Mitsubishi Electric’s intelli-AIR is a ducted heat pump built to replace an aging system without redoing the piping and wiring already in your home. Dr. Ductless will install it starting January 2027, and early reservations are open now at (213) 916-0005.
Key takeaways
- Install date: Dr. Ductless plans to start intelli-AIR installs in January 2027.
- Retrofit: the existing refrigerant piping, 18-gauge low-voltage wire and thermostat wire can be reused.
- Sizes: standard models from 1 to 5 tons and h2i models from 1 to 4 tons.
- Sound: the outdoor unit has a Quiet mode capped at 55 dB(A) and a Very Quiet mode capped at 45 dB(A).
What intelli-AIR is
intelli-AIR is a ducted heat pump system. A new indoor RVZ air handler connects to a Mitsubishi Electric outdoor unit, and the whole line-up uses a single-fan outdoor cabinet.
- Standard models: 1 to 5 tons, 70% of heating capacity at 5°F, guaranteed to heat down to -13°F.
- h2i models: 1 to 4 tons, 100% of heating capacity at 5°F, guaranteed to heat down to -13°F.
- Certifications: ENERGY STAR Cold Climate and NEEP certified, except the 5-ton size.
- Zoning: the same indoor unit works in single-zone and multi-zone systems.
- Air handler sizes: small, mid and large.
The RVZ air handler pairs with four families of outdoor units, each in standard and h2i versions:
| Outdoor unit | Standard | h2i |
|---|---|---|
| RUZ | Yes | Yes |
| SUZ | Yes | Yes |
| MXZ (ported) | Yes | Yes |
| MXZ-SM | Yes | Yes |
Retrofit: what stays and what goes
The selling point of intelli-AIR is how much of your existing installation it can keep. That means a smaller job inside your walls, attic or crawlspace.
- Piping: the existing refrigerant piping can be reused. Only one pipe needs insulation.
- Connections: brazed or flare.
- Pipe size flexibility: the system supports a range of liquid and gas line sizes. Mitsubishi’s tentative data shows a very small drop in capacity with smaller piping and a gain with larger piping, with the gain roughly the same across h2i models.
- Larger gas pipe: when a larger gas line is used, a switch (SW8-1) on the outdoor unit circuit board has to be turned on.
- Low-voltage wire: the existing 18-gauge solid core wire can be reused. Only two wires are needed for indoor-to-outdoor communication.
- Thermostat wire: the wall controller can be wired with existing 18 AWG solid core wiring.
What is new: the RVZ air handler, the outdoor unit, and the control board in each (modified to accept low-voltage communication, with reinforced insulation on the outdoor board).
Wiring and power
The RVZ air handler is set up to be powered separately from the outdoor unit by default. There are two common setups.
| Pairing | Power | Wire between units |
|---|---|---|
| RUZ outdoor + RVZ | Separate 230V breaker for each unit | 18/2 low-voltage wire |
| SUZ or MXZ outdoor + RVZ | Air handler powered from the outdoor unit | 14/3 wire, terminal block included |
The RVZ-48 and RVZ-60 models cannot be powered from a SUZ, MXZ or branch box because of their current draw.
Because of the default setup, many retrofits need a new 230V circuit for the air handler. We check your electrical panel and the existing wiring during the estimate.
What is new inside the air handler
The RVZ is not a repainted air handler. Mitsubishi changed most of the working parts.
- Heat exchanger: a new coil with temperature sensors and an expansion valve (LEV) added to the indoor unit, active during cooling.
- Fan: a new casing designed for better airflow.
- Control board: separate power supply, reinforced insulation, low-voltage communication and upgraded control logic.
- Insulation: KFLEX and fiberglass, with a horizontal mounting bracket.
- Fan motor: a new motor.
- Filter: room for a 1-inch or 2-inch filter.
Heating and electric backup heat
The heat pump does the heating. Electric backup heat only helps when it is needed, and the new controls decide when.
| Setting | What it does | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Balance point | Outdoor temperature at which electric heat may turn on | 23-61°F (default 38°F) or 32-70°F (default 47°F), depending on the setting |
| Heat pump strategy | Keeps the heat pump on with electric heat, or turns it off below a cutout | Assist -27 to 52°F, lockout -36 to 43°F |
| Comfort or Efficiency preset | Comfort turns on aux heat sooner, Efficiency delays it to favor the heat pump | Two presets |
| Room temperature difference | Aux heat is requested only after the room falls below setpoint by this amount | 1-5°F (default 2°F) |
| Delay timer | Waits after a heat call begins before aux heat may start | 1, 5, 10, 15, 20 or 25 minutes |
| Automatic backup | Lets aux heat run during defrost, errors or a heat pump failure | Set separately for each |
| Controller request | Aux heat can be requested and displayed through the controller | SDW or Comfort App, MA controller |
The result: the heat pump stays on, and electric heat assists only when the outdoor temperature, room temperature difference and delay conditions are all met.
Humidity, sound and controls
DRY mode
A new algorithm changes the fan speed based on how far the room is from your setpoint. A new Extra Low fan speed lets the system stay on longer and pull more moisture from the air, so you can leave it in DRY mode through humid weeks. A temperature setpoint in DRY mode prevents overcooling: when the room is 0.9°F below setpoint, the system goes Thermo-OFF.
| Fan speed | Share of full speed | When it is used |
|---|---|---|
| High | 100% | Room far above setpoint |
| Middle | 85% | Room closer to setpoint |
| Low | 70% | Evaporator below 46.7°F or room above 80.6°F |
| Extra Low | 55% | Evaporator above 46.7°F and room below 80.6°F |
Silent mode
The outdoor unit has two sound levels and one scheduled setting per day: Quiet, capped at 55 dB(A), and Very Quiet, capped at 45 dB(A).
Controls
- PAC-SDW01RC-4 wall controller
- Comfort App with the WI3.0 Wi-Fi interface
- Thermostat interface, or the Comfort App with WI3.0 and the MHK2 thermostat
- Deluxe MA controller
Is it right for your home?
Reusing existing piping depends on its size, condition and cleanliness. Before we reuse anything, we check it. If a line set is not worth keeping, we replace it and you still get the rest of the system. We also check your ducts, your electrical panel and the location for the new air handler, then size the system to your home.
Buying a home with an older ducted system? Our sister company handles HVAC inspections in Los Angeles, so you can find out what shape the equipment and ducts are in before you plan a replacement.
Frequently asked questions
When can I get intelli-AIR?
Dr. Ductless plans to start installs in January 2027.
Do I need new ducts?
Not necessarily. We evaluate the size and condition of your existing ducts during the estimate.
Can I control it from my phone?
Yes. It works with the Comfort App and a Wi-Fi interface, and with a wall controller or a compatible thermostat.
How loud is it?
The outdoor unit has a Quiet mode capped at 55 dB(A) and a Very Quiet mode capped at 45 dB(A).
Will it keep my home dry?
DRY mode runs the fan at an Extra Low speed to remove more moisture, and it holds your setpoint so the room does not overcool.
Reserve your install slot
Call (213) 916-0005 or visit drductless.com to join the early install list. We will confirm your system size, check your existing piping and give you a written proposal ahead of the January start. Dr. Ductless Heating & Cooling, CSLB #1019804.
Call (213) 916-0005 Join the early install listintelli-AIR and Mitsubishi Electric are trademarks of their respective owners. Dr. Ductless is independently owned and operated. Specifications are preliminary manufacturer data and may change before release.
