Smart Sensors: Panasonic’s ECONAVI technology uses infrared sensors that detect fluctuations in occupancy and activity in a given space, providing efficient automatic heating and cooling according to room conditions and occupancy levels.
In America, channelless heating, the only prescription is more installation. In fact, according to MarketsandMarkets, the global market for ductless heating and cooling systems is currently valued at $78.62 billion, with a CAGR of over 8% through 2021. And this growth is not limited to one area, as homeowners and builders are recognizing the many benefits that ductless systems can offer.
Brian O’Connor, Senior Director of Sales at Samsung HVAC Central Region, said the ductless market is growing at a double-digit rate, including multi-split.
“The reason for this is that the 2003-2006 real estate boom has now reached a single system life expectancy of 12 to 15 years,” he explained. “The replacement segment accounts for approximately 80% of all home sales. There is an urgent need to replace traditional single systems with ductless systems for greater efficiency, smart homes and independent zoning.”
Simplified Installation: The Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US (METUS) MLZ Single Sided Ceiling Box is a compact box option that fits standard 16″ ceiling beams. This eliminates the need for additional frames as retrofits or special planning for new construction.
Michelle Robb, director of marketing for Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US (METUS), noted that she is seeing strong growth in both the refurbishment and new build markets. Retrofitting has historically been a strong market for systems without split ducting, as installing ducting in a home where one does not already exist is often an inefficient use of time and resources.
“In older homes, it can be difficult to find space even to install plumbing,” says Rob. “Often homeowners lose interior storage space or end up running into a wall. The simplified installation and zoning features offered by split systems are perfect for renovations and extensions of the entire home. Especially in the case of additions, split systems can also be used to complement existing heating and cooling systems without the need to adjust or retrofit existing systems that work well.”
She added that when it comes to new construction, builders, developers and homebuyers benefit from installing ductless HVAC systems with separate ducts.
“Most ductless outdoor units take up less space and are quieter than traditional systems,” says Robb. “This is attractive to multi-family homes and small developers. In addition, today’s homebuyers are increasingly environmentally conscious and appreciate the greater energy efficiency of ductless split systems.”
Gerald Adams, director of commercial product management at Friedrich Air Conditioning, agrees that both markets are growing rapidly and retrofits remain the most common application for ductless systems.
“This is because, despite the trend of consumers adopting ductless systems, whether installed or not, ductless systems solve a major problem in older homes that have certain rooms that ductwork cannot reach. , or which they are looking for. to supplement what may already exist to effectively cool or heat certain areas that are most frequently used.
According to Bill Holder, senior sales manager for LG Air Conditioning Technologies in the Western US, while the upgrades initially spurred adoption, demand for new construction is growing rapidly due to industry trends.
“Ductless systems offer more design flexibility than traditional single systems, making them an obvious choice in many applications because they do not require duct space, they allow zone control, and they are often in an excellent range of performance and temperatures in terms of sound, he said. “Example: Units with LGRED° heating technology provide heating down to -13°F. This means homeowners get a system that will reliably keep them warm in the winter and eliminate the need for an additional heat source, which means savings for homeowners.”
In recent years, inverter compressors have become more energy efficient, in part making air source heat pumps more suitable for colder climates, said Victor Flynn, senior product manager at Panasonic America.
“Now we are seeing ductless heat pumps being selected and installed as the primary source of heat in the northern climates of Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire and Washington,” he said.
In addition, Flynn added, there is a trend in cities and states to develop “decarbonization strategies” that reduce their carbon footprint by encouraging residents to switch from oil and propane to energy-efficient electric air source heat pumps.
“Especially the northern states, which use oil and propane for heating during long winters, are looking to switch from a carbon-based heat source to an electric heat pump source so they can use renewable electricity to heat their homes.”
In northern climates, rebates contribute to significant ductless growth, Flynn says. More educated home builders are an additional driver.
“They recognize that existing old ducts have problems with air leakage and get dirty over time,” he said. “There’s also the ductwork that takes up space in the house, as well as insulation materials and labor.”
Tom Carney, Director of Sales, Fujitsu General America Inc. Halcyon Products, said he is seeing homeowners in cooler climates opting for mini-splits as more manufacturers offer systems that can operate in temperatures as low as -15°C.
“The use of multi-zone systems has increased as homeowners are discovering that they can get efficient year-round comfort with a single system,” noted Carney. “The main reason for the growth in the market is customer awareness. We are seeing more and more customers requesting mini-splits instead of being recommended by contractors.”
While homeowners are using ductless systems as an effective cooling solution, their heating capabilities have not received as much attention, Adams explains. However, this is rapidly changing as ductless manufacturers implement all-season solutions that increase efficiency and ensure optimal performance.
“For example, earlier this year, Friedrich launched its new Energy Star® 9,000 and 12,000 BTU models, capable of delivering 28.0 SEER/12.5 HSPF when running a heat pump in minus 13° ambient,” he said.
Adams added that the growing availability of ductless system options, such as comfort per room, that can be customized to the specific needs of the space, is driving demand from residential spaces.
