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In this review, we look into the Daikin Altherma 3 air source heat pump range, outlining its features, specs, pros and cons, and costs.
Daikin is a Japanese conglomerate specialised in heating, ventilation and air conditioning; in fact, the company is the world’s largest air conditioning manufacturer.
The Altherma 3 air source heat pump is a compact air-to-air and air-to-water heat pump with award-winning design and plenty of smart features. Read on to find out whether it’s the right heat pump for your home.
The Daikin Altherma 3 extracts thermal energy from the air outside, heats it, and releases it into the system. This heats water, which runs to your radiators, underfloor heating or fan coil units through a refrigerant. Depending on the model you choose, it can also heat water for domestic use.
The Daikin Altherma 3 has a seasonal efficiency rating up to A+++, and its outdoor unit can operate in temperatures as low as -25°C. It’s a flexible heat pump, as it comes with a choice of 3 possible indoor units: the Daikin Altherma 3 R F, Daikin Altherma 3 R ECH2O and Daikin Altherma 3 R W.
The Daikin Altherma 3 R F is a compact, floor-standing indoor unit with an integrated domestic hot water tank. It uses minimal electricity and has a very small footprint inside your home, so it’s perfect for apartments and smaller homes. Bi-zone models are available that allow for the creation of 2 temperature zones which can be controlled remotely through the Daikin app.
The Daikin Altherma 3 R ECH2O comes equipped with an integrated hot water tank and solar unit to maximise the use renewable energy in the home. There is a bivalent option, so homeowners can combine their unit with another heat source of their choosing.
The Daikin Altherma 3 R W is a wall-mounted unit. It doesn’t require side clearance and is extremely easy and flexible to install. It can be combined with a separate domestic hot water tank up to 500 litres in size, with or without solar support. Voice and app control are available as well.
The Daikin Altherma 3 is one of the more expensive air source heat pumps on the market. Based on our research, you can expect to pay between £6,000 and £10,000 for the unit alone, excluding installation and labour costs. If you’re on a budget, consider the likes of Samsung’s EHS Mono Outdoor heat pump or the Hitachi Yutaki S range.
As of September 2025, Daikin is rated an impressive 4.2 stars out of 5 on Trustpilot from close to 2,000 reviews. Customers praise heat pumps’ reliability and quiet operation, as well as the companion app. There are some reports by users struggling to get in touch with customer service to solve their issue, but Daikin appears to answer all reviews to seek more information.
“I chose Daikin Altherma high temperature Air source heat pump following independant reviews giving it high efficiency ratings. The approved installer, C.L.E.Renewable Energy were very knowledgable and gave a really competative quote. It really is necessary to obtain several quotes. The final installation included several improvements which Daikin have as standard but which I had probably missed on the Website. The 12KW Air source heat pump is so quiet I see why noise levels are of no concern. I am also amazed at how low a temperatre the radiators run at to achieve the required heating. Hot water for showers and washing up is there in abundance.
The app I will use to record energy usagebut it has much more available. As an immediate result, utilising solar plus batteries my external energy consumption has gone from Gas to Night rate electric, and so far, not much electric. Finally, because the installer is approved? I now have a 5 year parts and labour as part of the package.”
“Difficulties getting through on the phone to discuss the problem. Engineer investigated and found the reason for no heating etc. part required and 4days later still no heating!!”
“great heat pump, silent, sleek and economical”
Daikin Altherma heat pumps are an excellent option for homeowners who want to maximise energy efficiency in cold climates. Many of Daikin’s units can be used with solar panels or upgraded to do so to lower your carbon footprint even more.
The units are quiet and powerful, and some of them are extremely compact, which means that you can find the right unit for a flat or a larger detached home with ease. Remote app-based controls make it easy to maintain comfort levels.
The integrated hot water tank available in the floor-standing units means that hot water is readily available on-demand. The only real downside is the cost. It may be hard to justify the level of spend you need for the Daikin Altherma, especially since there are some models that offer similar efficiencies and output at a lower price.
If you want to invest in an air source heat pump for a new build or to replace an existing system, the Daikin Altherma 3 series is an excellent option.
We considered several factors when reviewing the Daikin Altherma 3 air source heat pump, including the following weighted criteria: design (20 per cent), durability (20 per cent), efficiency (25 per cent), performance (25 per cent), and guarantee options (10 per cent). We also compared the Daikin Altherma 3 with some of the best outdoor heating systems and air source heat pumps in the UK in terms of both performance and price.