Panasonic Heat Pumps In Brief:
Panasonic has taken a different approach to designing heat pumps for residential buildings with its Aquarea models. It has specially created two ranges: one for newly built homes: the K Series, and a different type for renovations and retrofits in existing buildings: the L Series. Both heat pump system types are based on the same design concepts but have differing applications.
Warranty: Panasonic offers 3 to 7 years of warranty for different heat pump models, which is longer than the average warranty offered by some of the other heat pump brands.
UK Grants available: one of the advantages of air-source heat pumps is that there are grants and subsidies available. These schemes, such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, can help homeowners reduce the costs of moving over to a heat pump by offering grants of up to £7,500. Consult your installer as to what grant funding may be available to you.
Panasonic Heat Pump Specifications
Panasonic Aquarea High-Performance Range of air to water heat pumps
The functionality of the heat pumps is based on previous designs from Panasonic, with improved features.
Efficiency – The two new K and L series display an excellent Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCOP) of up to 5.12, providing outstanding efficiency. They are reliable even at low temperatures.
Power options – The Aquarea series has several different power outputs, to match the local weather conditions and the home size. The K Series comes in 3.2, 5, 7, and 9 KW versions, while the L Series comes in 3, 5, 7, and 9 KW versions.
Colours – The indoor units are Premium White, so they match other household appliances and utilise a seamlessly integrated controller which provides a sleek black band across the unit. Stylishly, the outdoor units are finished in an Anthracite Grey colour which is different to other companies’ brands and will appeal to users who feel that visual appearance is important to the aesthetics of their home.
Size – The One model (monobloc units) maintain their compactness with a size of only 598 x 600 mm, comparable to other normal household appliances. There are also Split two-piece designs, with indoor and outdoor units, similar to other products on the market.
Environmental impact – .The L Series uses a natural refrigerant called R290 to reduce the environmental impact of the design, while the K Series utilises another environmentally friendly refrigerant called R32 to help generate the heat energy.
Noise levels – Quietness and fan efficiency are central to these models. The new Aquarea K and L generations benefit from a reduced sound level, up to 8dB(A) lower than previous models. This facilitates a more flexible installation with greater placement possibilities.
Insulation – The units offer advanced insulation to ensure that the heat is not dissipated and is delivered to where it is needed in the household.
Smart connectivity – Both in the Panasonic heat pump series have a smart control system that can be operated from mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, with information uploaded to the cloud for remote diagnostics by expert technicians. These have options for the units to be connected to solar panels and also are “smart grid ready”, so they can be connected to larger local distributed energy networks if these are available.
K Series Heat Pumps at a glance
- Ideal solution for new build applications
- Uses R32 refrigerant
- Retains refrigerant connection between indoor and outdoor units
- Provides water outlet temperatures of up to 60°C down to -10°C
- Available in High Performance and T-CAP ranges for extreme cold conditions
- Offers an enhanced design with a new indoor unit built to perfectly complement the home decor, plus a stylish architecturally sympathetic outdoor unit in Anthracite Grey
- Seamless connectivity integration, with the ability to integrate a Wi-Fi module into the indoor unit
L Series Heat Pumps at a glance
- The best range for retrofit applications, when renovating a home with existing radiators
- Utilises natural refrigerant R290
- Offers a hydraulic connection between the indoor and outdoor unit
- Provides water outlet temperatures of up to 75°C down to -10°C
- Circulates domestic hot water up to 65°C without a heater for tank sterilisation
- Offers an enhanced design with a new indoor unit built to perfectly complement the home decor, plus a stylish architecturally sympathetic outdoor unit in Anthracite Grey
- Seamless connectivity integration, with the ability to integrate a Wi-Fi module into the indoor unit
Panasonic Heat Pump Technical specifications:
| 1. Efficiency | |
| Space Heating efficiency | Up to 5.33 COP |
