Ductless Heat Pump pilot program

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BPA Energy Efficiency will continue to support ductless heat pumps in residential applications during fiscal year 2010. BPA's involvement with the collection of pilot data for the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) Ductless Heat Pump Single Family Evaluation pilot program is on track to deliver significant installations in order conduct a pilot program evaluation scheduled to be completed early in 2011. Ductless heat pumps are provisionally deemed measures by the Regional Technical Forum (RTF) until data and evaluation from NEEA's pilot has been completed and evaluated by the RTF.

BPA will continue to support NEEA's DHP pilot, utilities and the ductless heat pump market by providing program support and reimbursements for ductless heat pumps in single family manufactured homes and multifamily homes with zonal electric heat. BPA defines multifamily homes as five or more units in one building that is three stories or less.

New study available on Ductless Heat Pump savings potential

In 2007 BPA, at the request of the regional Technical Forum (RTF) developed an initial pilot study to provide basic information on the energy savings potential of the ductless heat pump technologies introduced in 2006. The primary goals of the study were:

• Provide an early verification of RTF energy savings assumptions.
• Gain experience for a larger review of ductless heat pump retrofit in zonal electric resistance heated homes.
• Review data collection procedures and refine the instrumentation protocol for the initial region wide pilot project currently underway.

This study was completed in June 2009 and is now available.

• Download the study: Residential Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pump Retrofit Monitoring (390k PDF)

What is a Ductless Heat Pump?

A ductless heat pump is a highly efficient heating and cooling system. It is easily installed as a new primary heat source for electrically heated homes. Ductless heat pumps are much safer, quieter and heat rooms evenly. Ductless systems heat and cool homes at a fraction of the cost of baseboards and wall heaters and do not require expensive and invasive ductwork. They require only a three-inch opening in the wall or ceiling. Installation is as simple as mounting the indoor and outdoor units, connecting the refrigerant lines, and making a few electrical connections.


For more information, please contact your Energy Efficiency Representative.