Ductless Heating & Cooling | Mini Split Systems – Energy Star

The Advantages of ENERGY STAR Certified Ductless Heat Pumps

Used for decades in Europe and Asia, ductless mini-split heat pumps differ from traditional home heating and cooling systems by:

Figure 1. Ductless Mini Split Heat Pump

Ductless mini split heat pump models that have earned the ENERGY STAR are identified in the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) online database. (Check the Yes box in Labeled ENERGY STAR search criteria to see a list.)

Common Applications of Ductless Heat Pumps

Ductless mini split heat pumps are increasingly being used in these situations:

Further Developments Cold Climate Heating, Alternative Indoor Units

In the past, people worried whether heat pumps were good at providing heat in cold climates. As temperatures drop, the heat pump must work harder and harder to extract heat from the outdoor air. Some heat pumps now utilize advanced compressors and refrigerants that allow for improved low temperature performance. If this is a concern, look for ENERGY STAR models with a Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) of over 12.0 BTU/Wh4 or examine a list of ductless mini-split heat pumps designed to work in colder climates developed by the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnership (NEEP).

Another concern may be the aesthetics of the relatively large indoor floor or wall mounted units. U.S. consumers, accustomed to having heating and cooling delivered from barely noticeable vents in walls and ceilings, can sometimes find the look of the indoor wall or floor mounted units unappealing. Ductless system manufacturers offer ceiling-recessed and short-run horizontal, duct-based air handlers, to provide a look some U.S. homeowner are more comfortable with.

Utility Incentives Available

ENERGY STAR certified ductless heating and cooling systems are eligible for rebates from some local utilities -- up to $1,000 per unit depending on what system is being replaced. A list of available rebates can be found here.

1In the summer, a heat pump uses a refrigeration cycle to move heat from your home to the outside just like an air conditioner. In the winter, with the refrigeration cycle run in reverse, a heat pump moves heat from the outside into your home.

2 Indoor unit is an air handler circulating room air across refrigerant coils.

3 Outdoor unit is a compressor responsible for keeping coils hot or cold.

4 Efficiency Maine, having installed over 10,000 ductless mini-split heat pumps to provide heat during harsh winters, requires single head units with a Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) of over 12.0 BTU/Wh and found them to work extremely well

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Ductless Heating & Cooling | Mini Split Systems - Energy Star