Ductless Heat Pumps Demystified
Climate change has the odd effect of making many of us inordinately excited about appliances we never used to care about. Suddenly, all the background machines, which have up to now been unconsciously powering our lives, have taken on outsized importance. Some of them have the potential to provide the essential services we depend on while, at the same time, not destroying our planet like the fossil fuel powered machines of the 19th and 20th centuries.
Ductless heat pumps are a prime example. In the past, many of us used gas furnaces and boilers to heat our homes and burned fuels that emitted copious amounts of CO2 in the process. Now, with the magical heat pump, we have access to efficient electric technologies for heating and cooling that can be powered entirely by renewable energy, and thus be carbon neutral.
Photo courtesy of The Heat Pump Store
Brief History and Growth of Ductless Heat Pumps
Ductless heat pumps (DHPs) were developed in Japan after World War 2. They were invented and perfected on an island that doesn’t have easy access to fossil fuels, and so they are the ideal heating/cooling system for our modern world given they don’t rely on combustion and are also incredibly efficient.
They condition 90% of Japanese homes, and worldwide their usage is growing like crazy, with an expected doubling of heat pump sales in the next five years. In the UK, sales are projected to increase 20 fold, and in the US, some areas are seeing sales growth north of 40% every year.
My family has used ductless heat pumps for our heating and cooling since 2012 when we bought our house. The gas furnace that came with our house was old, and we made the decision to replace it with new ductless heat pumps. (A major perk is that mounting the units on the wall saved valuable floor space in the garage, formerly dedicated to the gas furnace, which we converted into an apartment). We had seen them used in Europe and figured, even 9 years ago when the electrification movement was in its infancy, that heating with efficient electricity would allow us to reduce our carbon emissions with the solar panels we planned to install on our roof.
Photo from Joe Wachunas
What is Ductless?
But what is a Ductless Heat Pump (a.k.a. mini-split)? Basically, it is a heating/cooling system that is different from a traditional furnace in several ways:
1. DHPs don’t have air ducts. Rather than forcing hot air through potentially leaky ducts, ductless systems place an indoor device on a wall and an outdoor unit (similar to a typical AC unit) which provides heating and cooling. This means no air escapes through leaky ducts, creating more efficient conditioning.
Indoor unit. Photo Courtesy of The Heat Pump Store.
2. DHPs don’t burn things. Ductless heat pumps use electricity to provide heating and cooling. Electricity is rapidly moving towards being fully renewable and thus will soon produce zero emissions (the Biden administration set a goal of 2035 for example).
3. DHPs are like refrigerators in reverse. Instead of burning fuel, ductless heat pumps create heating and cooling through refrigeration. This means they capture heat from outside (even when it’s cold) and move it into your house, and vice versa for cooling. It’s pretty magical. The refrigerants used by DHPs can be potent greenhouse gases themselves, but luckily the world is moving quickly to using better, more environmentally friendly refrigerants (check out this website for a new type of refrigerant called R32).
Refrigerant lines from ductless heat pumps. Photo courtesy of The Heat Pump Store.
4. DHPs are incredibly efficient. This is because a) no air leaks through ducts b) they heat the room they are in (rather than the whole house), c) moving heat is vastly more efficient than creating it, and d) they use inverter systems (see below). As a result, they typically use three times less energy than old electric resistance heaters and six times less than gas.
Demystifying a couple DHP terms
Speaking of efficiency, let’s demystify a couple of terms associated with ductless heat pumps.
SEER — SEER is a number that measures how well a technology provides cooling. The higher the number, the more efficient the unit. Most new air conditioners have a SEER between 13 and 21, but ductless can often see a SEER over 30, which gives you an idea of how efficient they are. If you’re in a warm climate, SEER is especially important.
HSPF — HSPF stands for Heating Season Performance Factor and complements the SEER rating in that it measures how efficiently a heat pump heats a space. The minimum required HSPF rating in the US is 7.7. An 8.5 score is considered good, and over 10 is excellent. If you’re in a cooler climate, where the predominant energy use is for heating, HSPF is most important.
