Our aim is to offer straight forward information about the best air source heat pump 2023 – for you to make the right decision for your home. This will ultimately depend on the size of your property and your family, as well as your motivations for changing your heating system.
Best air source heat pump – model types
There are several different types of unit and each one is suited to different property sizes and requirements. For example, in a property with underfloor heating or lower temperature radiators already installed, low temperature heat pumps are the better choice. But if you have an older property, a high temperature heat pump will be a better option. It will work much better with a traditional central heating system. High temperature heat pumps typically heat water to a similar temperature to gas boilers (around 75-80°C).
We can split the heat pumps into two further categories.
- Monobloc – consisting of one single outdoor unit which connects to the central heating system. Although quick and cheaper to install, they do not heat water. This means that you will need to install a hot water tank or cylinder as well. They are larger units which you should position for easy connection to an existing central heating system. There is no flexibility on where the unit can be located. Because they are larger, they are noisier than split units.
- Split – comprises one outdoor fan unit and one indoor hydro unit. One advantage of this type of system is that there is often a model with an integrated water tank or cylinder, and the outside unit is smaller and quieter than a monobloc unit. The indoor unit is connected to the heating system while the outdoor unit can be placed in any location on a property up to 75 metres away. This offers a lot of installation flexibility. But it does mean that the initial cost and installation is much more complicated and therefore, more expensive than a monobloc system. It also requires a certain amount of indoor space for the second unit.
Output
Something else to consider is how much output you will need to heat the property. Air source heat pumps are available in a range of different output sizes. The type and size of property determines what output is required to heat it. Put simply, the bigger the area to be heated, the larger output will be required. Typically, units can provide different levels of output – from as little as 2-3 kW up to 16 kW. Obviously, the higher the output, the larger the unit and cost.
Best air source heat pump – high temperature
Daikin Altherma 3H HT
The Daikin Altherma 3 H HT is a split system comprising an outdoor and indoor unit. There is a choice of indoor wall-mounted unit and separate hot water tank/cylinder, or an integrated floor mounted unit. The water temperature supplied is the same level as many gas boilers at 70°C and its energy efficiency rating is up to A+++ depending on the model chosen. The cost ranges from around £6,000-11,500 and it has a three year guarantee with an option to extend to five years.
Advantages:
- Easy to install and configure
- Suitable for traditional heating system i.e. doesn’t require new radiators, underfloor heating or extra insulation
- Has low sound mode
- Operates in temperatures as low as -28°C
- Refrigerant gas type R32, which has a low global warming potential if it leaks
Disadvantages:
- High initial cost
Best air source heat pump – low/medium temperature
Samsung Eco Heating System
The Samsung Eco Heating System offers the option of a TDM plus outdoor unit for both hot water and heating. This design is exclusive to Samsung and means you only need one unit, which will link to an existing heating system and hot water tank. If there isn’t a hot water tank already installed, there is an option called a ClimateHub indoor hydro unit. This has an integrated hot water tank to provide both hot water and heating.
There are a ranges of outputs available up to 16 kW and it has an energy rating of A+++. Costs can vary from as little as £2,200, up to around £9,000.
Advantages
- Good choice of models with varying outputs to suit different property sizes and requirements
- Some units use R32 refrigerant gas which has a low global warming potential if it leaks
- Lower initial cost
- Operates in temperatures as low as -25°C
- Solar compatible
Disadvantages:
- Some units use the R410A refrigerant, which is less environmentally friendly if it leaks
- Only includes low temperature heat pumps
- Not suitable for traditional central heating systems i.e. it needs underfloor heating and low temperature radiators
Best air source heat pump – most efficient
Hitachi Yutaki
These compact units offer a high level of efficiency. They have wireless remote control so that room temperatures can be set to the right level for maximum economy. The three models offer a range of outputs available up to 24 kW all have an energy rating of up to A+++. The cost of a Yutaki-M is from £4,000-7,000, but this can rise to up to £12,000, depending on the model required.
