Mini split heat pump heaters are the ideal solution for homes where ducting is not possible. You may not be able to install ducting due to the high cost or it may not be feasible to do so due to architectural constraints. They also make good add ons to houses which already have a ductless heating system in place such as radiant panels, hydronic systems, space heaters powered by wood, propane or kerosene.

A mini split heat pump kit is just like any other air source heat pump. It has an out door compressor and an indoor unit that is responsible for air handling. The outside and inside units are linked through a conduit. This section houses the assembly of the system like the power cable, the suction tubing, the condensate drain and the refrigerant tubing

Ductless mini heat pumps offer the advantages of room air conditioners and a central air conditioning system rolled into one unit. Ductless mini heat pumps use air handler which are mounted through out the house. The refrigerant is supplied to the individual coils in these air handlers instead of the single unit of refrigerant coil and air handler in traditional central duct work air conditioners.



One of the primary advantages is the fact that the refrigerant lines need less space as compared to traditional ducting and they are considerably easier to install.

There are many newer models available in the market that provide both heating and cooling however mini split heat pumps are predominantly used for cooling. The single indoor unit comprising of a refrigerant coil and air handler along with a single out door unit comprising of a compressor and condenser are adequate to cool an entire house.
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The working of the unit is fairly simple air cooled through the evaporator coil is distributed through out the house through the duct-work. Even if there are multiple indoor units there will usually only be one outdoor unit. The refrigerant is passed to the individual indoor units through insulated refrigerant lines. Each indoor unit also has a fan which is used to blow the cooled air into the room.

The biggest advantage of installing mini split heat pumps is energy efficiency. Particularly if the area is well insulated as many as 4 indoor units can be served by one outdoor unit. Each zone served by a single indoor unit has its own thermostat so you can only use air conditioning in that zone when somebody is present or it can be switched off. This helps to conserve energy and save money.

Some of the popular companies that manufacture mini split heat pumps are Fujitsu and Sanyo. The cooling capacity starts at 12000 BTU. However the cost of these units is pretty steep at $1500 to $2000

While choosing a mini split heat pump you need to consider many factor one of them being the BTU. Since the cost of these units is very steep at 30% more than a conventional window air conditioner, budget is usually the primary constraint.

Also, you need to check if the indoor units suit the decor of your house since they don’t have the look of a central system. You will need to make sure that there is place to drain the condensate water from the outside unit.

Apart from the cost of the machinery you will need to pay for installation charges and it may not be easy to find qualified technicians to help you out.

Despite some disadvantages, mini split heat pumps are one of the best cooling solutions available in the market with high energy efficiency and greater flexibility

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In addition to fans and window units, Soleus Air also offers a unique line of portable ACs that also include heat pump heaters. These portable units can be easily moved from one room to the next and also serve as a dehumidifier.

However, although these Soleus Air AC/heat pump units show some real promise, they also receive mixed and sometimes very negative reviews from consumers, which is addressed below.

Technical Details
Soleus Air does offer a window unit air conditioner that includes a heat pump. At a little less than $400, this window unit is significantly less expensive than top-of-the-line models by Friedrich and Haier.

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The portable units come in several different models: there is a small evaporative portable AC/heat pump model (PH3-10R-03 10,000 BTU), several larger evaporative models, models that include a dehumidifying component, and finally HEPA models. The smallest model is a 8,000 BTU; the largest is a 13,000 BTU. With multiple fan speeds, sleep mode, and programmable timers, these portable units have several advantages.


Installation and Maintenance
All the portable AC/heat pump models are easy to install; like a window unit, you simply plug them in and turn them on to get started.

As for maintenance, these units include a drain tube and pan designed to catch excess water and moisture. The pan needs to be emptied on a regular basis, and the drain tube must be kept clean to prevent clogging and inefficiency.

Pros and Cons
As mentioned previously, consumers have very mixed feelings as to the value of the product. While many owners say they are happy with their purchase and the portability of the unit makes it especially convenient, there is one complaint repeated again and again: these products leak.

Although the Soleus Air portable AC/heat pumps are supposed to shut off automatically when the water reservoir fills up, it appears that this function often does not work. Many angry consumers claim that the unit ruined their rugs, carpets, or hardwood floors, and several were so disgusted with their experience that they returned the unit rater than get another one.

All in all, the idea of a portable AC/heat pump that also functions to dehumidify is a great one. However, if you decide to purchase this unit, don’t use it while you’re not home or while you’re asleep, unless you want to hop out of bed and into a big puddle of water. Instead, make the investment into an extra window unit with a better track record than the Soleus Air portable AC/heat pump.

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Haier makes several HVAC products, including window units that provide both air conditioning and heat pumps. The dual function of these Haier window units gives them a good value for their relatively low price.

Technical Details
There are several models available of Haier heat / AC units. There is the aforementioned window unit, but Haier also creates several wall mount units, as well, including a ductless split indoor wall mount air conditioner, and a ductless split indoor wall mount heat pump.

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As for the specifications on the window unit, this model has a six-foot power cord, three fan speeds for cooling, and two fan speeds for heating. It provides four directions of air flow, and measures in at 17” high, 27” wide, and 33” deep. The window you use with the unit must open at least 18.75” high. The window also comes with a permanent mesh washable filter and two side-curtains. Its EnviroClean Coil helps to filter the air while simultaneously improving its energy efficiency.

