What Are The Best Air Source Heat Pumps of 2024?

What Is an Air Source Heat Pump?

An air source heat pump simply draws heat from the outside air and amplifies it through an energy efficient process. This heat then either warms your home or hot water. The best air source heat pumps are capable of doing both.

There are two different types available: one that heats air and one that heats water. The air-to-air model works on the same principle as an air conditioner. It pumps out either hot or cold air from grilles installed throughout your home.

Air-to-water models are connected to a hot water tank. They heat this up through low pressure coils. This water is then used for either your taps and showers or your central heating. More powerful models can do both, but may need a helping hand. This is where hybrid heat pumps come in useful.

Best Air Source Heat Pumps on the Market

We’ve done a fair bit of the hard work for you already. In no particular order, you can see our best air source heat pumps in the list below.

1. Samsung - Best Cold Weather Performance

2. LG - Highest DHW Temperature

3. Vaillant - Best SCOP

4. Viessmann - Smallest Power Option

5. Mitsubishi - Best Hot Weather Performance

6. Daikin - Best All Rounder

7. Panasonic - Best Leaving Water Temperature

To compare actual data, take a look at the interactive carousel below. We’ve assessed seven models from different manufacturers to help give you an overview.

Samsung EHS Mono HT Quiet R32 – Best Cold Weather Performance

The first model on our list is the Samsung EHS Mono HT Quiet R32. It’s a quiet running model that comes in at 59dBA, but has a solid performance.

Thanks to its operating range for heating from -30–43°C, it has the highest threshold for cold temperature operation. Working up to -30°C, it’s the best air source heat pump for particularly cold weather.

With a SCOP of 4.75 on a low setting, this Samsung heat pump offers great usability, with a 475% efficiency rating, or 364% when hotter temperatures are needed.

LG THERMA V R32 Monobloc – Highest Temperature Output

LG’s best air source heat pump has the highest temperature output of any model we tested. The maximum domestic hot water temperature is 80°C, which is comparable to a traditional gas boiler.

The THERMA V can operate at temperatures as low as -25°C, which is still an impressive feat. It’s capable of leaving the water in your radiators at anything from 15–65°C, which is both low enough to prevent pipes from freezing and hot enough to keep efficiencies high.

With a SCOP of 4.46 on a low setting, this LG model is highly efficient, with a 446% efficiency rating, or 320% when used at hotter temperatures.

Vaillant flexoTHERM – Best SCOP

The Vaillant flexoTHERM is an impressive piece of kit. It has the quietest operating noise, the highest SCOP and has the most powerful option across all the models we looked at.

As Vaillant’s best air source heat pump, it works down to temperatures as low as -10°C. It’s also capable of giving you water up to 65°C from your taps and hot water outlets.

With a SCOP of an impressive 5.62 on a low setting, the flexoTHERM is the best air source heat pump at this temperature, with a 562% efficiency rating.

Viessmann Vitocal 200-A Monobloc – Smallest Power Option

Some homes don’t need much in the way of power, and the Viessmann Vitocal 200-A Monobloc comes in the smallest size. This makes it one of the best air source heat pumps for homes without a large heating demand.

Capable of working down to temperatures as low as -20°C, this means it’s no less impressive than other models. It can also heat water up to 60°C, making the Vitocal fit all your needs.

With a SCOP of 4.58 on low, and 3.37 on high temperatures, it’s highly efficient, at 458% or 337% on average.

Mitsubishi Ecodan R290 – Best Hot Weather Performance

The Mitsubishi Ecodan R290 is one of the best air source heat pump models because it makes use of the environmentally friendly R290 refrigerant. This only has a Global Warming Potential index of 3, compared to the R32 refrigerant’s much higher 675.

The Ecodan can operate up to 46°C, making it the best air source heat pump for hot weather performance. However, being able to generate hot water at that temperature won’t necessarily be useful. It can still pump out hot water up to 75°C, which beats lesser models.

With a SCOP of 4.49 on a low setting, this Mitsubishi heat pump offers great versatility, with a 449% efficiency rating, or 356% when slightly hotter temperatures are required.

Daikin Altherma 3 – Best All Rounder

As a model that does the job perfectly well, the Daikin Altherma 3 is the best air source heat pump for all round performance. It has powerful models from 14–18kW, so it can comfortably deal with the demands of a four bedroom house or bigger.

The leaving water temperature is anything from around 25–55°C, which will keep your radiators nice and warm whenever you need them to be. Domestic hot water can be kept higher than this, at up to 60°C.

With a SCOP of 4.51 on economical heat, and 3.58 on hotter temperatures, the Altherma 3 is efficient up to 451% or 358%.

Panasonic Aquarea L Series – Best Leaving Water Temperature

Our final model is the Aquarea L Series from Panasonic. It’s the best air source heat pump we tested based on leaving water temperature. Capable of heating up to 75°C, this makes it the hottest model we tested.

The Aquarea L Series remains one of the best air source heat pumps because it can still heat domestic hot water up to 65°C and can operate down to temperatures as low as -25°C.

With an impressive SCOP over 5 on a low setting, this Panasonic model will save you money on your heating bills, with a 506% efficiency rating, or 363% when you need hotter temperatures.

Criteria Used

In order to find the best air source heat pump, you need to look at different criteria across the board.

Operating Temperature

These are the rough operating temperatures that the heat pump can safely operate. To judge the lowest limit, it’s important to check how cold it can get before they lose their efficiency entirely.

DHW

The maximum temperature of the domestic hot water is useful to gauge how warm your hot water cylinder and taps can get. All heat pumps work on low flow temperatures, so hotter temperatures are impressive.

Leaving Water

This is simply how hot the water will be when it’s circulating your central heating system. The water in your radiators will operate within these temperatures. Higher temperatures are reserved for the best air source heat pumps.

Sound

Operating noise can be a big issue, especially when it comes to installing the outdoor unit. The assessment position should be at a maximum of 42dBA, according to the Town and Country Planning Act, 1990. Fortunately, some of the best air source heat pumps come with The Quiet Mark.

SCOP

The seasonal coefficient of performance is the most useful way of looking at the efficiency of these systems. While the best air source heat pump can boast an impressive COP on a hot day, it won’t be as efficient in cold weather. The SCOP simply gives an overall average across all seasons. The higher it is, the lower the running cost.

Why Choose a Heat Pump?

There are many reasons why choosing an air source heat pump is best.

• Reduce your carbon footprint

• Save on energy bills

• Low maintenance

• Government grants

While you’re researching the air source heat pump best for you, it’s important to remember that everyone’s needs will be different. This is why we’ve provided a broad range of options for you to consider.

If you’re wondering how much you’d pay for a heat pump, click on the button below. You’ll receive tailored quotes from local suppliers.