Advantages
- Compact and efficient
- Quiet
- Improved energy efficiency in cold weather via a smart defrost cycle
- All units operate in temperatures as low as -20°C
- Yutaki-M and Yutaki-S heat water to 60°C and the Yutaki-S80 high temperature heat pump to 80°C
- Environmentally friendly
- Offers savings over time
Disadvantages
- Yutaki-M models have a slightly lower output when compared to other brands
Best air source heat pump – good all rounder
Vaillant aroTHERM 400v
The Vaillant aroTHERM plus is a high temperature heat pump, with the choice of a mono or split unit, depending on whether just heating or heating plus hot water is required. It can be connected to an existing heating system and combined with an indoor Vaillant uniTOWER with an integrated hot water tank.
The aroTHERM split is a low temperature heat pump. This is, therefore, better suited to underfloor heating and low temperature radiators. It can be used to heat hot water but requires a separate tank or cylinder to be installed.
The noise level and energy efficiency rating will vary, depending on the output level of the model chosen. For guidance the 3-12 kW output is rated at A++. However if you install the unit with a VCR control unit and app (which means heat can be controlled in each room) this increases to A+++. With so many variables, it is difficult to weigh up the cost of installation, but typically this should fall within £3,000-9,000. There are guarantee options available for up to seven years.
Advantages
- Good choice of models to suit most requirements and property sizes
- Some units use R290 refrigerant gas which has a very low global warming potential if it leaks
- Flexible installation – units can be floor or wall mounted depending on available space
- Fairly quiet
- Operates in temperatures as low as -28°C
Disadvantages
- For maximum benefits you need to install the whole system, including the controller.
Best air source heat pump – lower cost option
LG Therma V
The LG THERMA V offers a range of high temperature and low temperature heat pumps and can be used together with the LG Smart ThinQ app to control the system.
There are a range of outputs available of up to 16 kW with an energy rating of up to A+++. The cost is typically from around £2,000-6,000.
Advantages
- Range of models with varying outputs to suit all requirements
- Some units use R32 refrigerant gas which has a low global warming potential if it leaks
- Lower initial cost
- Some units can operate in temperatures as low as -25°C
- High temperature option can heat water to 65°C
Disadvantages
- Hot water tank or cylinder required – no integrated units
- May need to replace existing radiators
Best air source heat pump – for smaller properties
NIBE F2040
The Scandinavian firm NIBE offers a range of five low temperature heat pumps, three of them for small to medium domestic properties. These are ideal for underfloor or radiator heating. Integrated smart technology controls an outdoor monobloc fan unit. The output is from 8- 16 kW, depending on the model. NIBE F2040 units are priced from £3,500-9000.
Advantages:
- Easy to install/maintain
- Very straightforward – simple to operate
- Silent function available
- Domestic units operate in temperatures as low as -20°C
- Compact
Disadvantages:
- High initial cost
- Some customers have complained about long callout times to resolve issues
Best air source heat pumps 2023 – in summary
In this article, we have looked at the best air source heat pumps 2023 to help you to make the right choice for your property. When making the final decision, however, there are number of factors to consider:
- The age and type of your property
- The size of your property – how many rooms?
- How many people live in your property
- How many bathrooms?
- How well your home retains heat – insulation
- Do you already have underfloor heating installed?
- Do you already have lower temperature radiators installed?
- How much space is available outside your property?
- Do you have a hot water tank or cylinder?
- Is your main goal to heat your home efficiently or to reduce your family’s carbon footprint?
- What type of fuel are you switching from
- Can you apply for government assistance with the initial cost?
It is important to understand that the initial cost will be affected by:
- What type of heat pump – air-to-air, or air-to-water
- Where it’s a monobloc or split system
- The size of output required
- Whether a hot water tank also needs to be installed
- Whether you need to make changes to your heating system e.g. installing underfloor heating
- The available space inside and outside your home
- Your budget
If you’re looking for more information about the financial commitment and potential savings of an air source heat pump, you can read more in our article how much does an air source heat pump cost. You can also read more about what the installation of your new system will involve in our air source heat pump installation guide. This article details the types of home improvements you may need to make before installing an air source heat pump on your property.