Example of SEER and HSPF ratings
I interviewed Tim Sharp, from the Heat Pump Store here in Oregon, which has installed thousands of ductless heat pumps over the last decade. He said that you’ll want your DHP to be most efficient in heating if you’re in a cold climate, and cooling if you’re in a warm climate. People in the northern US should probably focus on HSPF, while in the southern US, people should focus on SEER. Tim also said that investing in a DHP with higher scores will be more expensive up front, but the additional cost usually pays for itself over time through energy savings.
Ductless Heat Pumps in Cold weather
I also learned from Tim that DHPs were originally developed to provide only cooling (like a refrigerator), yet they have “constantly gotten better for heating purposes in almost every environment.” If you’re in a cold climate, you probably want to think about the “extended capacity” models, which are able to provide more heating. According to Tim, they don’t cost significantly more and offer more BTUs per hour output. Read more on how to use heat pumps in cold climates here.
Ductless vs. Ducted
If you have existing ductwork in a space, you may consider a different approach when transitioning to heat pumps. Not all heat pumps are ductless. You can get central heat pumps that work with a typical central AC system, and provide heating that blows that hot air through ducts. These central heat pumps are not much more expensive than central air conditioning, and many people think that swapping out every central AC system for a ducted heat pump is an important strategy to quickly get us off natural gas and reduce carbon emissions.
Ductless, on the other hand, is a no-brainer when you’re adding heating or cooling to a room without any ductwork. And DHPs also offer greater efficiency as well as economic and environmental advantages over a central ducted heating system. In addition to the efficiencies mentioned above, ductless heat pumps use inverter technology, which means they run at variable speeds. Tim from the Heat Pump Store compares this to starting your car at a red light. Inverters slowly rev the engine when starting and stopping, while typical central AC systems gun it and brake hard, meaning they are much less efficient. All DHPs use inverter technology, while virtually all conventional (ducted) heat pumps don’t, meaning DHPs are much more efficient.
My family chose ductless heat pumps in our house, rather than a whole house heat pump, even though we had existing ductwork from our old gas furnace because of the increased efficiency.
Photo courtesy of The Heat Pump Store
Humidity and air quality
Though ductless heat pumps help to dehumidify a room, it is not their primary purpose. In places with humidity problems, a separate dehumidifier may still be necessary. Similarly, DHPs have built in air filters, but can’t generally filter air to the extent that ducted systems do with high rated MERV filters. Tim from The Heat Pump Store said that air filtering is considered a separate system, from heating/cooling, in places where heat pumps are most prevalent, and people typically buy another device for air filtration.
Brands
There are four leading brands of ductless heat pumps: Mitsubishi, Fujitsu, LG, and Daikin. Most of the top brands are Japanese, given they first developed the technology. This NY Times article has some solid reviews on each of these four brands.
Choosing a contractor
Finding a good installer is important. Many contractors may try to talk you out of electric heating and cooling (and into gas). Plus, you’ll want someone to help you correctly size a system for your needs. That means someone with lots of experience in ductless heat pump systems as well as a good reputation and reviews. Getting three bids is always a solid strategy. One pro tip is to look on a manufacturer’s page for contractors in your area that are certified to install their product.
Photo Courtesy of The Heat Pump Store
Cost and Aesthetics
As Tim told me in our interview, ductless heat pumps aren’t a panacea. Any technology has its downsides. As my wife points out, the indoor equipment that sits high on your wall takes up space and isn’t the most beautiful thing in the world. Ductless Heat Pumps can also be expensive. A system with a single indoor unit can run $3,000–$5,000, but if you’re putting multiple “heads” throughout your house, costs can quickly go over $10,000.
Yet, for me, after 9 years of heating and cooling our house with ductless heat pumps, and with the climate emergency we find ourselves in, any drawbacks to ductless heat pumps are vastly outweighed by their immense benefits. Heat pumps are the heating and cooling technology for this era of climate change, and ductless heat pumps are the most efficient versions of this technology. They allow us to get off fossil fuels and efficiently heat and cool, in any climate, with clean electricity.
Learn more and do a deep dive into Ductless Heat Pumps with Tim from the Heat Pump Store in a recent webinar I hosted with Electrify Now, and let us know about your thoughts and experiences with ductless heat pumps in the comments below!
Photo courtesy of The Heat Pump Store
In a bid to get it above the $1.00/share NASDAQ-required minimum, fledgling EV brand Polestar ($PSNY) is rumored to be considering a 1:30 reverse stock split that could see the per-share price rocket up to nearly $16.
