MRCOOL's Plug-In Heat Pump Needs No Outdoor Unit
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- MRCOOL launched the Monoblock MTHP, an all-in-one heat pump that runs off a standard 115V outlet and combines the entire refrigeration system inside a single wall-mounted unit, removing the outdoor condenser and refrigerant lines found on conventional mini-splits
- The Monoblock delivers 10,000 BTU of cooling and 9,000 BTU of heating, carries a 15 SEER2 / 7.5 HSPF2 efficiency rating, and operates in outdoor temperatures from 5°F to 113°F — enough for a single room rather than a whole house
- Installation still requires cutting two large openings through an exterior wall for air intake and exhaust plus a condensate drain hole, and the 93-pound unit is described as a likely two-person job — so 'plug-and-play' doesn't mean 'set it on the floor and plug it in'
- MRCOOL director of sales Christian Rea said the design eliminates the cost and hassle of an outdoor condenser and cuts installation time by 60% compared with central systems
- The sealed refrigerant circuit means homeowners don't need to handle refrigerant or hire an HVAC technician to charge the system, though MRCOOL notes local building and electrical codes still apply
- Pricing ranges from about $1,370 to $1,550 across authorized retailers, with at least one listing showing an August 31 release date, and the unit uses R-32 refrigerant — a lower global-warming-potential alternative to the older R-410A
Why it matters: Garages, ADUs, sunrooms, and small offices now have a heat-pump option that skips the $1,000+ line-set install and the landlord/HOA fight over a condenser pad — MRCOOL's quoted 60% install-time cut and a $1,370 starting price put zoned, electric heating within reach of homeowners who can't or won't do a conventional mini-split.
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