MRCOOL's plug-in heat pump eliminates outdoor unit
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- MRCOOL launched the Monoblock MTHP, an all-in-one heat pump that plugs into a 115V outlet and contains the full refrigeration system inside a single wall-mounted unit, eliminating outdoor condenser and refrigerant lines.
- The Monoblock still requires two holes cut through an exterior wall for intake/exhaust plus a condensate drain hole, weighs ~93 pounds, and measures 39" wide × 23" tall × 8" deep — meaning 'plug-and-play' doesn't mean floor-placement.
- MRCOOL rates output at 10,000 BTU/h cooling and 9,000 BTU/h heating, with 15 SEER2 / 7.5 HSPF2 efficiency and an operating range of 5°F to 113°F — sufficient for a single room but not a cold-climate whole-house replacement.
- Director of sales Christian Rea said the design cuts installation time by 60% versus central systems since the refrigerant circuit ships sealed and no HVAC tech is needed to charge it, though local building and electrical codes still apply.
- The unit runs on R-32 refrigerant (lower global-warming potential than R-410A) and adds WiFi via the MRCOOL Connect app, Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility, a self-evaporative condensate system with overflow shutoff, and noise of 32–46 dBA.
- Preorders are live through authorized retailers at $1,370–$1,550, with at least one retailer listing an August 31 release date.
Why it matters: By packaging the whole refrigeration loop indoors and running it on a 115V plug, MRCOOL removes the two biggest cost and permission barriers to adding a heat pump — the outdoor condenser and the 240V circuit — letting renters, ADU owners, and garage/workshop dwellers install zoned climate control without an HVAC tech or panel upgrade. The catch: $1,370–$1,550 for a single-room 10,000 BTU unit means it's a supplement to, not a replacement for, whole-home heating.
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