Aaon, a US-based HVAC solutions company, has made significant enhancements to its Alpha Class commercial air-source heat pump range.
These developments introduce three performance tiers designed to meet demanding operational needs, including those critical to cleanrooms and other controlled environments.
Headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Aaon specialises in delivering HVAC technologies tailored for sensitive environments such as cleanrooms, laboratories and precision manufacturing facilities, where strict temperature and humidity control is essential.
The Alpha Class range, first launched in October 2023, now includes the ECO, PRO, and EXTREME Series.
These developments introduce three performance tiers designed to meet demanding operational needs
The new EXTREME Series sets a new industry standard, delivering reliable heating performance down to minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit while maintaining full capacity at five degrees—unprecedented for commercial rooftop heat pumps.
Such ultra-low ambient performance is particularly valuable for cleanroom facilities in colder climates, where maintaining stable environmental conditions year-round is critical to contamination control and process integrity.
The Alpha Class EXTREME Series’ ability to sustain capacity in extreme temperatures supports continuous operation without compromising cleanroom standards or energy efficiency.
Matt Tobolski, Aaon’s President and COO, said: “Alpha Class EXTREME Series represents the most innovative commercial rooftop unit ever created. By collaborating with technology leaders like Copeland, we’ve achieved breakthroughs in heat pump performance that advance energy efficiency and sustainability — key priorities in the cleanroom and critical environment sectors.”
Such ultra-low ambient performance is particularly valuable for cleanroom facilities in colder climateS
Central to this achievement is the integration of Copeland’s refrigerant injection technology, which enhances compressor performance and reliability in extreme conditions.
Aaon engineers developed an intelligent refrigeration system that dynamically switches between operating modes, optimising efficiency across a wide temperature range while maintaining compact unit size, ideal for space-conscious cleanroom facilities.
The PRO Series employs variable-speed compressors for operation down to zero degrees Fahrenheit, supporting environments with moderate cold climate needs.
The ECO Series offers traditional heat pump options with two-step or digital compressors, delivering a cost-effective solution without sacrificing performance.
The PRO Series employs variable-speed compressors for operation down to zero degrees Fahrenheit
This product evolution aligns with Aaon’s commitment to decarbonisation and electrification, supporting initiatives like the US Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Commercial Building Heat Pump Accelerator.
Aaon’s longstanding partnership with Copeland, spanning over 30 years, has been integral to advancing HVAC technologies that meet the precise demands of cleanrooms and other sensitive environments.
Mark Bills, Vice President and General Manager of Commercial HVAC at Copeland, commented: “Our collaboration with Aaon is grounded in a shared commitment to innovation. Together, we are pioneering solutions that set new performance standards while supporting sustainability goals critical to cleanroom operations.”
By enhancing the Alpha Class heat pump line, Aaon continues to push the boundaries of commercial HVAC technology, delivering solutions designed to maintain stringent environmental control, energy efficiency, and operational reliability in cleanrooms and beyond.
Top image: The Alpha Class EXTREME Series