A 3D-printed "doohickey" became part of one Chicago resident's cold-weather heating setup, helping a portable heat pump keep their bedroom warm as temperatures plunged.
Here's what to know
With temperatures outside at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, the resident documented an EcoFlow Wave 3 operating in heat-pump mode in a Reddit post.
(Click here to view footage if embed does not appear.)
"This is about as cold of a temperature as it likes operating in, though I do have mine slightly modified with a 3D printing dohickey to pull in warm air for even lower temperatures," they explained.
That stoked some curiosity among other Redditors, with one person writing, "Show us the doohicky!"
Another added, "Nice lookin' doohicky! What's it do…hickey?"
"It allows warm air from indoors to mix with cold air from outdoors," the poster explained. "It helps it operate more efficiently at low temperatures by drawing less vacuum into the room. I've had it operate down to 10 degrees with this adapter."
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What can be done?
The doohickey's design appears on MakerWorld as a Wave 3/2 window kit and cold-climate adapter. The poster answered the request with a photo and a downloadable 3D-printing model.
For households considering a larger heating-and-cooling investment, Palmetto's Comfort Plan offers $0-down options that could lower heating and cooling costs by up to 50%. Palmetto Comfort Plans also include 12 years of free maintenance.
Pairing an efficient electric HVAC system with solar panels can further help manage utility spending and make a home more self-reliant. Homeowners considering that combination can use EasyHome's solar shopping tool to compare installation offers and get the best deal available.
Where can I learn more?
For homeowners weighing a whole-home heat pump, cold-weather performance is a practical concern.
• In Maine, homeowners say cold-climate mini-splits handle subzero winters without backup heating.
• Homeowners questioned a technician's decision to reset a heat pump to 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Homeowners replacing a 50-year-old electric furnace heard that heat pumps still win in deep cold.
• An Idaho homeowner said their heat pump hasn't needed backup heat in two years.
• An Illinois homeowner's heat pump quote was $3,500 higher than a dual-fuel option.
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