UltrEco Series 30,000 BTU 2 Zone Mini Split Heat Pump with WiFi, 23 SEER2, 18K + 18K

The usual fixes are all blunt. Window units block the glass and come out again every autumn, portable units drag a hose to the window, and running the central system harder costs whole house energy to solve a two room problem.

Two matched 18,000 BTU units run off one outdoor unit, each with its own set temperature and its own fan speed. The pair is balanced, so neither room gets the short end when both call at once. No ducts get cut and no window gets blocked.

The kit, unpacked

The carton holds one outdoor condenser, two wall mounted heads, and two 16 ft copper line sets (3/8 in gas, 1/4 in liquid), two 13 ft communication wires, two 6.5 ft drain hoses, two remotes, two mounting plates, wall sleeves, caps, tape, putty and screw kits. The outdoor unit measures 41.2" x 17.9" x 31.8" and weighs 149 lb. The indoor units are a matched pair of 18,000 BTU wall mounted heads, 26.5 lb each, measuring 38.8" x 8.9" x 12.4".

Getting the sizing right

Both indoor units are 18,000 BTU: a 1.5 ton each, 81 pints a day of moisture removal, and 35 dB on the quietest fan speed. Those are the manufacturer's nameplate figures. Natural Resources Canada asks for a recognised load calculation, CSA F280, before a heat pump is chosen, because floor area alone does not tell you what a room actually loses on a cold night.

Heating when the thermometer falls

Heating output on any air source heat pump falls as the outdoor air gets colder. The manufacturer rates this outdoor unit to keep heating down to -25 C (-13 F) and to keep cooling up to 52 C (125 F), and fits a chassis heater that keeps the base pan from icing up. What that figure does not tell you is your balance point, the outdoor temperature below which the heat pump can no longer carry the load on its own. Natural Resources Canada describes that point and the backup heat that takes over below it; your installer works it out for your house.

Filters, noise and day to day control

Filters slide out of the front panel and rinse under the tap, which is the maintenance most owners actually do. Both heads are rated at 35 dB on their quietest setting. Controls run through the wifi app or the backlit remote, with 6 modes (auto, cool, heat, dry, fan and sleep) and 5 fan speeds, a 24 hour timer and a set range of 60 F to 90 F.

Each indoor unit has its own controller and its own target temperature, so one room can sit at 20 C while the other sits at 23 C, from one outdoor unit and one circuit. Both zones share that one compressor: output is divided when they call at once, and the manufacturer does not publish simultaneous heating and cooling for this system, so do not plan on it.

Rated 23 SEER2 for cooling and 10 HSPF2 for heating. The compressor ramps its speed up and down to hold a temperature instead of switching hard on and off.

R32 carries a global warming potential of 675, well under a third of the R410A it replaces, and is rated A2L, which means low toxicity and mild flammability.

Rated to keep heating down to -25 C (-13 F) and cooling up to 52 C (125 F). The heated base pan is there to stop meltwater freezing under the coil during a defrost cycle.

Set and monitor each zone from the app or from the remote that ships with each head. A 24 hour timer handles schedules, and the set range runs 60 F to 90 F.

Two 16 ft copper line sets, communication wire, drain hoses and mounting hardware ship with the system. The manufacturer does not publish a maximum line length for this model, so have your installer confirm the runs before the holes are cut.

This is not a plug in appliance. It needs a dedicated 208-230V, 60 Hz, single phase circuit and a disconnect at the outdoor unit, wired by an electrician. The indoor units are fed from the outdoor unit, not from separate outlets.

The manufacturer lists this series as Energy Star, AHRI and ETL certified. Certification marks also appear on the specification photo in the gallery.

Ships from a Canadian warehouse. Free shipping on orders over $150; some remote areas, PO boxes and surcharge regions may cost extra.

Return within 14 days of purchase, unused, in original condition and packaging.

Covered directly by the manufacturer under their warranty terms for material and manufacturing defects.

Older homes on hot water or electric baseboard get cooling and heat pump heating without a duct being cut, since the refrigerant lines need only a small wall penetration.

Both indoor units are 18,000 BTU, so the pair suits two comparable spaces: two bedrooms, or a main floor split into two areas.

Refrigerant work is regulated in every province, and the manufacturer requires a professional technician. This suits buyers who already have an HVAC contractor and an electrician lined up.

What we stand behind

• One outdoor unit, two indoor units and two 16 ft line sets in the box
• Ships from a Canadian warehouse, free shipping over $150
• 14 day returns on unused product in original packaging
• Covered by the manufacturer's warranty for material and manufacturing defects

Can a homeowner install this, or is a licensed installer required?

The manufacturer states that professional installation is required for this system. In Canada, handling refrigerant is regulated province by province, and provinces require trained service providers for installing, servicing and decommissioning equipment that contains halocarbons. Ontario, as one example, restricts removing, discharging and disposing of refrigerants to certified technicians and requires a separate trade Certificate of Qualification to actually work on the equipment. Budget for an HVAC contractor and an electrician.

What electrical supply does it need?

A dedicated 208-230V, 60 Hz, single phase circuit, not a wall outlet. On a multi zone system the indoor units are powered from the outdoor unit rather than from their own plugs, and code calls for a disconnect at the outdoor unit. An electrician sizes the breaker and wire from the unit's own nameplate.

What size room does each indoor unit suit?

The manufacturer rates the 18,000 BTU unit at 1.5 ton and the 18,000 BTU unit at 1.5 ton, but publishes no square footage for this series, so we are not going to invent one. Natural Resources Canada asks for a recognised load calculation such as CSA F280 before a heat pump is selected; your installer runs it on your own rooms.

How well does it heat in a Canadian winter?

The outdoor unit is rated to keep heating down to -25 C (-13 F), and a chassis heater keeps the base pan clear. Output still drops as it gets colder: Natural Resources Canada describes the balance point, the outdoor temperature below which a heat pump can no longer carry the whole load and backup heat takes over. Where that point falls depends on your house, not on the equipment alone, so ask your installer to work it out.