Midea Packaged Window Heat Pump Advances with First Full-Building Retrofit in NYC
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One of the HVAC industry’s most significant technical challenges is upgrading space heating systems in aging buildings. Most of the multi-family housing in cities like New York still relies on centralized steam systems that offer no individual control, are prone to maintenance issues, and often overheat.
Midea’s Packaged Window Heat Pump (PWHP) removes those barriers. It delivers full heating and cooling through a compact, all-in-one system that is installed in an existing window. The unit plugs into a standard 120V outlet, mounts over the sill, and starts delivering 100% heating output at temperatures as low as 5°F, with no backup heating strips required. By eliminating the most challenging aspects of retrofitting, the Midea PWHP offers a quick method for integrating high-performance heat pumps into buildings that were not originally designed for them.
What Sets the Midea Packaged Window Heat Pump Apart
The Midea Packaged Window Heat Pump (PWHP) is engineered for quick retrofitting and reliable year-round performance.
The Packaged Window Heat Pump (PWHP) stands out due to features, including:
- Window-based installation: Installs through existing window openings without cutting walls, adding ductwork, adding holes for screws or disturbing the building envelope, making it ideal for occupied units and historic properties.
- No electrical upgrades required: Runs on a standard 120V/15A outlet, eliminating the need for panel modifications.
- Cold-climate performance: Delivers 100% heating capacity at 5°F and operates continuously down to -22°F, without relying on backup resistance heat.
- Self-contained condensation management: Collects moisture and manages it using an integrated system to spray outdoors, with no need for external piping.
- Quiet operation: Indoor sound levels as low as 30 decibels ensure resident comfort, especially in bedrooms, senior units, or retrofits where noise is a common complaint.
Performance that Scales: Becoming New York City Housing Authority’s Solution
Launched by the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) in 2022, the Clean Heat for All Challenge sought scalable, all-electric heating and cooling solutions to replace outdated radiator systems across New York City’s public housing units. Since buildings are the state’s largest carbon emissions source, according to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Midea’s PWHP emerged as the ideal solution.
In late 2025, NYCHA completed a major milestone in its Clean Heat for All Challenge: the first full-building retrofit using Midea’s Packaged Window Heat Pumps. The 150 units installed to complete the building transition at the Woodside Houses in Queens, transformed an aging steam-heated property into a fully electrified, cold-climate-ready building without the need for panel upgrades, ductwork, or tenant displacement.
This marked a turning point. What began as a 36-unit pilot in 2023 – with results showing a reduction in energy use of up to 87 percent – is now a full-building success story. More public-private partnerships may be on the horizon after the Woodside Houses project demonstrated that all-electric retrofits are practical at scale.
Next, NYCHA will begin installing 300 units at Bay View Houses in 2026, with Midea ultimately contracted to deliver 20,000 PWHP units.
Engineered for Real Jobsites
Midea developed the PWHP to address one of the HVAC industry’s most pressing challenges: updating space heating in buildings that were never designed for modern HVAC systems. This aligns with the engineers’ primary goal at the Midea America Research Center (MARC) in Louisville, KY: design equipment that addresses real-world installation barriers without compromising performance or comfort. By offering a cold-climate, all-electric solution that contractors can install quickly and that housing authorities can manage affordably, Midea PWHP does just that.
Where to Learn More
To explore technical specifications, installation resources, or regional rebate eligibility for the Midea Packaged Window Heat Pump, visit mideacomfort.us or email infohvac.na@midea.com.
