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We examine the Mitsubishi Ecodan Monobloc in great detail in this review as we continue our evaluation of the best air source heat pumps in the UK.
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The Mitsubishi Ecodan Monobloc can be cascaded for even greater power. (image credit: Mitsubishi)
Ecodan air source heat pumps are the flagship heat pumps from Mitsubishi. They are MCS approved, and Mitsubishi has stated that these pumps have been designed for UK weather conditions.
There are several heat pumps in the Ecodan Monobloc range. The Ecodan R32 Ultra Quiet PUZ Monobloc air source pump is exceptionally quiet and meets almost all planning permission requirements. It can be operated remotely via an app. This heat pump is available in 6kW, 8.5kW and 11.2kW options, which means it is sustainable for most properties.
The Ecodan R32 Compact PUZ Monobloc air source heat pump is quiet and substantially smaller than the others in the range. It’s only available in a 5kW model and aimed at much smaller properties.
Finally, the Ecodan R744 QUHZ-W40VA Monobloc air source heat pump is available at a 4.5kW output, which can be stacked with multiple units to heat large properties. This unit is specifically designed for flats or very small homes with a high domestic water requirement. Its minimum operating Temperature is -15°C, compared to the others that have a lower minimum operating temperature of -20°C.
While all of the units hold high-efficiency ratings, the reviews for the Ecodan range have been less than stellar, with a paltry 1.9-star rating on Trustpilot, suggesting that the company isn’t quite living up to its promises.
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The Mitsubishi Ecodan Monobloc air source heat pump is an efficient, low-noise heating solution. It’s extremely quiet and can be operated remotely through the Mitsubishi app. It’s available in several power options, ranging from 6kW to 11.2kW, with a minimum operating temperature of -20°C and an A++ ErP efficiency rating.
Highlights: The new models are three times quieter than previous iterations and make very little noise. Mitsubishi claims the PUHZ Ultra Quiet Monobloc’s sound levels are similar to the average library!
Key benefit: The Ecodan heat pump is easy to control via the MELCloud app. This single app can control hot water and heat functions. The app also allows homeowners to utilise frost protection and holiday mode, set weekly schedules, manage running costs and follow a live weather feed via their mobile devices.
Maximum flow temperature: 48°C (at -8°C outside temperature)
Minimum temperature: – 20°C
The Mitsubishi Ecodan is available in various sizes (image credit Mitsubishi)
While air source heating systems are generally more affordable than a ground source air pump, they are still a huge investment and can impact your comfort levels for better or worse. It’s best to consider all of the alternatives, as well as their advantages and disadvantages.
Some of the advantages of the Mitsubishi Ecodan Monobloc water source heat pump include:
There are some disadvantages to keep in mind, however:
The dimensions of the Mitsubishi Ecodan Monobloc (image credit: Mitsubishi).
The Mitsubishi Ecodan Monobloc heat pump systems come equipped with their own inverter compression technology. This enables the heat pump to maintain the exact temperature desired at all times. When the demand for heating increases, the inverter speeds up its cycles to circulate more heat through the home.
The inverter is far superior to conventional heating methods that use a fixed-speed compressor which leads to room temperature fluctuations and energy wasted.
On the downside, if the Temperature drops below -20°C, heat pumps will struggle to extract enough heat from the air outside, and the temperature will drop. If possible, homeowners should use a hybrid system or backup heating if they live in extremely cold climates. Most properties will need to install larger radiators when they acquire an air source heat pump as smaller radiators don’t work efficiently. It’s also important to insulate your home properly to draw the maximum benefit from your heat pumps.
The Mitsubishi Ecodan Monobloc is an efficient and compact air source heat pump that can operate in low temperatures of between -15°C and -20°C, but you could also look at the Daikin Altherma. It’s slightly more expensive than many Ecodan units, but they perform better in harsh climates, and the company has a stellar reputation.