“Many municipalities and energy companies, especially in the northwest and along the upper east coast, are offering generous discounts on these energy efficient products, making them more affordable than ever for customers to be attractive and affordable,” he said.
As the market for channelless solutions in the US continues to grow, Holder points to one of the strongest trends – the transition from single-zone to multi-zone systems.
“With the ability to mix indoor unit types without ducting or ducting, contractors can air-condition an entire home with a single outdoor unit,” he says. “Advances in technology have allowed homeowners to go beyond white wall lights. From options like the LG Art Cool Gallery that looks just like the picture, to the elegant Art Cool mirror, to the ability to integrate plumbing, customers can get the most out of superior system with inverter technology that suits their style.”
Maintains temperature: Samsung’s advanced Wind-Free™ cooling technology provides end users with a cool indoor climate and optimal energy efficiency without the discomfort of direct cold drafts. Draft-free models can be set to two-stage operation, cooling the room with the shutters open until the room temperature approaches the set temperature.
“In fact, the ductless category is being redefined as a multi-zone comfort solution,” she said. “There are many ductless and ducted products that are mounted as cassettes on the ceiling or hidden above the ceiling. Nowadays, there are various designs of wall units that are smoother, more colorful, can be installed high under the ceiling or can be installed low, close to the floor .”
Another trend noted by Holder—and not unique to ductless systems—is connectivity and HVAC systems running on smart home platforms.
“For this reason, almost all of our indoor units are Wi-Fi enabled, including ducted and non-ducted models, and can be controlled through the LG SmartThinQ® app, which is integrated with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant,” he says.
Rob noted that by increasingly adopting smart controls, manufacturers such as METUS can appeal to tech-savvy homeowners.
“Many of today’s home buyers for the first time have never lived in a world without the Internet and access to information or control at the touch of a button,” she explains. “They want smart control in their homes. Homeowners want to be able to personalize their homes down to the smallest detail, including home comforts. For example, METUS’ kumo cloud® app and web service integrates with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. The integration allows homeowners to adjust the thermostat without lifting a finger.”
While the ducting market has seen great success in the US in recent years, it is not without its challenges.
According to Carney, consumers’ general awareness of products and the misrepresentation of their features and product offerings are the biggest concerns.
“Fujitsu General America places a strong emphasis on contractor education as well as consumer and contractor publicity in the form of educational messages and social media posts,” he said.
Two of the biggest challenges are wider industry adoption and making it easier for contractors to sell and maintain channelless systems on a regular basis, Adams said.
“Because this is a relatively new category of growth in the US, not all contractors are familiar with ductless systems or have included them in their business plans,” he said. “A big reason for this is that maintaining a single ductless unit can seem like a daunting task at first compared to a single central air conditioning system. That’s why Friedrich introduced FastPro to simplify the process and help contractors and installers feel confident, offering ductless installation and ongoing maintenance. maintenance plan.
Holder agreed, saying that the challenge for the duct market remains the acceptance and training of contractors.
“LG offers a range of free resources that make it easier for contractors to successfully install and maintain LG systems, including how-to videos, online courses, and courses at four LG training academies and 27 partner centers,” he said. “In addition to existing educational opportunities, LG has often expanded its training program based on contractor feedback by introducing new courses on Multi VS, LG’s single-phase heat recovery system. LG also donates equipment and partners with Tarrant County Community College, among others. technical schools partnering with them to develop a curriculum to educate students about ductless systems so that the next generation of contractors can use the technology.”
O’Connor also said keeping contractors up to date on all the small split systems available is still difficult.
“To address this issue, Samsung is providing local training at the distributor and dealer level,” O’Connor said.
“There is a shortage of trained staff, and as more consumers realize the benefits of ductless split systems and choose to use them in their homes, it is becoming increasingly difficult for HVAC contractors to keep up with demand,” she said.
One way METUS is addressing consumer skepticism and the shortage of qualified HVAC professionals is by providing training opportunities for HVAC contractors, who in turn can train their customers,” Robb said. confidence in a system that is installed and maintained, this confidence often has an impact on consumers who believe they will receive a system that meets their needs. ”
One of the challenges facing air-cooled heat pump manufacturers in North America is what the next generation of refrigerants will be, Flynn said.
“R-410A hydrofluorocarbon is currently being used in North America,” he said. “Europe has moved away from HFCs and is now using R-32. In North America, we have not switched to R-32. One reason is that it is a flammable gas and we have not checked the regulations for non-flammable gases. flammable gases used in air source heat pumps, although UL and other agencies address this issue.
“For example, in a closed system, if you buy a window air conditioner and install it and then remove it, the installer will never measure the gas going in and out of it,” he added.
Air source heat pumps can be single zone or multi zone. They consist of an external condenser and an internal evaporator that require a certified technician to clean the lines – possibly adding or removing some gas – hence the name “open system”.
“When you have an open system device, there are concerns about flammability and what kind of spark can start gas and things like that,” Flynn said. “So there are some questions about what the next generation of refrigerants will be like.
“R-32 is a useful gas with a lower global warming potential than R-410A, but again, it is highly flammable,” he continued. “So refrigerant is definitely one of our challenges for the next generation of air source heat pumps.”