Hitachi Yutaki S combi air source heat pump review

We take a closer look at the Hitachi Yutaki S Combi air source heat pump system as we search for the best air source heat pumps in the UK.

The Hitachi Yutaki S Combi product photo

The Hitachi Yutaki S Combi is compact and powerful. (Image credit: Hitachi Aircon)

Hitachi Yutaki S Combi air source heat pumps can produce hot water up to 60 °C. This model is the ideal heat pump system to purchase as a boiler and heating system in a new build. It can operate in very cold conditions of −25 °C.

The Hitachi Yutaki S Combi range includes the following models:

  • Yutaki S 2 Combi (6.5 kW maximum output)
  • Yutaki S 3 Combi (11 kW maximum output)
  • Yutaki S 4 Combi (15.2 kW maximum output)
  • Yutaki S 5 Combi (16.7 kW maximum output)
  • Yutaki S 6 Combi (17.8 kW maximum output)

The system’s hot water recovery time is similar to that of a traditional boiler, but there are plenty of extra benefits. Depending on your needs and house, you can choose between two hot water tank sizes: 200 L and 260 L.

The Hitachi Yutaki S series has an A+++ ErP rating and can potentially cut down your electricity costs by a significant amount. You can also connect the unit to your solar panels, underfloor heating and pool heating to make your home even more energy efficient.

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Technical information

The Hitachi Yutaki S Combi air source heat pump is a combined system that provides space heating and hot water of up to 60 °C. With its A+++ rating, the unit works efficiently at temperatures of −25 °C and helps you save energy. The system operates at 4.30 kW to 16.00 kW in heating mode and 4.00 kW to 10.50 kW in cooling mode.

  • Guarantee options: Three to seven years
  • Price range: £3,400 to £7,810
  • Efficiency: A+++
  • Max power: 17.8 kW
Hitachi range of energy efficient, attractive heat pumps

Hitachi offers a range of energy efficient, attractive heat pumps. (Image credit: Hitachi Aircon)

Key features

  • Highlights: High outputs and efficiency of up to A+++ mean the Hitachi Yutaki S Combi heat pump is one of the most powerful and cost-effective models on the market.
  • Key benefit: Hitachi Yutaki S Combi air source heat pumps are compact and powerful, with an integrated hot water cylinder, offering space savings of up to 70%.
  • Maximum flow temperature: 60 °C
  • Minimum temperature: −20 °C (−25 °C on some models)

Pros and cons

Like all air source heat pumps, the Hitachi Yutaki S Combi has advantages and disadvantages that you should consider before installing. Some of the advantages include:

  • Excellent efficiency helping you lower your carbon footprint: Hitachi Yutaki S Combi air source heat pumps extract renewable energy from the air, using 1 kW of electricity to produce 4 kW of heat. Hitachi claims they can reduce energy bills by as much as 60%.
  • Hot water on demand: Hot water of up to 60 °C is produced and stored in an integrated hot water tank to ensure you never have to wait for a hot shower again.
  • Backup heating element: A backup heating element provides hot water in an emergency, giving you peace of mind. This is the only Hitachi heat pump with this feature.

There are some disadvantages to the Hitachi Yutaki S Combi to consider, including: 

  • Cost: There are cheaper models on the market with similar outputs to the Hitachi Yutaki S Combi range.

How do Hitachi Yutaki S Combi air source heat pumps work?

Hitachi Yutaki S Combi air source heat pumps transform the air outside your home into usable heat through refrigeration and vapour compression.

You would typically need a dedicated heat pump hot water cylinder with a larger coil surface area to complement your unit. This is also available through Hitachi, but the Combi offers an all-in-one pre-plumbed and pre-wired system.

hitachi heating app on an iphone

Heating can be managed via a remote smartphone app (Image credit: Hitachi)

How do Hitachi Yutaki S Combi air source heat pumps compare to other heat pumps?

Several other heat pumps are comparable to the Hitachi Yutaki S Combi in terms of price and performance.

