2016: Ductless continues year-over-year sales increases  
Q1 2016 sales were 18% greater than Q1 2015. We are processing Q2 sales now and anticipate continued sales growth due to market partner investment in attractive promotion offers, increased demand for cooling, and growth of consumer interest in the technology. 
Market Research
NEEA has finalized the Ductless Heat Pump Market Progress and Evaluation Report (MPER) #5. These market reports provide the Project and industry partners valuable insights to market and consumer trends, shifts in the market, and results of homeowner and partner interviews. Some highlights include: 
  • The top three benefits that drove owners to purchase ductless systems are increased comfort, energy efficiency and saving money on energy bills.  
    • Recommendation: Careful sizing and placement can bring both comfort and savings to make the happiest of consumers. 
  • Nearly half of all interviewed ductless owners reported friends and family were their source of initial awareness of the technology. 
    • Recommendation: Ask satisfied customers to help spread the word.  Referral bonuses and posting testimonials on your website can help your business grow. 
  • Only 2% of ductless-aware households cited appearance as a primary reason for not choosing a ductless heat pump, well below cost and maintenance concerns, whereas installers named appearance most frequently as a perceived barrier to sales.
    • Recommendation: Focus on messages that reinforce confidence in product reliability, value and address long-term maintenance costs or concerns.
  • 67% of ductless purchasers rated utility rebates a very important or extremely important factor in their purchase decision. 
    • Recommendation: Increase your business by helping consumers access utility rebates and tax credits. Contact your local utilities to become part of their preferred contractor networks if you aren't already. 
Partners can utilize this research to identify market opportunities and refine how they position ductless systems to improve consumer sales. 

The ductless heat pump MPER #5 if available here for full review on NEEA's Ductless Heat Pump market research webpage. While you are visiting NEEA's ductless research page, be sure to check out past MPERs and other published research findings.  
Installation Tip
Pay attention to minimum lineset pipe lengths which can vary anywhere between 9' to 25' as specified by the manufacturer installation instructions. Lineset lengths that are shorter than the minimum can result in surging noise complaints as well as potential compressor damage.  

For other installation tips, check out the Best Practices Installation guide. 

Please reach out with any questions or feedback: info@goingductless.com
or 503.467.2159.
 
Sincerely,
The NW Ductless Heat Pump Project team


The NW Ductless Heat Pump Project is an initiative of the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA). NEEA is an alliance of more than 140 Northwest utilities and energy efficiency organizations working to accelerate the innovation and adoption of energy-efficient products, services and practices in the Northwest.