Quilt launches three-zone heat pump for demanding climates

Smart home startup Quilt introduced a three-zone heat pump on Tuesday. The new product is designed to make large installations simpler and cheaper while minimizing the footprint outside the home. According to Quilt, the product is the most efficient three-zone mini-split—a type of ductless heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system—on the market, maintaining efficiency even in demanding conditions.

To develop the system, Quilt addressed a common industry challenge: compressor instability at low speeds. Like all heat pumps, multi-zone units work best at variable speeds, but compressors become harder to control when running slowly. Matthew Knoll, co-founder and CTO at Quilt, compared the challenge to driving a car, noting that maintaining an even 70 mph is easier than a steady 11 mph, making low-speed operation more difficult. While traditional systems often stop the compressor to compensate—sacrificing efficiency—Quilt optimized its system using real-world data.

The startup analyzed data from a thousand units already installed in homes and businesses. Knoll explained that traditional systems are typically tested in labs under limited scenarios due to high costs, which often results in average products. “We have a thousand units out there in many different climates, and if we see something, we can look at it across a bunch of different units to understand if there’s room to optimize or if we’re seeing a problem in a corner case,” said Knoll.

This data-centric approach previously allowed Quilt to ship an over-the-air (OTA) update in September that unlocked 20% additional capacity. For the new three-zone unit, which connects one outdoor unit to three indoor heads (the indoor components of the system), the design allows it to deliver nearly 90% of its rated capacity of 27,000 BTUs (British Thermal Units, a measure of heat energy) at temperatures as low as -13˚ F (-25˚ C). To save power, each indoor head can be controlled individually, supplying as little as 2,210 BTUs of heat or 1,570 BTUs of cooling. When heating or cooling is not active, the outdoor unit’s low-speed performance limits the heat released to around 300 BTUs in heating mode.

The launch follows a $20 million Series B funding round aimed at expanding sales. Looking forward, Quilt plans to continue expanding its product line. Knoll stated that the company aims to provide a solution for all homes, indicating that future product development will likely continue to rely on its growing pool of real-world data.

Why it matters

Quilt’s new three-zone heat pump addresses the industry-wide challenge of compressor instability at low speeds by leveraging data from its existing installed base to optimize performance. This data-driven approach demonstrates how connected hardware can bypass traditional lab-testing limitations to improve efficiency in extreme climates.