Unveiling our in-wall electric HVAC
Our energy-efficient HVAC technology seamlessly integrates into our walls, speeding up build timelines and giving homeowners room-by-room climate control
September 19, 2023
Electric HVAC systems are on the rise: Last year Americans purchased more electric units than gas-powered furnaces for the first time.
What’s behind the movement toward electric homes? Compared to their gas-powered counterparts, electric appliances have been proven to lower energy bills, be better for our health and produce less pollution. For environmental reasons, an increasing number of cities and states are passing regulations to phase out gas appliances altogether.
At Veev, we firmly believe electricity is the superior energy choice for homeowners and home developers.
That’s why every Veev home is built all-electric, including our stoves, water heaters and HVACs.
When selecting an HVAC system for our homes, our team searched for the most effective electric heating and cooling system that could be seamlessly integrated into our build process, enabling us to construct homes efficiently and provide superior climate control for our customers.
With the launch of our Single-Family Home product, we are excited to introduce our new in-wall electric HVAC units. Unlike traditional systems, these self-contained units use cutting-edge heat pump technology to provide efficient heating and cooling without the need for air ducts, refrigerant lines or outdoor units. Choosing this HVAC has significantly reduced our design and build times. At the same time, it enables us to offer homeowners a premium, energy-efficient product that provides room-by-room climate control.
Traditional HVACs vs. the Veev in-wall electric HVAC system: What’s the difference?
In American homes, central air HVACs are the most popular heating and cooling system. They work by circulating heat from a furnace and cool air from an air conditioning unit throughout the house using ductwork. Before electric systems started gaining more of the market, HVACs were traditionally fueled by natural gas or oil.
Consumers selecting electric heating and cooling options have many to choose from, including electric furnaces, heat pumps, radiant heating and mini splits. One of the most popular options is the ductless mini-split system, which comprises an outdoor compressor unit and multiple indoor, mounted air-handling units. At Veev, we previously opted for the mini-split system, largely because it didn’t require ductwork which involves a time-consuming planning for an installation process and requires mechanical engineers or HVAC contractors.
With our new in-wall electric HVAC system, also referred to as “all-in-one” units, we are taking innovation a step further.
Our system eliminates ducts and refrigerant lines, and combines outdoor and indoor units into a single unit that contains both heating and cooling components.
The technology works by drawing in air from the room and passing it over a cooling coil or heating element, depending on the desired temperature, before blowing it back into the room through a vent.
In-wall HVAC units standardize Veev home design to scale
Our in-wall HVAC units offer standardization and scalability that traditional systems can’t match. Because we’ve eliminated air ducts and refrigerant lines, we don’t need to use mechanical engineers to create detailed HVAC plans, and our design choices are no longer restricted. Using our digital twin technology, we can map out where we’d like to place an HVAC unit within each room with just a few clicks.
Unlike other heat pump systems that require structural changes or large grilles on the exterior, our in-wall electric HVAC units only require two small, six-inch holes on the outside wall for ventilation. Within our digital fabrication facility, we build small modules with these requirements into a closed wall panel in every room to leave space for the HVAC unit.
When it comes time for installation, the process is quick and simple and requires no specialized labor. All wiring has already been prepared on the manufacturing floor, making it easy for our on-site team to connect the electric HVAC units into the recessed modules in a matter of minutes.
A next-generation product that reduces environmental impact
In addition to making our home builds highly scalable and more efficient, building with our in-wall electric units reduces our environmental impact.
Gas-powered furnaces and water heaters emit nitrogen oxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming, and many cities and states have passed regulations to phase out these units. A typical U.S. home could cut its heating-related climate pollution by up to 72 percent by swapping out a gas-fired furnace for an efficient, all-electric heat pump, according to a study by researchers at the University of California-Davis.
By partnering with Veev, developers can stay ahead of electrification regulations in a way that’s cost-effective for their companies and better for their buyers.
Benefits for homeowners
Our system isn’t just helpful for developers, it offers a slew of benefits for homeowners:
Sleek aesthetic
Our self-contained units are recessed within our walls—no more clunky units taking up wall space.
Room-by-room climate control
Unlike central air systems, which result in temperature fluctuations throughout the house, Veev homes feature individual HVAC units in every room. This allows homeowners to control the climate of each room separately. No more hot upstairs bedroom or chilly downstairs living room.
Powered by the Veev Digital Home
Controlling the Veev HVAC system is easy using the Veev Digital Home, our home operating system that can be accessed via in-wall digital panels, the Veev app or Alexa. Homeowners can easily set and program temperatures according to their preferences, whether that means keeping the bedroom at a cool 68 degrees at night or warming up the bathroom to a cozy 75.
Lower operating costs
Homeowners can expect reduced costs given that our electric HVAC units are more efficient than a traditional gas-powered furnace. And being able to control temperature by room also helps—for example if a homeowner wants their bedroom cooled to 68 when they sleep, they don’t need to cool the rest of their house overnight to the same degree.
Reliable with easy maintenance
The in-wall units have gained a reputation among high-end hotels for being extremely reliable. Yet, if a repair is needed, it’s easy to service. Our team can simply open the magnetic High Performance Surface (HPS) material covering the unit and service it in minutes. Best of all, if one unit is out of commission, the rest of the system remains unaffected.
Built-in filters and exhaust for fresher air
Each unit comes with a MERV 13 filter—considered hospital-level air quality—that ensures air entering the home is clean and safe. Fresh air can be controlled and even turned off when outdoor air quality is low. For bathrooms and kitchens, an integrated exhaust system eliminates the need for other fans or ventilation systems.
Quiet and comfortable
Thanks to a whisper-quiet operation, homeowners will barely know a unit is running.The small external openings and solid insulation also mean very little outside noise can seep into the home. And advanced twin rotary inverter compressor within the unit assures the perfect temperature is reached quickly.
Innovative electric HVAC technology in every Veev home
Thanks to the wide-ranging advantages, more home developers and homeowners are opting for electric over gas appliances, including HVAC systems. At Veev, we’re proud to offer the best electric HVAC system on the market in every one of our Single-Family Homes—with no price premium thanks to our efficient build processes.
Our team is always working to improve our Single-Family Home product. To learn more about our innovative features as they roll out, sign up to receive community updates.
