Scottish Family Installs UK’s First Panasonic M Series Heat Pump

Thurso. Scotland
2025
Aquarea Air to Water Heat Pump, Residential
Outdoor units: Panasonic Aquarea M Series T-Cap monobloc air-to-water heat pump
Indoor units:
Control: Panasonic Smart and Service Cloud controls
Challenge
Solutions & Tech Applied
A five-bedroom bungalow in Thurso, Scotland, is the first property in the UK to install the Panasonic Aquarea 9kW M Series heat pump. Homeowner and experienced installer, Ryan Pollard of RDI Renewables, replaced his outdated gas combi boiler to meet the high hot water demands of his family of five, while reducing the property’s carbon footprint.
The homeowner, Ryan Pollard of RDI Renewables is a heat pump installer himself and specified a Panasonic Aquarea 9 kW M Series T-Cap monobloc air-to-water heat pump with Panasonic Smart and Service Cloud controls. The unit has also been linked to a third-party Open Energy Monitor (OEM) system to help track the performance and efficiency of the heat pump. So far, the results are proving very positive with a recording of a weekly SCOP average of 4.85, demonstrating its efficiency.
As an experienced installer, Ryan has fitted Panasonic products for over 12 years and has seen how the technology has developed over this time. Embracing the changes when they come, he was looking for a highly energy efficient heating solution that would lower his home’s carbon footprint but was powerful enough to provide sufficient domestic hot water to suit his family of five.
Ryan commented, “When looking for the ideal heating solution, the key factors we were considering were capacity and power due to the property having five bathrooms. Our current boiler was unsuitable for our 300m2 property, and as a result there was inadequate domestic hot water available to service the needs of our family. The Panasonic Aquarea M Series air-to-water heat pump has an operating range down to -20ºC and can operate at temperatures as low as -28°C with its T-CAP technology. As an experienced heat pump installer, I know that no other heat pump currently on the market can achieve this. Moreover, the Panasonic units can heat the domestic hot water tank to 65ºC, without the support from an external source ie. direct electric. In a house of five that needs hot water frequently, the unit provides us with ample supply.”
The new Panasonic Aquarea M Series heat pump is ideal for large domestic properties such as this 300m2 house. The property has a 500litre domestic hot water tank, Ryan further added, “the Panasonic M Series has so far enabled domestic water heating up to 68ºC, which delivers a 20% increase on the usable capacity.”
Compact and stylish, the Panasonic unit integrates seamlessly with modern homes. Its Wi-Fi connectivity allows remote monitoring and troubleshooting via Panasonic’s cloud apps. The system also uses R290 refrigerant, offering a low Global Warming Potential (GWP) of just three.
Not only do the heat pumps perform efficiently, but they also feature a modern design. The outdoor units are available in Anthracite Grey, with the indoor units available in sleek Monochrome options. Bluefin coating prolongs the coil life expectancy of the outdoor, from saltwater exposure, which is a benefit for the homeowner’s coastal home.
“As an early adopter of Panasonic solutions, I have seen it develop over the past 12 years. As the demand for heat pumps has grown within the UK, I have seen how the support offered from Panasonic technical, and sales has developed. They now offer bespoke training courses to suit advanced installer needs, as well as regular accessible training centres throughout the UK. As a Panasonic Pro Partner, I have access to a portal for the documentation and software I need and am kept up to date with all the latest news and products, such as the new M Series,” added Ryan.
The Panasonic Aquarea M Series is currently available in 9-30kW Single or three phase and has been designed with a modular concept that allows for a variety of application choices, catering to different needs and property types. It provides four options in the line-up, Standalone Remote Controller, Control Module, Hydro Box and All in One indoor unit, providing tailored solutions for every user and property needs. The system utilises the natural refrigerant R290, known for its low Global Warming Potential (GWP) of just three, making it a more environmentally friendly choice.
To find out more about the Panasonic wide range of heating and cooling solutions please visit www.aircon.panasonic.eu or visit RDI Renewables website https://www.rdirenewables.co.uk/
For more information please watch: https://youtu.be/GwTBXXSr4Ds.
Key Tech Features
M Series monobloc air-to-water heat pump
R290
Capacity
9 kW