Second Stage Heat / Virtual Dual Fuel / Integrated Controls

Flair Puck Pro

Flair introduces Puck Pro, the integrated control that seamlessly connects mini splits and central heating system to provide efficient heating all winter long!

Mini splits become less efficient as outside temperatures get close to freezing (typically below 30–40ºF) - but central systems work more efficiently at these very low temperatures.

Puck Pro will leverage the efficiency of your heating systems by intelligently switching between them when the outside temperature drops.

How does it work?

Flair uses outdoor temperature data to automatically determine which system to use. This allows Flair to use mini splits for first-stage heat, and a central system for second-stage heat. The switch-over and switch-back temperatures are user-configurable.

Flair uses WiFi to communicate with the smart thermostat and IR signals to communicate with the mini splits.

Does Puck Pro qualify for rebates?

Yes! If you live in the Northeast, you can qualify for some awesome rebates using the Puck Pro with a new mini split system. Puck Pro is only available through qualified HVAC contractors and to qualify for rebates, Puck Pro must be professionally installed, so ask your HVAC contractor about Puck Pro.

Contact us to get connected to a qualified HVAC professional near you. Rebates are generally for customers using mini splits with electric resistance heat or mini splits with oil or LP burning boilers.

How will I save?

In addition to being very efficient, mini splits are electric. Unlike traditionally-fueled furnaces and boilers, mini split heat pumps can heat a home without burning oil/propane/natural gas. They are a carbon-free solution to heating. This saves you money while helping our environment.

Secondary heating with Flair Puck Pro allows Flair to provide a decarbonization and electrification solution, which qualifies users for some fantastic rebates in certain regions. Flair provides a zero-carbon heating solution for most heating needs, while also being able to switch to traditional heating for the coldest days.For more information on rebates, visit flair.co/integrated-controls to learn more.

What else does Puck Pro offer?

Mini split automation via Flair app
Room-by-room temperature control of mini splits
Home/away mode
Scheduling

System Requirements

To qualify for rebates, Puck Pros must be installed professionally. The following requirements are for the Flair secondary heat feature:

A Pro Edition Puck for each mini split head unit. These are available via supply houses and distributors listed on flair.co/integrated-controls.
A smart thermostat must be integrated in the Flair App. The list of compatible smart thermostats is available at flair.co/integrated-controls
At least one mini split heat pump configured on the Flair App that is capable of heating.

Configure Flair App Settings

The following Flair settings are required for Secondary Heat

Set Point Controller: Flair App
Away Mode: Smart Away
Mode: Heat
Zones

Set Point Controller

Tap the Flair Menu
Then go to Home Settings->System Settings
Set "Set Point Controller" to "Flair App"

Away Mode

Tap the Flair Menu
Then go to Home Settings->Away Settings
Set "Away Mode" to "Smart Away"
Select Smart Away bounds (Minimum room temperature when heating and Maximum room temperature when cooling)

Mode

In the Control Bar, set "Mode" to "Heat":

Zones

Each room with a mini split must belong to two zones: the thermostat's zone and the mini split's zone.

For each room with a mini split do the following:

Tap the room
Tap the 3-dot menu on the room tile
Then go to Settings->Room Info
Check the mini split's zone box and the thermostat's zone box

Configure Second Stage Heat Settings

After completing Flair Setup, configure Secondary Heat settings.

Navigate to Secondary Heat Settings
Select Secondary Heat Option
Set Balance Point
Set Primary Heat Cutoff Delay

Navigate to Secondary Heat Settings

Tap the Flair Menu
Then go to Home Settings->Thermostats
Tap the down arrow to expand the thermostat
Tap Use as "Secondary Heat Setting"
If you don't see "Secondary Heat Setting", check Required Flair App Settings

Select Secondary Heat Option

Disabled: Flair will not provide staged heating
Supplemental Heat: Flair will run primary heat and turn on secondary heat at the enable temperature and turn off secondary heat at the disable temperature
Cutover: Flair will run primary heat and switch to secondary heat at the cutover temperature and switch back to primary heat at the cutback temperature

Set Balance Point

Set the "Cutover Temperature" or the "Enable Supplemental Heat Temperature" to the balance point for the mini split.
Set the "Cutback Temperature" or the "Disable Supplemental Heat Temperature" 5F higher.

Set Primary Heat Cutoff Delay

When using "Cutover", this setting allows the mini splits to continue to run for a period of time while the secondary heat source warms up. Values range from zero to twenty minutes. A value of zero means that mini splits will turn off immediately when cutting over to the secondary heat source. A value greater than zero means that mini splits will continue to run for that amount of time after switching over to the secondary heat source.

To test secondary heat, you'll adjust the set point and the secondary heat settings in relation to the current outside temperature. Once testing is completed, you can change the settings back to their appropriate efficiency values.

Important Considerations

Flair may take up to 5 minutes to relay commands to mini splits and smart thermostats
It’s recommended to perform tests at least 15 minutes apart to allow time for primary and secondary heat systems to warm up and cool down
Keep in mind, that If the room is already up to temperature, heat sources may not come on right away

Prior to Testing

Follow the steps below to create an initial state for testing. If you encounter any unexpected behavior, return to this state and restart testing.

Set the smart thermostat to OFF
Turn ON the mini splits using their respective remote controls. Then place the remotes permanently in a drawer or room where their signals can’t interfere with Flair
In the Flair app Control Bar, tap the thermometer and use the slider to adjust the “Home Set Point” 5F higher than the current room temperature - it may need to be higher to get mini splits to cycle on
Wait the for mini splits to cycle on before proceeding

Testing Cutover/Add Supplemental Heat

In the Flair app, tap the Flair menu, then go to Home Settings->Thermostats and expand the thermostat
Adjust the “Cutover Temperature” or the “Enable Supplemental Heat Temperature” so it’s 3F above the current outside temperature (Flair displays outside temperature in the control bar)
Then change the “Cutback Temperature” or the “Disable Supplemental Heat Temperature” to 5F above the "Cutover Temperature" or the "Enable Supplemental Heat Temperature", respectively
This will prompt Flair to send an ON command to the smart thermostat. the system to warm up and come on. If Cutover is enabled, Flair will send an OFF command to the mini splits. Allow time for Flair to send the commands (up to 5 minutes). Allow mini splits time to cycle off. You may need to set the home set point higher for the secondary heat system to come on.

Testing Cutback

Adjust the “Cutover Temperature” or the “Enable Supplemental Heat Temperature” so it’s 3F below the current outside temperature.
This will prompt Flair to send an OFF command to the smart thermostat. If Cutover is enabled, Flair will send an ON command to the mini splits. Again, allow time for Flair to send the commands and for the systems to adjust to being turned off and on.

After Testing

When you've verified secondary heat functionality, set the set point and secondary heat settings to their appropriate efficiency values.

Troubleshooting

If you experience unexpected results during testing, disable the “Use as Secondary Heat” setting and wait 15 minutes. Then re-enable the “Use as Secondary Heat” setting and return to the "Prior to Testing" section to create the initial state and run through tests again.

Note: if the room is up to temperature, the primary and secondary heat sources may not come on right away. Adjust the home set point higher.

Please contact pros@flair.co if you have any questions during testing.