Ductless heat pumps are environmentally responsible heating and air conditioning systems. That’s why we chose to sell and install them. Here are some of the ways that ductless systems are considered ‘green’.
· About 30% of a home’s energy can be lost through traditional ductwork…That’s 30% of your home’s energy lost! Ductless systems require no ductwork.
· Ductless heat pumps have earned ENERGY STAR’s ‘Most Efficient’ rating for being 2.35 times more efficient than the government’s minimum standard for energy efficiency.
· Ductless systems use ‘Inverter Technology’. This translates to energy efficiency, continuous comfort and quieter operation due to lower RPMs
· Many manufacturers include sensors in their indoor units that adjust temperatures and air flow based on room occupancy thereby reducing energy use.
But the environmental impact of a Ductless Heat Pump’s consumer-use stage is only part of the picture. The major manufacturers of Ductless Heat Pumps (Mitsubishi, Fujitsu and Daikin) all have strong environmental policies and strive to be good stewards of the environment during manufacturing, and through community activities. Here is a brief summary of those policies:
· Reduction of CO2 emissions by products through more advanced, energy-saving technologies
· Reduction of harmful emissions during manufacturing process for cleaner, safer air quality
· Reduction of waste water and harmful chemical emissions during manufacturing process
· Recommendation that their global business offices and manufacturing plants practice environmentally responsible daily procedures, such as recycling
· Education of employees in wise environmental practices in the work place.
· Initiating global activities that help promote healthy environments
Let’s look at some specific environmental policies. Mitsubishi has Eco Changes. Within that is ‘Environmental Vision 2021’ that aims to contribute to a sustainable society through advanced technologies and activities. They emphasize recycling and reducing manufacturing waste. Read more about Mitsubishi’s commitment to the environment at https://www.mitsubishielectric.com/en/sustainability/environment/index.html
Fujitsu promotes environmental conservation through the sales and distribution of environmentally responsible products.They strive to use environmentally friendly resources from suppliers who follow green practices.
They provide ‘In-House Environmental Educational and Enlightenment Activities’ for their employees aimed at better work place environmental management. Employees participate in three educational activities to learn how to be more environmentally aware in their daily work tasks, and earn rewards for contributing to environmental awareness in their work place.
Daikin’s Environmental Policy includes making products that reduce CO2 emissions through the use of better refrigerants and developing more energy-efficient technologies. By the year 2020, Daikin plans to contribute to CO2 reductions of 60 million tons by selling more of its energy efficient inverter products and convert to low-global-warming-potential refrigerants. Their Action Plan 2015 included a mission to contribute to global CO2 emissions reductions by 30 million tons. In 2015, it was estimated that 29.93 million tons were eliminated. They are committed to better use of resources to reduce waste; reduce the amount of water used in manufacturing; reduce the amount of emissions of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds); have more factories achieve ‘Green Heart Factories’ and ‘Green Heat Offices’ certifications, meaning that the factories and workers adhere to environmentally responsible practices; and to implement and contribute to global environmental activities. To see how Daikin is contributing to reducing CO2 emissions through global projects, go to https://www.daikin.com/csr/forests
Changing the way we heat and cool our homes is a start at reducing our impact on the environment. And, choosing products from manufacturers that have strong environmental policies in place is important.