Ductless Heat Pumps
Ductless heat pumps, also known as “mini splits” are good retrofit options for houses without ducted heating systems, such as wall heaters, baseboard heaters or in-floor radiant heating. Ductless
systems provide heating and cooling, and do so more efficiently than any other room-size units. Ductless systems can save 25-40%, when compared to electric resistance heat. They can also be a good choice for room additions where extending or installing ductwork is not feasible. There are a wide variety of brands and models available on the market, so be sure to choose an ENERGY STAR certified unit to ensure you are purchasing a quality product.
Like standard air-source heat pumps, mini splits have two main components — an outdoor compressor/condenser and an indoor air-handling unit. Unlike traditional air source heat pumps, there are no ducts to distribute heated or cooled air. Instead, an outdoor unit connects to up to four indoor units located throughout the home. By doing away with the ducts, zones can be created throughout the home. Zoning allows users to heat or cool some areas of the home while saving energy by not heating or cooling others.
Installation is quick and easy compared with ducted systems, often taking a day or less. MEC currently pays an $800* incentive for a ductless heat pump that is retrofitted into a home with electricity as its primary heat source. Ductless heat pump installations in newly constructed homes ar not eligible for rebates. Rebates are limited to one per home, regardless of how many systems are installed.
Learn more about ductless heat pumps at the Comfort Ready Homes website.
Year-Round Comfort and Long-Term Savings— A Homeowners Guide (PDF)
Dutless Heat Pumps – At a Glance (PDF)
Ductless Heat Pump Rebate Form (PDF)
*With an increased number of self-installed ductless heat pumps, or DHPs, available on the market, MEC would like to remind members that to qualify for a rebate, the DHP must be installed by a licensed contractor. Members submitting DHP rebate requests must provide receipt(s) and/or invoice(s) for the purchase and installation of qualifying DHP systems.
