air conditioning accounts for 3% of global emissions

that's a decent slice to chop down, if mainstream A/C models became 2x more efficient and standardly equipped with energy storage from the grid.

which is exactly what daniel betts was leading in blue frontier, an hvac startup. betts built the model with the national renewable energy laboratory, earned investment from bill gate's breakthrough energy ventures, and signed the U.S. GSA and DoD as first clients.

the machine, a DOAS-RTU, simultaneously dehumidified and cooled air, and came built-in heat-pump-supported.

it was the deepest reengineering of an air-conditioner since William Carrier himself. and the kind of remodel that could curb rising emissions from cooling, driven by higher demand, driven by warmer temperatures, negatively reinforcing.

after series A and B raises, Betts inked deals with the biggest partners he could find, with the hottest and most humid spaces to cool. waffle houses, army barracks and notable theme parks in florida were perfect targets.

disruption is a battle. carrier, daikin, trane, lennox, and ge compete relentlessly - and bottom line on price - AC market share in a quiet $90 billion industry.

securing early deployments, winning where decisions aren’t made purely on upfront cost, and letting savings compound, were keys to the fight.

blue frontier is based in boca raton, florida, right near carrier global.