Geely-owned Volvo spinoff Polestar is working as hard as Tesla to prove that stock prices have little or nothing to do with traditional business fundamentals in 2025.
That’s because Polestar posted a 36.5% increase in retail sales and a heady 48.8% increase in revenue (to $2.17 billion) over the year before, Polestar’s share price has plummeted more than 35% in a matter of a few weeks – culminating in an unwelcome nastygram from NASDAQ threatening to delist the company’s shares from the NASDAQ if they didn’t climb back up above $1.
It looks bad
To goose the share price, CarScoops is reporting that Polestar aims to move forward with the reverse stock split before the end of 2025. The expected 1:30 reverse split would boost the PSNY price to an estimated $15.90 per share at current prices, keeping the brand well out of risk of a delisting.
In a reverse stock split, each share of the company is converted into a fraction of a share – so, if a company announces a one for ten reverse stock split (1:10), every ten shares that you own will be converted into a single share. In a 1:30 reverse split like the one rumored here, every thirty shares in Polestar would become a single share.
The reverse split increases share price, but it’s not without risk:
A company may declare a reverse stock split in an effort to increase the trading price of its shares – for example, when it believes the trading price is too low to attract investors to purchase shares, or in an attempt to regain compliance with minimum bid price requirements of an exchange on which its shares trade … investors may lose money as a result of fluctuations in trading prices following reverse stock splits.
That’s especially relevant because, despite the increased sales and revenue, the company is also posting increased losses. Through September, the brand posted a $1.56 billion net loss compared to an $867 million loss in the first nine months of 2024. The company is also getting hit hard by Trump-imposed tariffs in the US and increased downward pressure on pricing coming from aggressive post-tax credit discounts from rival brands like BMW and Kia.
If the split does happen, here’s hoping Polestar can make the most of their borrowed time and they don’t end up like Lordstown Motors or Faraday Future – two brands that have pulled similar reverse stock splits with dubious results.
Electrek’s Take
Product-wise, at least, Polestar’s future appears to be bright. The new 3 crossover is a viable competitor to the industry-leading Tesla Model Y, and the upcoming Polestar 4 and 5 models seem like winners, too. To drive that point home, Polestar is promoting up to $18,000 in lease incentives to lure Tesla buyers into their showrooms.
You can find out more about Polestar’s killer EV deals on the full range of Polestar models, from the 2 to the 4, below, then let us know what you think of the three-pointed star’s latest discount dash in the comments section at the bottom of the page.
SOURCE: CarScoops; images via Polestar.
If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
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With its sleek, uncluttered styling and more than 100 miles of battery-electric range before the extended range electric sedan’s gas engine kicks on, maybe the new Nissan N6 really should have been the next Maxima!
Struggling Japanese carmaker Nissan is dealing with an aging lineup and a brand identity driven more by subprime financing than any suggestion of reliability or sportiness here in the US – but overseas? The brand is rolling out hit after hit, and the latest Nissan N6 plug-in sedan promises exactly the sort of entry-level panache that could change its American fortunes.
“Under our Re:Nissan plan, we are redefining what Nissan delivers today and beyond,” explains Nissan President and CEO Ivan Espinosa. “It’s about strengthening our core, reigniting Nissan’s heartbeat, and creating products that inspire excitement and trust. It is about a sharper, more focused product strategy, a stronger brand, and a renewed commitment to our customers. Integral to this transformation is China — an essential market whose speed, technological leadership, and customer insights are setting the pace for the global auto industry.”
Developed by the Nissan Dongfeng JV in China, the new N6 is more compact that the well-received N7 BEV. In fact, the new Nissan N6, at 190.1″ long, compares nicely to the 192.8″ length of the most recent (and largest-ever) US Maxima, discontinued in 2023. Like the Maxima, the top-shelf version features modern, near-luxe features like soft, leather-like surfaces, LED mood lighting, multi-way adjustable seats, and mimosas or something.
Mimosas or something
The four or five passengers inside the N6 are propelled down the road exclusively by the car’s 208 hp electric motor, which is efficient enough to take you 112 miles on a full charge of its 21.1 kWh LFP battery. Once that charge is depleted, a 1.5L gas engine kicks on as a high-efficiency generator to keep the good times rolling.
