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Energy Advise: Ductless heat pump is a powerful idea

The Columbian
Published: January 7, 2010, 12:00am

I’m ready to invest in a new heating system to replace the old wall heaters in my home. What do you suggest?

Since your home has wall heaters, I am assuming it has no ductwork. Therefore a good solution may be the ductless heat pump. It offers the benefits of a heat pump — energy-efficient heating and air conditioning — without requiring you to install ductwork as with a traditional heat pump or forced-air furnace.

Ductless heat pumps operate with an indoor and outdoor unit connected by slim copper tubing. Environmentally friendly refrigerant cycles through the tubing from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit, which distributes warm or cool air with a quiet fan into the home.

The outdoor unit, about the size of a suitcase, sits next to the house. The indoor unit is typically hung high on a wall or from the ceiling. It takes up little space because it’s only 6- to 8-inches deep. The systems are typically controlled with a wireless remote. One indoor unit is enough to heat a house with an open floor plan that’s 1,100 square feet or smaller. Multiple units are required for larger homes.

Ductless heat pumps are more than 200 percent efficient, which means you get more than twice as much heat using the same amount of electricity as from a zonal heating system, such as baseboard, ceiling cable or wall heaters that are 100 percent efficient, said DuWayne Dunham, Clark Public Utilities energy counselor. “They require no ductwork, so they’re great for retrofits. They’re really energy efficient and you get air conditioning,” he said.

Last year, Clark Public Utilities participated in a pilot program to test the technology. So far, close to 450 units have been installed.

“Because of the high interest and the number of homes that could benefit from these systems, we’re extending the program,” Dunham said.

Under the pilot program, customers installing a qualified ductless heat pump through an approved contractor can receive a $1,500 rebate and financing on a unit, which cost an average of $5,000. Certain models also qualify for a federal tax credit throughout 2010.

Area Heating and Cooling of Vancouver has installed about 100 Mitsubishi Electric ductless heat pumps under the pilot program.

“All of our customers are happy,” said the company’s Chris Taylor. “The technology is good and catching on. They are more efficient than a standard forced air system.”

However, Taylor added that all units are not equal. One variable is the air temperature coming from the unit.

“The Mitsubishi gives you 100-degree indoor air at as low as 5 degrees outdoors,” he said. “Customers should go online and compare brands. We chose to carry Mitsubishi based on Consumer Reports, so check that out too.”

The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance estimates there are about a million homes with zonal electric resistance heating systems in the Northwest.

“These zonal systems are 1970s technology at best,” Dunham said. “The ductless heat pumps will save the region energy and offer customers a more efficient and comfortable home.”

The Energy Adviser is written by Clark Public Utilities energy counselors, who provide conservation and energy use information to utility customers. Send questions to energyadviser@clarkpud.com or to Energy Adviser, in care of Clark Public Utilities, P.O. Box 8900, Vancouver, WA. 98668. Past topics are available at www.clarkpublicutilities.com.

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