John Kellett, Panasonic Heating & Cooling Solutions Country Manager for UK and Ireland provides an insight into the heat pump market and the company’s Aquarea heat pumps.
Q. How do you view the uptake of Heat Pumps in the UK?
The latest advances in heat pump technology are proving more energy efficient compared to other forms of heating. In cases, Panasonic’s wide range of energy efficient solutions are performing better than condensing gas boilers and significantly lowering a building’s carbon output.
Aquarea heat pumps can save up to 80% of carbon compared to a boiler for the same amount of energy delivered. These carbon-savings and environmental developments are especially noticeable in projects where systems are integrated with advanced smart controls.
This combination delivers significant benefits not only in residential homes but also in various applications, including schools, offices, leisure centres, industrial and large residential buildings.
Q. What are the key features of the Aquarea Heat Pump from Panasonic?
Panasonic’s Aquarea heat pumps consistently incorporate the newest technologies in order to deliver the most efficient and high-performance heating systems. The units utilise ambient air heat to maximise energy savings and reduce consumption, as over 80% of heat energy required can be taken from the ambient air. Using the latest natural refrigerant R290, Panasonic’s Aquarea heat pumps meet and surpass the latest building regulation requirements, contributing to a more environmentally friendly housing stock.
The latest Aquarea heat pump from Panasonic’s heat pump fleet is the M Series range, designed with a modular concept that allows for a variety of application choices, catering to different needs and property types. Panasonic’s T-CAP technology that is featured in some of the range opens the doors for more application opportunities, as the system can be integrated alongside existing radiators with a high-water flow temperature of up to 75°C. Additionally, the hydraulic connection between outdoor and indoor M Series 9, 12 and 16kW units (Hydro Box & All In One) simplifies installation, eliminating the need for F-gas certification.
Panasonic’s range of Aquarea heat pumps are designed to offer comprehensive support for both installers and homeowners through advanced control and monitoring applications. The Aquarea Smart Cloud allows remote operation and operational statistics for homeowners, Service Cloud provides remote monitoring of the system for installers.
This capability significantly reduces the time and cost associated with on-site visits, as issues can be identified and addressed remotely. By streamlining maintenance and troubleshooting, these apps enhance the overall efficiency and convenience of managing Aquarea heat pump systems.
Q. Can Aquarea be used in a wide range of situations – domestic dwellings, light commercial buildings etc…
To address the growing demand for replacing fossil fuelled boilers across various building types, Panasonic has expanded their portfolio of energy-efficient heating and cooling technologies.
Its latest range of Aquarea air-to-water heat pumps is ideal for a wide range of residential and commercial applications such as homes, schools, colleges, leisure centres, residential multi-occupancy and industrial buildings.
The new ranges offer improved energy performance, providing higher water output temperature and can be connected to existing heating distribution systems such as radiators, utilising the more natural R290 refrigerant. R290 has a GWP of only three, taking greater steps towards meeting environmental concerns.
Q. What kind of controls are available?
A range of smart cloud controls are available with the Panasonic Aquarea range, allowing end users to easily track and monitor their energy usage to optimise running costs and efficiency. Additionally, installers can be granted permission to remotely monitor and service Panasonic Aquarea heat pumps, streamlining the monitoring process for both homeowners and installers.
Through the Aquarea Smart Cloud app, installers can remotely monitor and fault diagnosis any issues, which in many cases eliminates the need for a physical visit, saving time and reducing costs. These integrated Panasonic smart controls not only enhance the convenience for both parties but also contribute to a more sustainable and cost-effective way of managing heating systems.
Q. Does Panasonic offer installer training and what further support is available?
With the emergence of new technologies, a crucial aspect to ensure the heat pump is installed and works correctly and at its best performance is the collaboration between manufacturers, property developers, suppliers, and specifiers. The rapid integration of alternative heating solutions has elevated the role of engineers, making education, training, and upskilling vital. These sustainable solutions require careful handling, installation, and maintenance to ensure system operation runs safely and smoothly. Continuous training is also necessary to equip engineers with the expertise needed for this transition.
Panasonic is committed to supporting engineers through comprehensive training programs, both online and hands-on, and has expanded its training centres across the UK to help engineers adapt to new, environmentally friendly alternatives.
The most recent UK training centre was opened in Cardiff in December 2024, hosting its first A2W training session for installers in early 2025. These training centres offer the opportunity for installers to get vital hands-on experience with Panasonic’s extensive heating and cooling range, delivering the necessary training and information installers require when making this transition to sustainable systems.
Q. What kind of maintenance and servicing is required?
All heat pumps must be serviced annually to ensure their smooth running. Panasonic offers a comprehensive, three-tier service package called Aquarea Service+ for their Aquarea heat pumps.
The Service+ package delivers support and maintenance to all Panasonic Aquarea heat pumps installed into UK homes, to bring peace of mind and reliable all-round comfort. These services are designed to protect the heat pump and ensure reliable efficient operation and longevity.
Offering three plans to choose from, Aquarea Comfort, Smart and Premium, this package includes remote monitoring and around-the-clock supervision and assistance, with support responses within 24 hours either remotely or on-site. The Service+ team performs daily checks to monitor for any abnormal parameters in the heat pump’s system. Customised reports are available, containing advice and tips to improve performance and efficiency. Additionally, all service packages include an annual on-site maintenance visit by Panasonic Service+ technicians.
Q. What level of warranty comes with the Heat Pump?
Panasonic can provide a seven-year warranty with their Aquarea Heat Pump system. As one of the longest warranties offered within the heating and cooling sector, Panasonic also promise a streamlined approval programme. Panasonic PRO Partners simply opt for an extended warranty when installing an Aquarea system. Following commission of the install, the warranty extension can be submitted online for relevant checks and approval to proceed quickly and efficiently.