| Energy efficiency class at 35 °C | A+++ |
| DHW COP | Up to 3.30 (for 3 and 5 kW models) |
| 2. More flexibility in design | |
| Water temperature | 60 °C |
| Piping length improved | 7/9 kW: 50/30 m (up to 40 m without minimum floor area with a 5 % decrease of the capacity) – 3/5 kW: 25/20 m. |
| Chiller function | Cooling down to 10 °C outdoor temperature |
| 3. New smart functions | |
| Smart grid ready | For heating, cooling and DHW modes |
| Remote control via mobile platform | Utility remote bivalent control |
| 4. Generation K | |
| Minimum outdoor temperature | -25°C |
| Maximum supply temperature for heating | 60°C |
| 5. Generation L | |
| Minimum outdoor temperature | -25°C |
| Maximum supply temperature for heating | 75°C |
Panasonic Heat Pumps Pros and Cons
There are a number of advantages and disadvantages of using Panasonic heat pump technology…
| Heat Pump Pros | Heat Pump Cons |
| Stylish design including Anthracite outdoor options | Installation and maintenance can have issues in older homes or confined spaces |
| High efficiency with high COP values often >5.0 | Repairing heat pumps could be more difficult than gas boilers. |
| Advanced Panasonic features including connectivity, smart management systems and Smart Cloud. | Require more electricity to operate in colder months |
| Environmentally friendly due to use of low Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants | Need sufficient indoor and outdoor space |
| Considered a very reliable brand | The high initial cost as heat pumps are more expensive than conventional boilers |
| Good warranty length – extendable to up to 5 or 7 years | May require home modifications, including larger radiators |
Panasonic Company Overview:
Panasonic is one of Japan’s most recognised brand names. It dates back to 1918 when it was founded as a company in the then-new sector of household electrical goods. Since then it has expanded globally and horizontally into many markets and has a record of innovation. It introduced its first heat pump in Japan in 1973, so it has been creating products in this sector for a long time.
Panasonic UK was established in 1972. Since then the company has grown substantially and become a leading supplier of consumer and business-related electronics products. Its headquarters are located in Bracknell, Berkshire. The company currently employs more than 400 staff.
Panasonic Heat Pump Cons FAQs
Are heat pumps better than a new boiler?
A: According to a report by the Carbon Trust, heat pumps are a highly efficient form of electric heating drawing heat from ambient air that has the potential to deliver CO2 savings of 60-70% compared to conventional electric heating and 55-65% compared to an A-rated gas boiler.
Do Panasonic heat pumps work in the winter?
A: Panasonic heat pumps, like most air source heat pumps, do still work well in cold UK winters, so there is no need to be concerned about this. Your air source heat pump system will naturally require more electricity to operate during colder periods and meet increased demand also at a time when ambient temperatures are much lower.
Can Panasonic heat pumps be used with existing radiators?
A: The L range is specifically designed for retrofitting into existing heating systems, so they are ideal for replacing existing fossil fuel heating system like oil or gas boilers and can even act as an air conditioning system to providing cooling.
What grants are available to offset the cost of a Panasonic heat pump?
A: There are various incentives and grants available from government-backed schemes, including the Boiler Upgrade Scheme providing grants of up to £7,500, so check with your installer to find out what funding may be available to you for a Panasonic heat pump.
Panasonic Heat Pump Summary
Panasonic has an enviable track record for innovation and reliability. Their eat pump models will suit all kinds of residences and will be a good option for properties looking to meet their heat and hot water demand.
Notably, Panasonic have split their heat pump range into two types, the K Series for newly built homes, and the L Series which is specifically designed to be retrofitted into existing houses, which is a strong selling point for this range of heat pumps.
Pricing is comparable with similar models on the market, and while Panasonic are not the cheapest by any means, they are certainly not the most expensive heat pumps either.
The warranty is better than many competitors, and the units are generally quiet during use. Overall Panasonic are a fine heat pump product, and definitely to be on the short-list, especially for adding to existing homes looking to overhaul their heating and domestic hot water systems.
