Description

The MHK20PB is an electric heat kit from MRCOOL stocked by Buy Comfort Direct — full listing: MRCOOL Heat Kit – MHK20PB. This page covers what it is, where it fits in a system, what to check before you order, and how it ships.

About the MHK20PB

Where the MHK20PB fits

An electric heat kit is the resistance-heat element that slides into an air handler to provide backup heat for a heat pump, emergency heat, or primary heat in a straight-cool system. The MHK20PB is rated in kilowatts; the right size depends on the home’s heat loss, the climate, the heat pump’s capacity at low outdoor temperatures and the electrical service available. Kits are sold separately from the air handler and must be a model the air handler is listed to accept.

Heat kits are staged in some air handlers so only part of the element energizes on a mild day, which keeps electric bills down; a thermostat with auxiliary and emergency heat terminals lets the system use the kit only when the heat pump cannot keep up. Oversizing the kit raises the electrical service requirement without adding comfort.

Background reading: the U.S. Department of Energy heat pump guide.

What to check before you order

• Air handler compatibility: the kit must be listed for your air handler model and cabinet size.
• Kilowatt rating against the home’s heating load and the heat pump’s balance point.
• Breaker size and wire gauge from the kit data plate — larger kits need two circuits.
• Built-in circuit breaker versus terminal-block versions, as required by local code.

Installation and service notes

Power off at the panel, slide the kit into the air handler’s heater slot, land the field wiring on the kit’s lugs or breakers at the torque the label specifies, and set the air handler’s dip switches or jumper for the installed kilowatts. Confirm the blower runs on any heat call before closing up; a heat kit without airflow trips its limits or worse.

Why buy the MHK20PB from Buy Comfort Direct

We are a stocking HVAC distributor based in Winder, Georgia — not a marketplace reseller. Orders over $99 ship free, and financing is available at checkout through Affirm. If you are not sure this is the right part, call (877) 843-4822 before you order and we will match it to your equipment. Browse the rest of our Heat Kits, and see what customers say on our reviews page.

Ordering and delivery

In-stock items ship from our Winder, Georgia warehouse. Orders over $99 ship free; large equipment travels by freight carrier and parts by ground, and you will get tracking by email when it leaves. Need it matched to a system, or need a quantity that is not on the shelf? Use the contact page or call (877) 843-4822 and we will confirm availability before you pay.

MHK20PB FAQ

What size heat kit do I need?

Most homes in the Southeast use 5–10 kW as heat-pump backup; cold climates or straight-cool systems need more. Send us the air handler model and square footage and we will size it.

Does the MHK20PB ship free?

Yes on orders over $99 — most orders that include it qualify. Large equipment ships by freight carrier; parts ship by ground.

How do I know it matches my equipment?

Send us your equipment model number through our contact page or call (877) 843-4822. We check the pairing before it ships.