A US start-up has launched a wall-mounted heat pump that is smaller and quieter than traditional heat pumps.
Quilt has created an air source heat pump and units that can be hung onto walls to help blend into home's decor to help make heat pumps a more attractive option for homeowners.
The heat pump could see heat pumps not just be seen as a heating system but as feature inside and outside the home.
Unique wall-mounted design
Quilt's aim was to create a heat pump that blends inside and outside of homes seamlessly so as not to ruin the decor at the cost of energy-efficiency.
They achieved this by creating wall-mounted units inside the home that link to the heat pump. The heat pump can be mounted to a pad on the ground, with a bracket to a wall, or onto the roof.
The indoor units are around 7 7/8 inches tall, allowing them to fit into tight spaces above windows and doors. These units can also be painted or wallpapered to match interior designs and can even serve as light sources.
The Quilt wall-mounted units install and operate exactly like a normal mini-split heat pump but they are slightly smaller and lighter whilst also operating at just 27-47 dBA.
Bringing HVAC into the 21st century
Quilt’s system provides climate control for every room by using the Quilt Dial and App where homeowners can precisely manage their home’s temperature.
The Quilt Dial, featuring a high-resolution touchscreen, can be installed on walls or tabletops. The Quilt App, available for both iPhone and Android, not only controls the system but also offers real-time energy usage and efficiency reports.
The system also offers room-by-room control, advanced sensors to prevent energy waste, temperature preconditioning, and personal energy data reports to help homeowners manage their climate settings more effectively.
Aimed to accelerate heat pump uptake
Recognising that compromising aesthetics is a potential barrier to people installing heat pumps, Quilt aimed to resolve this with its new product.
“Designing the Quilt system has been an opportunity for us to bring thoughtfully designed products into homes that accelerate the adoption of our electric future,” said Mike Simonian & Maaike Evers, Co-founders, Mike & Maaike.
“At the heart of good design is understanding the context of people and their living environments. We worked very closely with Quilt to design a lasting and integral part of the home.
"The Quilt Dial's tactility invites interaction, the Indoor Unit's form allows for subtle integration or bold statements, and the Outdoor Unit's textures harmonise with your exterior space. Every element is thoughtfully designed to look and feel right at home.”
The Quilt system is not currently available in the UK but is being trialled in the US and Canada.
