Monoblock heat pumps

[jlv03]

Stumbled across an interesting use of the term "monoblock" a few days ago in regards to heat pump. Up until now, I have associated the term to mean an air-to-water heat pump, where only the water is brought inside.

Looks like Mr. Cool is using the term for an all-in-one heat pump setup:

Monoblock | MRCOOL®

The MRCOOL® Monoblock is a 4-in-1 climate solution — cooling, heating, fan, and dehumidifying in a self-contained, 115V plug-and-play design. Year-round comfort, as quiet as 32 dBA.

www.mrcool.com

The price seems reasonable, and it eliminates an outside disconnect and the space for the outside unit.

Other than the limited amount of BTUs and the large amount of needed inside wall space, I'm struggling to find any downsides. Seems like a good fit for my garage situation.

There is a startup that offers something similar, but the price seemed a bit prohibitive to me: https://merinoenergy.com/

 

[dscheidt]

Mr Cool reinvents the PTAC, film at 11.

 

[manwithtools]

There is a startup that offers something similar, but the price seemed a bit prohibitive to me: https://merinoenergy.com/

The startup's price appears to include installation. It's overall in interesting concept.

It's not really a PTAC, although very similar in packaging, it appears to have a much simpler installation procedure, no need to have a huge rectangular wall opening like a PTAC (which is why you usually see them under a window). This system only requires two small round penetrations through the wal.

 

[pcmeiners]

Performance is dismal, sticks out 8", you still need to run electric and a drain, DB level is high, capacity is very low, 1 year warranty. So you trade performance and a good bit of money in electric cost because it is easier to install. Since it is an "hour install" how much are the professional going to charge ?

 

[fitter30]

Can buy these for $1500. Conserser air is built in and two holes In the back get rid of the heat outside along with the condensate that evaporated by the condenser like most window ac.
mrcooldiydirect.com/products/mrcool-monoblock-10000-btu-through-wall-heat-pump-mdm10115d

 

[dscheidt]

The startup's price appears to include installation. It's overall in interesting concept.

It's not really a PTAC, although very similar in packaging, it appears to have a much simpler installation procedure, no need to have a huge rectangular wall opening like a PTAC (which is why you usually see them under a window). This system only requires two small round penetrations through the wal.

It's absolutely a PTAC, it's just packaged differently and less efficiently. It needs three holes -- 1" for condensate, and two 8" holes for air. That's smaller than a standard ptac cutout, but a split that size needs a single 3" hole. I get the attraction of easy installation (except drilling 8" holes isn't easy), and there are probably places where it makes sense, but if a split is possible it's the better choice. a window unit might be a better choice for a lot of uses.

 

[WildBill]

It's absolutely a PTAC, it's just packaged differently and less efficiently. It needs three holes -- 1" for condensate, and two 8" holes for air. That's smaller than a standard ptac cutout, but a split that size needs a single 3" hole. I get the attraction of easy installation (except drilling 8" holes isn't easy), and there are probably places where it makes sense, but if a split is possible it's the better choice. a window unit might be a better choice for a lot of uses.

Here is what they have to say about it. I can see how in some very specific scenarios this could be useful, but agree 98% of the time something else would make more sense.

Is the MRCOOL Monoblock a PTAC system?
The MRCOOL Monoblock is similar to a traditional PTAC system in that it is a self-contained through-wall heating and cooling solution, but it offers several modern upgrades including DC inverter technology, quieter operation, improved energy efficiency, smart WiFi controls, and a cleaner residential appearance.

 

[pcmeiners]

except drilling 8" holes isn't easy

Yes, but the real fun begins if you have brick. Agree 98% of the time there are better solutions.

 

[darwens]

We own 3 monoblocks, but not from MRCOOL, and are very happy with them through both summer and winter. They're quite efficient and quiet. I had a contractor (not an HVAC guy) install them during a remodel...it took an hour tops (they charged us 200). Seven years later they're running perfectly. We learned the hard way to not scrimp on horsepower, the lower powered units are less efficient and louder.

Our units are Innova 2.0 (gen 2), with a 12HP EU rated motor (which I think isn't the same as US HP), they are well built and 8" deep. MRCOOL looks like a toy in comparison, so as I'm trying to buy 3 more units I'm a little wary. Innova is completely sold out in the US due to their commercial business - I can't even get them to sell me one. MRCOOL clearly has a similar problem...good luck finding one in stock.

I noticed the Merinoenergy units are quite pricey and still not built as well...our Innova units cost us about $1800 (Euros). Merino is a startup selling only to SF bay area homes, so haven't yet figured out the reality of what their product is actually worth.

I would be very curious to see a review of MrCool after two years in operation.