percent reduction in waste disposal including wood, paper, cardboard, scrap metal and a variety of other materials.
Feb.
1992
Carrier becomes a partner in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Green Lights program, which reduces energy demand and pollution by helping leaders in the business community voluntarily convert to energy-efficient lighting.
Dec.
1992
Carrier announces its policy to cease manufacture of CFC-based chillers by the end of 1993, two years before the deadline established by the Clean Air Act. Carrier offers an expanded line of chillers using chlorine-free HFC-134a refrigerant.
1993 Carrier announces a new marketing and manufacturing mission, "Working for a Better World Inside and Out."

Carrier introduces the WeatherMakerTM Two-Zone zoning system, which allows owners of all size homes to personalize their comfort while maximizing energy savings.

Carrier achieves an industry-high 17.1 SEER rating with the Synergy 2000 air conditioner and FK4B fan coil.

Carrier eliminates use of ozone-depleting substances in manufacturing processes, i.e., paints.

Carrier's Syracuse site initiates composting of organic wastes.

June
1993
Carrier dedicates an air conditioning system to control the temperature, humidity and cleanliness inside the Vaticans Sistine Chapel, protecting the newly restored frescoes created by Michelangelo from 1508-1512. Pope John Paul II commends Carrier for, ... (developing) a system of sophisticated technology what will go a long way in ensuring that the results achieved through the restoration of the frescoes in the chapel will last for many generations to come.
Oct.
1993
Carrier's Collierville, Tenn., plant wins the Tennessee Association of Business' air quality excellence and environmental excellence awards.
Dec. 31
1993
Carrier ends North American production of CFC-based chillers. Carrier plans to end worldwide production of CFC-based chillers by the end of 1994.
Feb.
1994
Carrier's Indianapolis gas furnace and fan coil factory, the largest in the world, begins a source reduction program to use 100 percent recycled content packaging in all of its shipping materials.
April
1994
Carrier announces a revolutionary advance in chiller refrigeration cycle technology, which will improve energy efficiency of its chlorine-free HFC-134a centrifugal chillers.
April
1994
Combining environmental leadership with energy efficiency and comfort, Carrier rolls out the first chlorine-free, HFC-134a residential air conditioner, the WeatherMakerTM 134a Zero Ozone Depletion unit. Carrier also introduces a new line of mercury-free, all-electronic thermostats.
Sept.
1994
Carrier’s Alliance for Energy Efficiency Conference is awarded the National Association of Professional Environmental Communicators Excellence Award.
Oct.
1994
Carrier receives the New York States Governors Award for Energy Excellence and the New York State Governors Award for Innovation in Energy for the ACE technology. The program recognizes the link between energy and the environment and pays tribute to energy projects that have significant environmental benefits.

Carrier is awarded the U.S. EPAs Stratospheric Ozone Protection Award for leadership in product development and technology. In particular, Carrier is recognized for developing the new ACE technology that significantly improves the operating efficiencies of its commercial centrifugal chillers, and for developing the worlds first residential central air conditioner that uses chlorine-free refrigerant, the WeatherMaker 134a.

Dec.
1994
The TIERRA Series 48/50GJ commercial rooftop unit is the first rooftop unit to use chlorine-free refrigerant R-407C, a blend of R-32, HFC-125 and HFC-134a, which has zero ozone depletion potential. Available in 4- through 10-ton sizes, the 48/50GJ achieves competitive cooling efficiency levels and an industry-leading 82 percent AFUE for gas heating.
Jan.
1995
Carrier introduces the 19XT ACE chiller, the worlds most efficient chiller that uses environmentally safe, chlorine-free HFC-134a refrigerant. It is also the first product to use the newly patented turbine technology that enables high efficiency in Carrier’s HFC-134a centrifugal chillers. The ACE chiller offers operating efficiencies up to a world-class .56 kW/ton at full load ARI 550-92 conditions.

The new 40RM packaged air handler provides unprecedented indoor air quality (IAQ) features. It features Tuf-Skin Rx TM insulation, with a coating which incorporates an EPA-registered antimicrobial agent which resists growth of bacteria and fungi.

April
1995
Carrier’s Tyler, Texas, small packaged and small rooftop plant wins United Technologies’ Environmental, Health and Safety (EH&S) award for excellence, recognizing the plants reduction of toxic air emissions by 87 percent and hazardous waste by 60 percent. The Tyler plant also was accepted as a new member of Clean Industries 2000, a program sponsored by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission to serve as a model for successful, voluntary pollution reduction programs.
June
1995
Carrier’s ComfortWORKS TM software interface increases building performance by allowing facility managers to monitor and manage several building systems, including heating and cooling, lighting and energy use.
Oct.
1995
Carrier wins the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) 1995 National Awards Program for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. The special recognition award, given by DOEs Office of Technical and Financial Assistance, recognizes those who have implemented energy-related measures that benefit the nations environment, economy and security.
Dec.
1995
The new model 48HX dual fuel heat pump lowers energy costs by automatically switching to gas heating from electric heat pump operation, depending on outdoor temperatures. Using a unique, built-in outdoor thermostat that is field-adjustable to the economic thermal balance point of the geographical area, the 48HX senses when it can deliver heat more effectively using gas than electricity.

Carrier unveils its new 20- to 45-ton rooftop heating and cooling unit, which combines cost-efficiency with high-tier performance features. The Carrier 48/50EJ features direct digital controls (DDC), variable frequency drive and economizers for superior air delivery performance and improved indoor air quality (IAQ). In addition, the robost construction enhances unit reliability.

The new, compact Carrier 50ZP packaged air conditioner features compact design and is the first application of a plastic composite material. As a result, the base and drain pan are 100 percent rust- and corrosion-proof, a feature that can add years to the units operating life. Two features also assure superior indoor air quality. The sloped drain pan helps prevent microbial growth by minimizing the possibility of standing water, and the units insulation is sealed with foil, making it easy to clean.

May
1996
At the request of the National Geographic Society, Carrier builds a one-of-a-kind refrigeration unit, employing a packaged terminal air conditioner (PTAC), to help preserve the nearly intact remains of a 500-year-old Peruvian mummy. The refrigeration unit and display case permit more than 100 ,000 visitors to view the female Inca teenager during a month-long exhibit in Washington, D.C.

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