Nissan says the N6′ exterior design, “features a V-Motion signature grille and expressive LED lighting at the front and rear.” And says that the car’s crisp lines give it, “a confident, dynamic presence.”
All of which sounds good on its own, but sounds absolutely miraculous when you consider the car’s Chinese price: ¥106,900 – or about $15,000 US for the base Nissan N6 180 Pro, as I type this.
Even with a nearly 100% markup to give it a $29,990 price tag in the US, I think the N6 would be a huge hit in the North American market. And – good news! – thanks to Canada’s apparent willingness to give Chinese carmakers a shot, we might find out if I’m right somewhat sooner than later.
Check out the Nissan N6 image gallery, below, then let us know what you think of the car’s US and Canadian appeal in the comments.
Nissan N6 gallery
SOURCE | IMAGES: Nissan.
If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Environment
BLUETTI just dropped new home backup power stations – and slashed prices up to 65% for Black Friday
Whether you’re prepping for winter power outages, loading up the RV for a long-haul trip, or want clean, reliable power anywhere you go, BLUETTI has a portable power option for every need. And right now, the clean energy experts are offering up to 65% off their most popular products for Black Friday – plus they’ve just dropped two major new releases: the Elite 400 and B500K expansion battery.
Here’s a complete guide to what’s new, what’s on sale, and how to pick the model that fits your lifestyle best. There are also some special deals just for Electrek readers, so don’t miss out!
For home backup + outdoor adventures: Elite 200 V2 and all-new Elite 400
Elite 200 V2 – Best value for backup, camping, and van life
BLUETTI’s Elite 200 V2 is designed for power users who need versatility. It’s nicknamed the “Swiss Army Knife” of portable power stations because it powers everything from your fridge to your laptop — whether you’re off the grid or just want to keep the lights on during a storm.
Key specs:
- Battery capacity: 2,073.6Wh
- Continuous power output: 2,600W (3,900W surge)
- 9 output ports: AC, DC, USB-C, and more
- Recharges to 80% in just over one hour
- Ultra-quiet 16 dB operation
- LiFePO₄ battery with a 17-year lifespan (3,500+ cycles)
Who it’s for:
- RVers, weekend campers, off-grid explorers, small cabin owners
- Homeowners looking for dependable backup power
Commonly powered devices: Mini-fridges, coffee makers, power tools, microwaves, kettles, electric blankets, laptops, LED lights, wifi routers
Its compact profile makes it easy to tuck away in an RV cabinet, trunk, or apartment closet.
Elite 200 V2 Portable Power Station is regularly priced at $1,699, and it’s on sale for the record-low price of $699 – that’s a 59% discount for Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Elite 400 Rolling Power Station — New and optimized for home
Launching November 15, the Elite 400 is a powerful 3.8kWh portable station designed with mobility and backup readiness in mind. With built-in wheels, a telescoping handle, and side grips, you can roll it anywhere – even if you’re flying solo.
Key specs:
- Battery capacity: 3,840Wh
- Continuous power output: 2,600W (3,900W lifting power)
- 9 output ports for simultaneous device charging
- 15ms UPS switchover during power outages
- Recharges to 80% in 70 minutes using AC + solar
- Low standby energy use (3W) with app-control wakeup and timers
Who it’s for:
- Homeowners needing serious backup power
- Outdoor event hosts, road trippers, off-grid enthusiasts
Commonly powered devices: Full-size refrigerators, sump pumps, CPAP machines, space heaters, power tools, projectors, outdoor cooking appliances, large TVs
Whether you’re powering your home in a blackout or running a campsite movie night, the Elite 400 delivers enough capacity to handle just about anything.
The new Elite 400 Portable Power Station is regularly priced at $2,999, and it’s making its debut on November 15 for $1,499 – that’s a 50% discount for Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
For whole-home power and off-grid living: Meet the new B500K expansion battery
If you’re looking for a system that grows with your energy needs, the B500K expansion battery delivers massive storage potential at a competitive cost of around $0.33/Wh – making it an excellent choice for users seeking higher capacity than the well-acclaimed B300K. Paired with the Apex 300, it also qualifies for the soon-to-end 30% Federal Tax Credit. Designed to integrate seamlessly into BLUETTI’s modular ecosystem, it’s ideal for home battery backup or off-grid setups.
