Irish homeowner saves on heating bills with Panasonic L Series heat pump

A 5-bedroom property in Maynooth, Co. Kildare, has undergone a complete retrofit to improve its Building Efficiency Rating and save on energy bills by installing the Panasonic Aquarea R290 L Series heat pump with added smart controls.

The homeowner was looking to improve the energy rating (BER) of his home, from B3 to A2. As his family had lived in the home for 20 years, he prioritised a retrofit instead of moving to a new property. Homeowner, Shane Duffy, said, “With the current energy crisis in Ireland, we were faced with high heating bills. It was drafty during the winter, so we decided to retrofit the entire house. With huge environmental concerns for our current heating, we were searching for the best product to futureproof our family home. I’ve been working in the heating industry and with Panasonic products for many years, therefore I have seen first-hand the benefits and reliability of the Panasonic Aquarea heat pumps.

The installation was completed by MOS Mechanical, who specified that the Panasonic Aquarea L Series R290 Air-to-Water heat pump was the best choice for improving the efficiency of the home. Sourcing the heat pump from Panasonic approved distributor, Heat Merchants, the installer replaced the homeowner’s 15-year-old condensing gas boiler with the Aquarea L series system that included an All-in-One Panasonic indoor unit, and a 9Kw outdoor unit, and the install took just over two days. The installer determined the outdoor unit could be positioned on the side of the house and elevated with raised brackets, allowing easy access for maintenance. Located on a housing estate, the elevated external unit boasts silent operation, with a reduced sound level of up to 8dB(A) lower than previous models.

One of the big costs when retrofitting a house is the replacement of radiators. After analysis on the home, it was concluded that only three out of the homeowner’s current 13 radiators required replacement, saving the homeowner significant cost and disruption.

The Panasonic Aquarea L Series offers unmatched efficiency and reliability in heating, boasting a GWP of only 3. The range provides outstanding efficiency with a SCOP of up to 5.06, and the All-in-One unit provides a compact footprint of only 598 x 600mm. The units are available in capacities of 5, 7 and 9kW, boasting an A+++ Energy class. The All-in-One unit has a hydraulic connection between the indoor and outdoor unit, providing water outlet temperatures of up to 75°C and down to -10°C.

Walter Stephens, Key Account Manager for Panasonic Ireland, said, “Tests have been carried out by independent consultants on the leading brands in Ireland. Panasonic came out on top as the most efficient heat pump currently on the market.”

Looking to maximise cost savings, the homeowner discovered the array of government incentives that were available for retrofitting homes in Ireland. Utilising the one-stop shop grants, the homeowner received up to €10,500, as well as a 3.5% loan spread over 10 years. On top of this, Panasonic offers a 7-year warranty for its heat pumps, with annual servicing after the warranty period, giving customers peace of mind.

Shane Duffy, said, “When we started this process, a loan was announced for retrofitting through a one stop shop. This makes it very affordable to get the work done in your house, and the big bonus at the end, your house is now future-proofed. Panasonic’s 7-year warranty is also a big plus.”

With the added benefit of Panasonic Smart Could and Service Cloud, that enable remote control and monitoring of the heating system, homeowners are empowered to track energy consumption and control output. Furthermore, installers are given access to remote monitoring capabilities for swift diagnosis and resolution of the system’s operation, reducing wait time and cost. In this project, Shane and his family also benefit from the Wiser app, which provides remote controllability of individual thermostats in every room to further monitor and adjust energy efficiency and save costs.

Concluding, Shane Duffy added, “I know exactly what the heat pump is costing me with the latest Panasonic and Wiser apps. It's great to see and I won't be guessing, and I won't be dreading the bill coming through the door. I know exactly what I'll be paying.”

Please see the accompanying video https://youtu.be/keeUSu8DuDc.To find out more, please visit: https://www.aircon.panasonic.eu/IE_en/