San Francisco-based Merino Energy has launched the Merino Mono, a plug-and-play indoor heat pump that can be installed in less than an hour and costs a fixed price of $3,800 including installation.
The San Francisco-based climate hardware company has launched a plug-and-play indoor heat pump system for residential applications.
“When looking at the ease of device delivery and installation, the company’s flagship system, the Merino Mono is the first room heat pump that can be installed in less than an hour, requires no outdoor unit and comes at one transparent flat rate – $3,800, including hardware and professional installation,” said the company’s CEO. Mary-Ann Rau told it pv magazine.
“The plug-and-play system is designed to remove the friction that has kept efficient heating and cooling out of reach for tens of millions of households in apartments, condos, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), older homes and in urban areas that traditional systems have never been able to serve,” she continued.
The product, branded Merino Mono, can be installed in less than an hour using a ‘drill, plug and play’ approach requiring only standard tools and a conventional household socket, the manufacturer said.
The wall-mounted unit integrates all heating and cooling components into a single indoor unit, eliminating the need for a separate outdoor condenser. Unlike traditional split systems, which often require refrigerant piping, electrical upgrades and outdoor units, the Mono runs on a standard 120V outlet and uses a through-wall air exchange system, which reportedly avoids invasive retrofits and allows implementation in buildings with limited outdoor space or restrictive homeowners’ association (HOA) rules.
The Merino Mono delivers a heating and cooling capacity of 7,500 BTU/h and is designed for rooms 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 Seasonal Energy Efficiency Factor 2 (HSPF2) for heating for heating. Although these values are lower than those of some high-end split systems, they represent a conscious trade-off in favor of simplified installation and broader accessibility. The device operates within a temperature range of approximately −9 C to 46 C, making it well suited for temperate climates.
The new product comes with a 1-year warranty on hardware and up to 3 years on labor.
“The unit is designed to fit seamlessly into existing homes with minimal visual impact,” said Rau. “The paintable exterior vents can be matched to the building facade, while automatic louvers control airflow without the need for 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 control, options range from a simple remote control to the dedicated Merino app and even voice-activated, 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 to wearable devices such as the Oura Ring,” Rau added.
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