According to David Rames, senior product manager, Central AC Systems, Midea America Research Center, Midea’s cold climate heat pump — part of the Department of Energy’s Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge — tested at 118% of its rated heating capacity at -15°F. Midea took that technology and added some enhancements on the cooling side, so the compressor will now cool at 149°F outside temperature.
“We have a distributor, I think, in hell now,” he joked. “We’re now calling it our all-climate heat pump.”
However, it was the latching modular design of the AHU that drew interest from attendees. Capable of being separated into three manageable pieces thanks to the “Block N Lock” design, the AHU is optimized for single installers, especially when maneuvering into challenging spaces like attics, basements, or crawlspaces. With its multi-position installation configuration, the industry-exclusive LowBoy application allows for unparalleled flexibility in fitting within existing HVAC spaces, and the multi-voltage compatibility in a single unit eliminates the need for voltage adjustments, ideal for replacing gas furnaces. Its narrow width of 14.5 inches to 21 inches allows the EVOX G3 to fit into spaces that others cannot.
Rames says Midea interviewed many contractors and distributors and took what they said to heart when it came to designing the AHU.
“They need it to be easier to install, troubleshoot, and service,” he explains. “The biggest issues were attics, basements, and hard-to-reach spots. Most air handlers are just one big box. In about two minutes, we can break this thing down to move in three easy-to-move pieces with the latches. We’re making it safer and far more efficient. Not only is the contractor saving money as far as workman’s comp claims, but there will be less labor, and we’ve also shrunk down the size so it can fit into a lot of different places.”
Rames also points to the A2L refrigerant transition as the biggest challenge facing the HVACR industry this year.
“You’ve got two choices, R-32 or R-454B, and for us the decision was easy, we went with R-454B,” he says. “One [reason] was the global warming potential of R-454B is much lower than our R-32, and we feel that R-454B will be the predominant refrigerant for the U.S. Midea doesn’t want to be responsible for forcing techs to carry an extra jug of another refrigerant. We think about the contractors with everything that we do, and that’s why we want to be contractor-friendly with this product as well. So that conversion has been a challenge for everybody.”
The AHR Expo will return Feb. 2-4, 2026, in Las Vegas. For more information, visit www.ahrexpo.com.
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