Following the introduction of Trianco’s Activair Indoor Heat Pump, PHPI caught up with Peter Beighton, Managing Director, from Trianco to find out more about the new range.
Q: What types of property has the new Activair R290 Indoor Heat Pump been designed for?
The Activair R290 Indoor Heat Pump has been developed specifically for homes where installing a conventional outdoor heat pump can be difficult, impractical or simply undesirable. There are many properties where external space is limited or where planning and aesthetic considerations make an outdoor unit problematic.
This makes the product particularly well suited to apartments, flats, terraced properties and homes with restricted outdoor access. It also provides a practical option for homeowners who want the benefits of a heat pump but would prefer not to have a visible unit mounted outside their property.
Q: Where do you envisage the unit being installed within a property?
One of the key advantages of the Activair R290 is that it is installed entirely indoors. Rather than requiring a separate outdoor unit, it connects to outside air through ducting, simplifying installation in many situations.
The wall-hung model features top-mounted inlet and outlet duct connections, while the floor-standing version offers additional flexibility with ducting arrangements. Importantly, the unit does not need to be positioned directly on an external wall. It can be installed within a cupboard or plant room, provided suitable ducting is routed to the outside.
We’ve designed the system to accommodate ducting runs of up to 10 metres, giving installers much greater freedom when deciding on the most practical location within the property.
Q: Can the Activair R290 also provide domestic hot water?
Absolutely. The system can be paired with a hot water cylinder, enabling it to provide both space heating and domestic hot water from a single renewable heating solution.
This makes it suitable as a complete home heating package and allows installers to offer homeowners an integrated system capable of meeting both heating and hot water requirements efficiently.
Q: Because the heat pump is located indoors, noise is likely to be a key consideration. How have you addressed this?
Noise performance was a major focus throughout the development process. To minimise sound levels, the unit incorporates a fully enclosed compressor design, which significantly reduces operational noise.
The Activair R290 achieves a sound pressure level of just 31dB(A) measured at one metre, making it exceptionally quiet in operation.
We also offer a range of noise attenuation accessories that can further reduce audible noise, ensuring the system is suitable for a wide variety of installation scenarios.
Q: What is the weight of the 3.2kW wall-hung model?
The 3.2kW wall-mounted Activair R290 weighs 73kg. Despite its robust construction and integrated components, we’ve worked hard to maintain a practical form factor that simplifies handling and installation.
Q: What control options are available to homeowners and installers?
Connectivity and ease of use are extremely important today, so all Trianco Activair High Temperature heat pumps can be controlled via a dedicated Smart App.
The app gives homeowners convenient access to their heating system, allowing them to monitor and adjust operation remotely. It also provides valuable information, including energy consumption data and system status information.
In addition, every unit incorporates a built-in SIM card, enabling secure remote monitoring by Trianco. This allows our technical team to assist installers with commissioning, identify and diagnose issues more quickly, and where necessary even make adjustments remotely on behalf of the installer or homeowner. This level of support can help reduce site visits and improve customer satisfaction.
Q: Are there any onboard diagnostic or safety features?
Yes, the Activair R290 includes a comprehensive range of diagnostic and safety features. Through the Smart App, users and installers can access power consumption data and system information codes, providing useful insight into the unit’s operation.
In addition, the integrated SIM connectivity enables remote diagnostics and support from Trianco’s technical specialists.
From a safety perspective, the unit incorporates both a gas separator and an R290 refrigerant leak detector. Should a refrigerant leak ever be detected, the system actively discharges the gas as part of its built-in safety strategy, providing additional reassurance for homeowners and installers alike.
Q: Can the Activair R290 be used for cooling as well as heating?
Yes, it can. When installed with compatible fan coil units rather than traditional radiators, the Activair R290 can provide cooling as well as heating.
Q: What do you see as the biggest benefit of an indoor heat pump solution?
The biggest advantage is flexibility. By eliminating the need for an outdoor unit, we’re opening up heat pump technology to a broader range of properties that may previously have been difficult to retrofit.
The Activair R290 combines renewable heating, hot water capability, smart controls, remote monitoring and optional cooling in one compact package. For installers, it creates new opportunities in properties where conventional heat pumps may not have been viable, while for homeowners it offers an efficient, discreet and future-ready heating solution.
Images: Trianco