Installation and Maintenance
The various Haier AC/heaters are fairly easy to install. In the case of the window unit mentioned above, you simply plug it into a regular outlet and turn it on. Size your unit correctly; if you get a unit that’s too big, it will actually decrease its efficiency. Like any other window unit, you’ll want to clean the condenser coils on a periodic basis to keep it running smoothly.

The ductless split wall mount unit, on the other hand, is a little more complicated to install and maintain. It requires both the indoor and outdoor ductless units, and for a new installation you’ll also need a refrigerant line set.

Pros and Cons of These Products
Not all window AC units also provide heat, so from that point of view the Haier AC/heater window unit is a real boon, especially if you live in a place with insufficient wintertime heat.

There are not many customer reviews available for these products; however, one reviewer claimed that the heating component did not work for him and actually froze. Even after he got a second unit, says this unhappy customer, the heater still did not work. This review is worth bearing in mind as you consider which product to purchase for your own home.

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Friedrich makes several AC/heater units, including the WE10, WS14, and the WE16, which are wall mount units. However, they also provide an electric AC/heat window unit, the EQ08. Here’s a closer look at these Friedrich products.

Technical Details
The window unit, which starts at around $700, is the least expensive of the Friedrich AC/heaters. This window unit provides only two cooling fan speeds and two heating fan speeds, but it offers air flow in eight directions. At 14” high, 19.75” wide, and a little over 21” deep, it is a fairly small window unit, requiring only 15” of open window space to fit.

It weighs 81 lbs., which, while it might seem heavy, is less than half the weight of a similar Haier window AC/heat unit. This unit also comes with an antimicrobial filter, which protects against fungal growth and bacteria.

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There is also a heavier-duty window unit by Friedrich, the 12100 BTU Window Air Conditioner with Heat Pump, which is one of Amazon.com’s top 100 products in the “Air Conditioners & Accessories” category. At $1400, however, it is nearly twice the cost of the smaller EQ08.

The wall units Friedrich offers have similar features to the window unit but are generally more efficient and can heat or cool a larger space. The wall units utilize vibration and noise isolating technology to reduce the amount of noise coming from the machine.

Installation and Maintenance
Window AC/heat units are simple to install; simply fit them into an open window, plug them in, and turn them on. Wall units are more difficult to install, and in some cases may require the installation of additional refrigerant lines.

As with all window units, you should occasionally remove the front cover and clean the coils with a vacuum. In some cases, coils can be removed and hosed off, as long as you don’t get the electronic components wet. Regularly maintaining your window AC/heat unit in this manner will increase the lifespan and the efficiency of the unit.

Pros and Cons
Friedrich Air Conditioning has been around since 1883, and they are one of the top home HVAC companies around. Although the window AC/heat units offered by Friedrich are a little pricier than similar window units from other companies, the price reflects a higher standard of quality. In fact, their Kuhl wall units recently won a Dealer Design Award, a prestigious award voted on by contractors.

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Considering that wall mount AC units come for as little as $350, and window AC units can be as cheap as $100, one might wonder why some people pay $800, $900, $1000, or more for a wall mount or window AC unit.

The first reason is usually size; the second reason is often the added benefit of heat. Small, cheap window units or wall mount units are good for cooling a small bedroom, and they usually don’t come with a heat pump. Better quality units, such as the GE Zoneline series, can heat or cool a much larger area.

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Technical Details
The GE Zoneline series of AC / heat units provide year-round comfort by providing both hot and cold air. The Zoneline series is built for commercial use, and you’ve probably seen one before in a hotel or motel room, but it could also be used in your own living room. GE touts them as the most energy-efficient AC / heat unit on the market today.


The Zoneline includes the following features:

• Freeze Sentinel: If the room temperature drops below 41 degrees, the heat automatically kicks on, even if the room is unoccupied.
• Heat Sentinel: Similarly, the air conditioning will kick on if the temperature hits 85 degrees.
• Better thermostat control: These units have superior thermostats compared to similar units.
• Touch-pad control: User has easier control of the temperature thanks to the touch pad.

Installation and Maintenance
Because this is a product built for commercial applications and is a through-the-wall unit, you will probably want to have it installed professionally rather than trying to do it yourself. It is designed to be easy to maintain, however, with slide-in filters located in the front of the unit that can be easily removed and cleaned.

Available Models
The GE Zoneline comes in the following models:

• Cooling and resistance heat: Deluxe 4100 Series and Deluxe Dry Air 25 Series
• Cooling and heat pump: Deluxe 6100 Series and Deluxe 6100 ICR
• Vertical PTAC/PTHP: 8500 Series Heat Pump and 8500 Series Resistance Heat

Pros and Cons
Without a doubt, the Zoneline wall mount AC / heat units are superior air conditioning and heating appliances. The question is, however, if you need a superior unit, or an adequate unit. Because it’s built for commercial applications, it’s tough, efficient, and powerful, but it’s also expensive. Check with an expert first to see if a Zoneline is what you really need for your home before making the significant investment to purchase one.

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