Energy Star Certified Ductless Mini Splits

 

What makes an ENERGY STAR® System?

ENERGY STAR is a widely recognized and trusted label on products that meet strict requirements set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. To qualify for ENERGY STAR, heating and cooling units must meet or exceed specific efficiency ratings. Did you know? Heating and cooling can account for nearly half of the energy used in your home, according to ENERGY STAR, so it’s important to invest in an energy efficient system.

Ductless split-system air conditioners and heat pumps can qualify under the ENERGY STAR Central Air Conditioning (CAC) and Heat Pump specifications. Ductless split-system air conditioners and heat pumps, sometimes call mini-splits, are air conditioners or heat pumps that do not use ductwork for air distribution. Mini-splits are different than regular split-systems. They are used mostly for smaller area cooling. Some of these systems are capable of connecting to 2, 3 or even 4 indoor units to act as a single system. Mini-split systems are very common in Europe and Asia but are less than 5% of the US market.

Ductless systems are made up of four components:

- The condensing unit, located outside the building.

- The indoor unit, or units, which can be wall mounted, suspended from the ceiling or mounted in the ceiling.

- Refrigerant lines, which connect the outdoor unit to the indoor unit.

- A hand-held wireless remote or wall monitor which controls the entire system.

Meet the Metrics

Heating and air-conditioning products pursuing ENERGY STAR certification are evaluated for how well they meet a handful of efficiency measurements, including their heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF), seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) and energy efficiency ratio (EER). To fully understand the weight behind the ENERGY STAR label, let’s discuss what each term means.

HSPF measures a heat pump’s efficiency during heating season and is calculated by dividing the total heating output (measured in British Thermal Units, or BTUs) by the total kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy consumed during the same period.

SEER is calculated with the same formula as HSPF but measures efficiency during cooling season. In a controlled environment, the tested heat pumps operate in a simulated cooling season with temperatures ranging from 65 to 104° F.

EER measures a heat pump’s cooling efficiency at peak outdoor conditions. The laboratory uses a simulated 95° F outdoor temperature and 50 percent humidity with an 80° F set point. BTUs are then divided by watts of energy used to find the EER.

All product testing must be performed in a lab recognized and approved by the EPA, and results must be certified and submitted by an EPA-approved certification body. With each of these measurements, the higher the rating, the better. Heat pumps can be marketed as ENERGY STAR certified — and use the logo — if they meet specific measurement requirements.

If you’re in the market for a home appliance, air conditioner or heat pump system, you’ve likely seen the words “ENERGY STAR® certified.” Run by the U.S. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the ENERGY STAR program helps consumers save money and preserve the environment by choosing energy-efficient products. Thankfully, more new products than ever meet the certification’s stringent criteria, helping Americans reduce their carbon footprint.