You could look into the Nibe F-range or some of the Danfoss units, which are in a similar price range to Mitsubishi. They are easy to install and come with high outputs and excellent performance. The Calorex series of air source heat pumps are another good option as they consume very little power, but they do perform badly in low temperatures, so they shouldn’t be used in areas that regularly experience – 5°C weather.
Danfoss offers some of the most affordable air source heat pumps on the market. Here’s how it compares to some of the other leading brands:
| Manufacturer | Cost (excluding installation and labour) |
|---|---|
| Daikin Altherma range | £8,000 – £10,000 |
| Nibe F-series | £6,000 – £9,000 |
| Mitsubishi Ecodan Monobloc | £3,800 – £5,800 |
Air source heat pumps don’t require a good deal of maintenance as a rule. However, for complete peace of mind, it’s always a good idea to check on the pump before winter. The filters, coils and fans should be checked for debris and cleaned once a year.
If you notice that the performance of your air source heat pump has degraded, make sure to contact a qualified and approved technician for support.
The controller is simple to use and understand (image credit: Mitsubishi)
Several add-ons and accessories are available (at an additional cost) for the Mitsubishi Ecodan Monobloc air source heat pump, including protective guards, pre-plumbed cylinders, mounting brackets and more.
Homeowners can choose between an advanced wireless controller or a web-enabled cloud controller app to monitor and control their system remotely.
Most units can be used with compatible indoor cylinder units or Mitsubishi Hydroboxes.
“The way we design, build, heat, power and recycle our homes needs to change and change quickly, and renewable heating is an important part of our future. I’m delighted to associate myself with the market-leading brand of heat pumps which are built here in the UK and which can reduce energy bills and lower emissions for almost any home.”
– George Clarke, architect, television presenter and Ecodan Ambassador statement
“An air source heat pump from Mitsubishi’s Ecodan range is the ideal solution for homes looking for a new heating system which will lower energy bills and reduce your carbon emissions. Ecodan heat pumps are low maintenance, quiet when running, and available in a range of outputs to suit new or old homes of most sizes.”
“Please don’t waste your money on an Ecodan. I’m trying to get mine removed. They cost a fortune to run, and since it’s been fitted, I’ve never had a hot shower. And the heating is shocking. I’ve had to have a log burner fitted to heat the house.”
“Purchase the Mitsubishi electric heat pump less than 12 months go the motherboard as well as a fan motor needed replacing which took over four weeks I would never recommend anyone buy a Mitsubishi electric heat pump.”
“We had an eco Dan heat pump fitted last summer. It was an expensive process, but I used some money I’d recently inherited, thinking it would be an investment and save me money in the future. Sadly it has cost me a fortune ever since due to a faulty system. We have no control over the heating system, which will come on full blast even on the hottest of days. The pump runs even when the heating and hot water are turned off. Our plumber said it was a fault with the Ecodan, so we paid almost £300 for a Mitsubishi engineer to look at it. They said it was wired wrong, yet the problem persists. Mitsubishi wants us to pay again for an engineer to come out despite them not resolving the problem previously. I have called three times in the past week and emailed, and no one is listening. Our electricity bills have gone through the roof. My suggestion is don’t go near their products. It has caused endless stress and cost an absolute fortune.”
As far as air source heat pumps go, the Mitsubishi Ecodan Monobloc doesn’t give us any cause for concern. The minimum operating temperature and efficiency are fair, the price tag is reasonable, and there is sufficient output to heat a standard 3-bedroom home.
If you have a smaller home or flat, Mitsubishi’s compact 5kW air source heat pumps are a wonderful and eco-friendly way to heat your home without breaking the bank.
The only elements that have given us pause are their poor customer reviews and low-star rating. In most instances, poor installation is the root cause of a bad heat pump experience, which does underscore the need to hire reputable, approved installers to assist you when purchasing your air source heat pump (of any brand).
In order to ensure the accuracy of this review, we read hundreds of online customer reviews (including Trustpilot and Google Reviews from the UK and Europe) and visited and reviewed professional forums, media articles and technical documentation.
We compiled a scoring system to rate the Mitsubishi Ecodan Monobloc against, for a total score of 100 points, which included: