Panasonic Launches Raft of New Innovations at InstallerSHOW 2023

Panasonic Launches Raft of New Innovations at InstallerSHOW 2023

Panasonic today unveiled a raft of innovations at a press conference on the opening day of the Installer Show 2023 – 27-29^th June 2023.  The Panasonic team shared the company’s vision of creating technologies for a low-carbon society and its strategies to help the UK in its aim to decarbonise heating.  At the show, Panasonic unveiled the Aquarea K and L ranges of air-to-water heat pumps in addition to its new R290 Reversible Heat Pumps – all available to view on the Panasonic Stand (D20).  

Panasonic’s Sustainable Vision

Enrique Vilamitjana, Managing Director of Panasonic Heating & Cooling Solutions Europe, set out the company’s strategy to deliver sustainable heating & cooling solutions with outstanding performance, and aligning with the UK’s net zero targets as well as Panasonic’s own vision of a carbon-free society highlighting its GREEN IMPACT plan.  In particular, Panasonic is committed to achieving a reduction of 300Mt of CO₂ emissions by 2050, equivalent to 1% of total global emissions.  

Enrique further highlighted Panasonic’s significant investment programme in its R&D manufacturing sites across Europe to 2025, with two new factories in France and Italy, which will be deployed for its new R290 Reversible Heat Pump range (ECOi-W AQUA-G BLUE). This new highly efficient solution is ideal for large commercial, industrial or multi dwelling residential applications. By utilising R290, a natural refrigerant with a very low Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 3 and will be available in the UK market in November 2023.

New Innovations

On the Panasonic Stand, D20, visitors could see the very latest additions to the wide portfolio of heating, cooling and ventilation solutions, including the new Aquarea K and L Generation heat pumps, in keeping with the company’s vision of creating technologies for a low-carbon society.  

Panasonic understands the issues installers face such as complexities in retrofitting existing properties to achieve optimal performance, the need for a range of unit sizes to suit the UK’s existing housing stock – and, historically, the time it takes to install a single heat pump.  With a wide choice in sizes, options and configurations, the new Aquarea K and L Generations solve many these issues.  As Jose Alves, Panasonic’s Regional Director for UK, Ireland and the Netherlands explained, “We are excited with the positive feedback we have received so far from a wide range of industry professionals about our new range of low-carbon heating and cooling solutions. We are all eager to see how future projects evolve, as we start to roll out these incredible new sustainable and energy efficient products across the UK and key to achieving the UK Government net zero targets of 2050.”

Aquarea K and L Generation: Award-winning Heat Pumps

Panasonic’s Aquarea K and L Generation heat pumps have been awarded three prestigious accolades:  in the 2022 Good Design Awards, as well as recognising the performance efficiencies of the units, the judges commended the K and L Generation outdoor unit’s design which blends into the landscape and contributes to the improvement of the surrounding environment. Moreover, the units were also awarded the iF Design Award and The Red Dot Award, both highlighting the outstanding design of the heat pumps, aesthetically as well as functionally. 

The Aquarea K Generation utilises R32 refrigeration, which recently gained a ‘BEST 100 Design Award 2022’ and is an excellent solution for new and retrofit homes. Meanwhile, the Aquarea L Generation uses the natural refrigerant R290, which has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of only 3 and ideal for retrofit projects. The redesigned construction of the outdoor units for both Generations provides a high level of safety, as the unit is hermetically sealed for easy and flexible installation. Furthermore, the K Generation retains a refrigerant link between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit, while the L Generation features a hydraulic link.

Both the Aquarea K and L Generations come in a space-saving and convenient All-in-One format (similar footprint to a standard UK kitchen appliance), as well as a Bi-bloc solution and benefit from a reduced noise level, up to -8dB(A) less than previous models, offering more placement possibilities.

The Aquarea L Generation heat pumps with its Hydro Split All in One High Performance unit is now available across Europe in capacities from 5kW to 9kW. This new All in One R290 unit has a hydraulic connection between the indoor and outdoor unit, providing water outlet temperatures of up to 75°C down to -10°C. These units are ideal for retrofit applications, with a hydraulic (water) connection between the indoor and outdoor unit and only the power supply cable needing to be routed to the outdoor unit. Additionally, all sensors and external devices are connected to the indoor unit. This configuration ensures that the units are much easier and quicker to install, saving valuable time and therefore costs.

Smart & Simple to Use Controls

A variety of control options are available and were displayed on the stand.  A new remote control offers smart control for total comfort.  Its intelligent connection and optimised user interface allow both on-site and remote control of the system. It is also possible to connect the Aquarea system to the Wiser Smart Cloud system, to provide room by room remote monitoring, management, and control for a complete smart home energy management system.

Addressing the skills shortage with comprehensive training programme

A key issue in achieving net zero targets is the shortage of trained installers across the industry, with 50,000 qualified installers required by 2030 to meet such targets. Panasonic has therefore invested heavily in three new fully kitted out training facilities across the UK, a mobile unit to provide on-site training, fitted with working models for hands-on experience – and offers a comprehensive training programme throughout the year.  Panasonic has also forged strategic partnerships with 15 Approved Learning Centres to provide countrywide access to this accredited training.

Panasonic has also launched an incentive scheme to encourage installers to upskill to fit air source heat pumps. The Panasonic ‘Train to Gain’ scheme provides installers £500 in rewards (limited to one per company) on completion of the Level 3 accredited heat pump training following their first Panasonic installation[1]. The new Panasonic scheme will run from 1st April 2023 to 31st December 2023.

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[1] Terms & Conditions apply.