How Quilt Conquered the Heat Pump’s Biggest Problem
▼ Summary
– Quilt launched a new three-zone heat pump that uses one outdoor unit to power three indoor heads, simplifying large installations and reducing outdoor footprint.
– The company’s development advantage stems from extensive data collection via internet-connected, sensor-rich units installed in homes and businesses.
– Analyzing this real-world data allowed Quilt to ship a previous over-the-air update that unlocked 20% more capacity and to solve low-speed compressor stability issues.
– Through design tweaks like a larger copper coil and a smaller compressor, Quilt claims its unit maintains high efficiency and nearly 90% capacity in extreme cold (-13°F).
– The system allows individual indoor head control for minimal output and efficient low-speed operation, with future product development guided by continued data analysis.
A new three-zone heat pump from smart home company Quilt aims to solve a persistent efficiency problem that plagues many traditional systems, especially in extreme weather. The innovation stems from the startup’s unique approach of leveraging real-world performance data from its connected devices, a strategy recently supported by a substantial $20 million Series B funding round aimed at expanding sales and product development.
The system operates with a single outdoor unit powering three indoor air handlers, simplifying larger installations, reducing outdoor space requirements, and potentially lowering costs. However, the core advancement lies in how Quilt engineered the unit to maintain high efficiency across a wide range of operating conditions, a challenge where many competitors falter.
The fundamental issue for heat pumps, including multi-zone models, involves variable-speed operation. Systems run most efficiently when the compressor speed adjusts to match the heating or cooling demand. The problem emerges at very low speeds, where compressors become unstable and difficult to control, akin to the challenge of driving a car steadily at 11 mph versus 70 mph. Typically, manufacturers program systems to shut off the compressor below a certain threshold, which sacrifices both efficiency and consistent comfort.
Quilt tackled this by analyzing vast amounts of operational data gathered from the roughly one thousand units it already has installed in homes and businesses. Unlike products developed solely in laboratory settings tested under limited scenarios, Quilt’s devices provide a continuous stream of information from diverse real-world climates and usage patterns. This data-driven insight allowed engineers to identify optimization opportunities and address performance in edge cases that lab tests might miss.
This analysis directly informed the design of the new three-zone unit. The company employs a larger copper coil than many competitors, which enables the use of a smaller, more precisely controlled compressor. Combined with other design refinements, this approach allows the system to deliver nearly 90% of its rated heating capacity (27,000 BTUs) even in frigid temperatures as low as -13°F, without compromising its low-demand efficiency. Quilt claims this makes it the most efficient three-zone mini-split system available.
For energy savings, each indoor head can be controlled independently, providing minimal output when needed, as little as 2,210 BTUs for heating or 1,570 for cooling. When a zone requires no heating or cooling, refrigerant continues to circulate. However, due to the enhanced low-speed stability of the outdoor unit, it releases only about 300 BTUs of heat in that mode, a heat output comparable to that of an adult human.
This is not Quilt’s first data-powered upgrade. Previously, the company issued an over-the-air software update that unlocked an additional 20% capacity for existing units, providing extra comfort during heat waves or cold snaps at no cost to the customer. Looking ahead, while company leadership remains quiet on specific future products, they emphasize a goal of providing solutions for all homes, suggesting that continued data collection will be central to guiding their development roadmap.
(Source: TechCrunch)
