Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioner with Heat Pump.

Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioner with Heat Pump - ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES: REVERSE CYCLE CHILLERS.

One of the more notable innovations in air-source heat pumps is called a reverse cycle chiller (RCC). It offers the advantages of allowing the homeowner to choose from a wide variety of heating and cooling distribution systems, from radiant floor systems to forced air systems with multiple zones. It also offers the potential for lower winter electric bills and hotter air out of the supply vents for greater comfort.

 

An RCC is especially economical for all-electric homes or in areas where natural gas is not available. Depending on other fuel rates, it may even be the least expensive heating option among the remaining heating fuel choices.

Mitsubishi Mini Split. Standard 12 SEER, Single Speed.

The system consists of a standard 12 SEER, single speed, air-source heat pump, sized to the heating load rather than the usual smaller summer cooling load. The heat pump is connected to a large, heavily insulated tank of water that the heat pump heats or cools, depending on the season of the year. Most systems will use a fan coil with ducts, using the stored water to heat or cool the air and distribute it to the house.

 

The RCC system allows the heat pump to operate at peak efficiency even at low temperatures. This provides greater comfort and economy without the need for electric resistance auxiliary heating coils.

 

The RCC can also be equipped with a refrigeration heat reclaimer, which is similar to the common desuperheater coil found on the high-end heat pumps and air conditioners. The combined system costs about 25% more than a standard heat pump of similar size, and the simple payback on the additional cost in areas where natural gas is not available is about 2 to 3 years.

Mitsubishi Air Conditioning Ductless. COLD CLIMATE HEAT PUMP.

One company has developed the cold climate heat pump, which features a two-speed, two-cylinder compressor for efficient operation, a back-up booster compressor that allows the system to operate efficiently down to 15°F, and a plate heat exchanger called an "economizer" that further extends the performance of the heat pump to well below 0°F. The system has been tested favorably by several utilities and may soon be available to consumers.

Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioner Reviews. ALL-CLIMATE HEAT PUMP.

Another promising technology is an All Climate Heat Pump, which the manufacturer says can operate in the coldest days of winter without supplemental heat, maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures even when the temperature outdoors falls below zero. The heat pump could reduce heating and cooling costs 25% to 60%.

 

While the design of most heat pumps puts the focus on cooling, the All Climate Heat Pump was designed with heating as the primary focus. Initial costs for the All Climate Heat Pump are high, but if it continues to work as well as predicted, the energy savings over the life of the system would more than compensate for the up-front cost.