San Francisco-based climate hardware company has launched an indoor plug-and-play heat pump system for residential applications.
“Taking a page from the ease of appliance delivery and installation, the company's flagship system, the Merino Mono, is the first room heat pump that installs in under an hour, requires no outdoor unit, and comes at a single transparent flat rate – $3,800, including hardware and professional installation,” the company's CEO Mary-Ann Rau told pv magazine.
“The plug-and-play system is designed to remove the friction that has kept efficient heating and cooling out of reach for the tens of millions of households in condos, apartments, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), older homes, and in urban areas that traditional systems have never been able to serve,” she went on to say.
The product, branded Merino Mono, can be installed in less than one hour, using a “drill, plug, and play” approach that requires only standard tools and a conventional household outlet, the manufacturer said.
The wall-mounted unit integrates all heating and cooling components into a single indoor device, eliminating the need for a separate outdoor condenser. Unlike traditional split systems, which often require refrigerant lines, electrical upgrades, and outdoor units, the Mono operates on a standard 120 V connection and uses a through-wall air exchange system, which reportedly avoids invasive retrofits and enables deployment in buildings with limited outdoor space or restrictive homeowner association (HOA) rules.
The Merino Mono delivers 7,500 BTU/h of heating and cooling capacity and is designed for spaces of up to approximately 32.5 m².
From a performance perspective, the system delivers a seasonal energy efficiency ratio 2 (SEER2) of 15.2 for cooling and a heating seasonal performance factor 2 (HSPF2) of 7.2 for heating. While these values are lower than those of some high-end split systems, they represent a deliberate trade-off in favor of simplified installation and broader accessibility. The unit operates within a temperature range of approximately −9 C to 46 C, making it well suited to moderate climates.
The new product comes with a 1-year warranty for the hardware and up to 3-years for labor.
“The unit is designed to fit seamlessly into existing homes with minimal visual impact,” said Rau. “Its paintable exterior vents can be matched to the building façade, while automated louvers regulate airflow without requiring manual input. Maintenance is simplified with a dishwasher-safe air filter, and the system operates quietly in both heating and cooling modes.”
In terms of controls, options range from a basic remote control to the dedicated Merino app and even voice-based, natural language commands. It also supports built-in integration with Apple HomeKit and Google Home. “A sleep optimization feature currently under development is expected to link the system with wearable devices such as the Oura Ring,” Rau added.
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Lol $3800 is some how low cost?
HVAC manufacturers need to stop taking advantage of the heat pump hype, and journalists need to stop validating those absurd price tags.
What does a cheap in window AC cost? A heat pump shouldn’t be much more than that
$3800 to heat/cool 350 sq ft??? So if you have a small 1050 sq ft home, it’ll take 3 units at a cost of $11,400 and the full 7500 BTU is only available down to 16°F because it’s SEER2 rating is only 15.2. Very few people are going to go for that. The installation can be that difficult… mount the bracket, cut two holes into the wall, hang the heat pump on the bracket, and plug it in. Very little skill is involved in the installation and there’s no way it takes more than three hours for two people to install three of them. Their glorified window heat pumps installed on the inside. I saw one that’s 8000 BTU the other day that’s SEER2 16 for $388. This thing is grossly overpriced. At a labor cost of $100/ hr, the $600 in labor means the 3 units cost $10,800. Allowing $800 per unit, 3 of them should be $2400… you’re about $8200 too high! That’s a lot of price gouging. Good luck with your venture, you’re going to need it. LOL
The technology sounds the same as the currently available “dual-hose” portable heat pumps (AC/Heat)…only the dual-hose portable units are FAR CHEAPER.
But bravo to making more heat pump choices available to the public
So instead of a 2 inch hole for refrigerant lines and a 1 inch hole for some romez, I have to drill two 4 or 6 inch holes for air exchange, and all to get a SEER2 that is fully 7 points lower than a mini split system that costs half as much.