If you are interested in a high-performance unit that works well in low temperatures, you should consider the Hitachi Yutaki S80. This model can heat water up to 80 °C at −25 °C and offers outputs of 32 kW with an A+++ efficiency rating.

If you don’t want to stick with the Hitachi brand, however, you could consider the LG THERMA V. We were impressed with its powerful 16 kW output, favourable price tag and compact design.

You might get better results from the Daikin ALTHERMA 3 if you live in a very cold climate. This heat pump can handle temperatures of −25 °C with ease (although it is more expensive).

We can also recommend Mitsubishi Ecodan Monobloc heat pumps which are comparable to the Hitachi Yutaki S Combi in terms of efficiency and performance.

How much does the Hitachi Yutaki S Combi air source heat pump cost?

The Hitachi Yutaki S Combi is a mid-range air source heat pump. Here’s how it compares to some of the others on the market:

Manufacturer Cost (excluding installation and labour)
Hitachi Yutaki S Combi £4,000 to £7,000
LG Therma £3,255 to £6,300
Mitsubishi Ecodan Monobloc £2,600 to £5,815

Maintaining Hitachi Yutaki S air source heat pumps

The Hitachi Yutaki S Combi doesn’t require a great deal of maintenance, but it’s a good idea to check your unit regularly to make sure that dust and debris aren’t blocking the airflow. A qualified technician can assist with annual servicing.

You can remove simple obstructions by turning off the unit and checking the fan blades regularly.

Hitachi Yutaki S Combi air source heat pump add-ons

You may decide to add solar panels to your home’s heating setup which you can connect to your Hitachi Yutaki S Combi heat pump at your own cost.

The remote control is included, but you can decide to add a cooling kit and a second temperature kit if you like. The second temperature kit is only compatible with the Yutaki S Combi 200 L tank.

What the professionals say

“Hitachi Yutaki heat pumps work by transforming energy from outside air into heat for your use. Every 1 kW of electricity generated can provide up to 5 kW of energy in a well-insulated home. This then helps to reduce heating bills and cuts CO2 emissions by 70% compared to traditional boiler-led systems.

“Hitachi heat pumps require significantly less fossil fuels (such as gas and oil), and you can also save up to 60% on running costs, providing a convenient and compact renewable energy solution.”

Customer reviews

“Local technician, customer care executive and all are playing some tricky games; no one is responding, you call them 100 times and each and every time, they give some different answers and excuses too.”

“Most useless heat pump ever, never work[s] well…freezing cold, yet it decides to stop… So angry with the guy who talked me into this product. Hate this; I want to kick it soo bad.”

“I’m on my second in five years and it is more trouble than it’s worth. The problem is that designing a room with its dimensions in mind [means] nothing else will now fit. Think twice before investing in one of these. There must be better.”

Final recommendation

The Hitachi Yutaki S Combi is a good air source heat pump for new builds and projects, especially those situated in cooler climates. Quicker to install than other models, this heat pump is efficient and can help you save energy and keep costs low in your home.

This product is unique in that it comes with an integrated hot water cylinder in two different sizes. This is ideal if you’re looking to save space. You can also benefit from the system’s backup heater for peace of mind and guaranteed hot water supply in unexpected emergencies.

Methodology

We created this Hitachi Yutaki S Combi heat pump review by looking at online customer opinions and testimonials from various sites, including Google Reviews, Trustpilot and others. We consulted professional forums and technical documentation and reviewed media articles about the product.

We then compiled the scoring system below to rate the Hitachi Yutaki S Combi air source heat pump.

  • The warranty period offered by the brand, for a total of 10 points;
  • The overall reputation of the brand based on online reviews, for a total of 15 points;
  • Trust pilot reviews for a total of five points;
  • Awards and accolades (eg, Which? Best Buy Awards) for a total of five points;
  • Customer service performance, for a total of 10 points;
  • The price range, for a total of 15 points;
  • Efficiency ratings, for a total of 15 points; and
  • Installation and maintenance network and reviews, for a total of 15 points.

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