Key specs:
- Supports up to 100 kWh storage (paired with Apex 300 system)
- Compatible with BLUETTI’s SolarX 4K, B300K, Hub D1, and more
- Acts as both standalone power or an expansion battery
- Future-proof with long-term ecosystem integration
The new B500K expansion battery is regularly priced at $2,999, and it’s making its debut on November 15 for $1,699 – that’s a 43% discount for Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Ideal bundles:
- Apex 300 + B500K: Best for large homes, off-grid living, and whole-home backup. With a larger individual capacity, the B500K enables a plug-and-play power system that can be expanded to a massive 100 kWh with the Apex 300. It provides 3.8 kW of power output and 7,884.8 Wh of capacity in total.
The Apex 300 + B500K Home Battery Backup is priced at $4,998, and it’s on sale for Black Friday for $3,098 – that’s a 38% discount.
- Apex 300 + B300K: The Apex 300, paired with the B300K, provides 5.5 kWh of capacity and up to 3.8kW of power output, offering smaller households or remote cabins reliable off-grid energy with room to scale. It’s an ideal way to support essential loads, such as refrigerators, lights, fans, and wifi routers, without the need to invest in a larger setup.
The Apex 300 + B300K is normally priced at $4,098, and it’s on sale for Black Friday for $2,299 –that’s a 44% discount.
Plus! Both bundles are fully eligible for the 30% federal Residential Clean Energy Credit through December 2025.
For everyday portability: Elite 30 V2 and the new Elite 10
Elite 30 V2 – now in EcoTide colors
If you need lightweight, flexible power for camping, car trips, desk-side charging, or college dorm use, the Elite 30 V2 is the sweet spot. Weighing just 4.3 kg, it’s a portable backup that fits in your backpack or on a small shelf. Plus, it comes in six fun colors.
Key specs:
- Battery capacity: 288Wh
- Continuous power output: 600W (1,500W surge)
- 9 output ports including 140W USB-C PD
- Charges to 80% in 45 minutes
- Quiet operation under 30 dB
- 10-year LiFePO₄ battery lifespan, with a 5-year warranty
Ideal for powering: Laptops, DSLR cameras, portable fans, smartphones, drones, modems, LED lighting, external hard drives
It’s perfect for digital nomads, travelers, or anyone who needs reliable backup power without adding bulk.
Elite 30 V2 Portable Power Station is regularly priced at $304, and it’s on sale for $199 – that’s a 35% discount for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. You can buy it on BLUETTI’s website here and on Amazon here.
Sneak preview: The new Elite 10 – pocket-sized power
Launching on November 20, the palm-sized Elite 10 is BLUETTI’s most compact power station yet. It’s the perfect in-between if a power bank won’t cut it, but you don’t want a full-sized power station.
Key specs:
- Battery capacity: 128Wh
- Power output: 200W AC (300W peak, 400W surge)
- 5 DC outlets + 200W AC outlet
- Fully recharges in 70 minutes
- LED light modes: reading, warm, SOS
Perfect for powering: Bluetooth speakers, portable fans, DSLR cameras, tablets, Chromebooks, routers, handheld consoles, mini-fridges
Small enough to slip into a tote, train bag, or glovebox, the Elite 10 is built for everyday carry and quick power access.
The Elite 10 launches next week and is said to be the best budget-friendly option yet – available for under $150, and rumored to go even lower. You’ll be able to grab it on BLUETTI’s website and on Amazon here starting November 20.
Electrek exclusive discounts
In addition to the fantastic Black Friday Cyber Monday sale prices, up to 65% off, BLUETTI is offering a special discount code just for Electrek readers!
- 95% of BLUETTI products qualify for an extra 5% off with code: ELECTREK5OFF
- The new Elite 400 and all Apex 300 series products qualify for 6% off with code: ELECTREK6OFF
Now is the best time to invest in a power system that’s quiet, clean, and ready whenever you need it – at home or beyond the grid.
The trusted name offers a full lineup of portable power stations to keep you charged – whether a winter storm hits or you’re enjoying outdoor adventures – and stay charged, no matter where life takes you.
Follow BLUETTI on Twitter/X here and on Facebook here.
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