Panasonic new Etherea heat pump provides top class performance

Panasonic is pleased to announce that its new Etherea QKE heat pump range achieves an impressive SCOP of 4.80 -> A++ and SEER of 7.60 -> A++. This class-leading highly energy-efficient system provides healthy air quality, comfort and reliability for homeowners.

Etherea heat pumps offer outstanding seasonal efficiency to provide optimum heating and cooling all year round. Thanks to Panasonic’s innovative inverter system, the new QKE range delivers energy savings of up to 38%. With original Panasonic Inverter technology and a high performance compressor, this heat pump provides top-class operating efficiency.

While the Etherea XE-QKE (silver) is available in 2.2kW, 2.8kW, 3.2kW and 5.0kW, Panasonic offers the E-QKE (white) version in 8 models, ranging from 2.2kW to 8.0kW.

“Thanks to the Etherea’s combination of highly advanced technologies and sensors, we are pleased to confirm the latest models have achieved the grade A++, which makes this line up supremely efficient” explains Marc Diaz, UK Country Manager of Panasonic Heating and Cooling. “This unit can also run in extreme temperatures as -15 in heating mode and -10 in cooling mode.”

Panasonic offers a renewal solution for the Etherea QKE range which enables rapid conversion of existing R22 systems to new high efficiency R410A solutions at a dramatically reduced cost. This supports the ban of Virgin (new) R22 refrigerant which came into force by the European Community in January 2010. Panasonic’s solution uses existing refrigerant pipework to speed up installation and cut replacement costs by around 30 per cent.

One of the main features of a Panasonic Etherea heat pump is its Nanoe-G air-purifying and filtering system. Using nano-technology, fine e-ion particles are released by the system, which deactivate 99% of airborne bacteria and virus’ in the filter’s indoor unit to ensure the fast cleaning of the air. It also neutralises odours to provide a more pleasant and healthy environment.

Further improving the existing Etherea unit, Panasonic has enhanced its highly intelligent sensor, ECONAVI, by adding the new temperature wave and area search features.

The unique temperature wave is able to change the temperature in the room using a specific algorithm in order to reduce the consumption and to maintain comfort. This unique algorithm is patented by Panasonic. The Area Search feature directs airflow to the position of the person in the room. ECONAVI detects changes in human movements and reduces the waste of cooling unoccupied areas.

The energy consumption of the Etherea QKE system is displayed on the IntesisHome application. The Energy Consumption Display helps to improve the energy management of a home as it is able to illustrate weekly, monthly and yearly consumption details.

Via a cloud-based monitoring system, users now have a range of flexible and intelligent solutions to monitor their air conditioning or heat pump units. Customers can use a smart phone, any Android device or simply a PC with Internet access, to control their heat pump or air conditioning systems away from their homes at the touch of a button.

Internet control allows a wide variety of control functions, including Start/Stop; Mode Operation; Set Temperature and Room Temperature. It also allows the user to schedule heating and cooling cycles, and contains energy-saving functions through pre-set configurations. It also gives important maintenance reminders to the householder, including dirty air filter alerts, error alerts and contacts for Panasonic’s technical service network.