Bruce Manclark, Fluid Market Strategies: Hello, I’m Bruce Manclark.
I work for Fluid Market Strategies.
I’m lucky enough to work on the Northwest Ductless Heat Pump Team.
Today, we’re here looking at an install unit of a ductless heat pump on a manufactured
home.
We’re going to look at some of the installation details and help explain why the rules we
have for the program are what they are.
The key to getting a good unit install is to start with a good, stable foundation.
As you can see here, we have a good pad.
It’s connected well with the ground.
We have these risers and then the entire unit is bolted through the riser, into the pad.
This allows for adjustability and a good, stable operating system.
This space is very important.
Without this space we could not clean any debris that might block the unit from underneath.
In snow, the riser might be a little higher.
Additionally, in the wintertime ductless heat pumps, like all heat pumps, go into defrost
and that produces water.
This height allows that water to drain away from the unit.
The fact that this ductless heat pump has such a good foundation makes it easy to get
the system level.
And I can guarantee that if we put a level right here that that bubble would be right
in the middle.
It’s important to have the system level for proper operation, quiet operation and
to operate as efficiently as possible.
An important detail of any installation is to seal around holes that we made in the building
or the foundation itself.
Here we can see that the contract did an excellent job of sealing the wiring penetration through
the skirting of this manufactured house.
At the end of this lineset we can see that the contractor had to saw this off.
It’s an important detail to make sure that any holes that we have open get sealed up.
Another important installation detail is covering the lineset with not only insulation which
is underneath this tape, but this tape itself is a UV-inhibited tape.
What this does, it keeps the sun from breaking down the insulation over time and degrading
the performance of the unit.
All qualifying ductless heat pumps use an R410A refrigerant.
Because of that we have to use a specialized flared fitting that can handle that higher
pressure without leaking.
This material right here is called a line hide.
And as the name suggests its job is to hide the lines.
The lines that are underneath here are electrical, the refrigerant line set and also the condensate
from the ductless heat pump inside the house.
Line hide is a bit like Legos.
There’s a specialized piece for every purpose.
And this piece right here, what it does it seals the hole that was made in the house
to get the line set and electrical in the house, it turns the ninety and then joins
this channel going down the house.
Again, the job is to not only protect the unit but to add to its aesthetic appeal.
This half-inch PVC is the exit line for the condensate.
It’s important that the condensate line drains freely.
This is the interior part of the ductless heat pump, often called the interior head.
Its job is to distribute warm air in the winter and cool air in the summer.
It has a powerful, but very quiet and efficient fan to help it do that.
The fan itself is adjustable so you can adjust it to your own comfort needs.
Many of these models actually the blades here go up and down, and some cases also back and
forth.
The location of his unit within the manufactured house is very important.
Locating it in the main body brings the majority of the house into play for it.
Equally important is to make sure that it’s not blowing directly on the thermostat that
controls the electric furnace.
In this particular case, the thermostat is safely away from direct currents coming out
of the interior head.
Like all heating and cooling equipment that move air, ductless heat pumps have filters
and those filters need regular maintenance.
These ductless heat pump filters are lifetime filters and they are easy to clean.
All you have to do is come up and, if you will, lift the hood on the unit.
This particular unit has two filters so make sure that when you’re cleaning them you
clean both of them.
All you have to do to remove it is lift it up slightly and then pull it down.
These can go directly in the kitchen sink.
Wash them up; make sure you get all the dirt out and then take maybe a paper towel to it
or a quick handshake or two — let it dry out before you place it back into the unit.
It’s easy to slide them back in.
All you do is reverse the process.
Make sure it’s a tight fit and then close the hood until you hear that snap.
Ductless heat pump technology is a good match for manufactured homes.
Manufactured homes have gotten more efficient over the years and so have ductless heat pumps.
The big difference with manufactured homes and ductless heat pumps is that they work
in conjunction with your electrical furnace to heat the house.
In order to get the maximum benefit from your ductless heat pump, the operator has to set
the temperature in the heating mode three to five degrees warmer than temperature on
the thermostat that controls the electric furnace for the house.
Homeowners like John, who have had their ductless heat pumps installed through utility programs,
love them.
The installation process is quick and easy, typically only taking a morning or an afternoon.
They find them very easy to use, whisper quiet and they require almost no maintenance or
upkeep.
Most importantly, they use energy so efficiently they dramatically reduce homeowner’s electricity
bills.
If you’re considering installing a ductless heat pump, it’s important that you contact
your local utility first.
Many utilities offer rebates and incentives for customers installing ductless heat pump
systems.
The utility can also assist you in finding the right contractor that can fit the ductless
heat pump to your needs.
It’s important that the contract you choose consider your occupancy pattern, your individual
usage and your local climate to help determine both the size of the ductless heat pump and
its location in your house.
[On-Screen Text: To learn more about ductless heat pumps, contact your local utility or
visit goingductless.com]