Daikin Altherma 3 air source heat pump review

There are three indoor units in the Daikin Altherma 3 air source heat pump range, including 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. The unit is small and requires a surface area of 595 x 625mm for installation. It uses minimal electricity but provides constant hot water. Bi-zone models are available that allow homeowners to create two temperature zones regulated by a single indoor unit. Voice and app control are available. 

The Daikin Altherma 3 R ECH2O comes equipped with an integrated hot water tank and solar unit to maximise renewable energy in the home. There is a bivalent option, so homeowners can combine their unit with another heat source. 

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.

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The Daikin Altherma 3 air source heat pump has attained A+++ seasonal efficiency with Bluevolution technology, and its outdoor unit can operate in temperatures as low as -25°C. It’s compact and can fit nearly anywhere. The Daikin Altherma 3 can be controlled from anywhere using an app or control system. 

• Guarantee options: 3 years
• Price range: £6,000–£10,000
• Efficiency: A+++
• Max power: 16kW

• Highlights:  The Altherma 3 comes in a variety of sizes, including a compact wall-mounted unit to save space. 
• Key benefit:  The Daikin Altherma 3 air source heat pump can operate efficiently even in extremely low temperatures and harsh weather conditions. 
• Maximum flow temperature: 55°C
• Minimum temperature: – 25°C

There are always positives and negatives to consider before buying a new air source heat pump. It’s important to consider the various trade-offs before making your final decision. Some of the advantages and disadvantages of the Daikin Altherma 3 include:  

Pros:

• High performance: The Daikin Altherma 3 can reach water temperatures of 60°C at high efficiency, with frost protection down to -25°C. 
• Easy to install: The Daikin Altherma 3 is delivered ready to operate with all key hydraulics mounted. All servicing can be done easily from the front. The outdoor unit is tested and charged with refrigerant to reduce installation time. 
• Easy controls: You can control your system from anywhere via the Daikin Residential Controller app. 
• Wide range: There are a variety of units available, including wall mounted and solar-equipped units. 

Cons:

• Costs: The Daikin Altherma 3 is quite expensive considering alternatives on the market that provide similar outputs at lower prices.
• Middling reviews: Daikin holds a 3.1-star rating on Trustpilot, signalling mixed reviews.

The Daikin Altherma 3 air source heat pump works with a sleek and compact outdoor unit. (Image credit: Daikin)

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. 

The Daikin Altherma system is an air-to-water heat pump system and requires a Daikin hot water tank to operate (unless you choose an indoor unit with an integrated tank), which has been specially designed and positioned with heating elements and sensors required to operate efficiently. A cooling function can be added, as can a solar connection kit.

The Daikin Altherma 3 is an excellent air source heat pump for most homes. They are compact, powerful, efficient and able to operate in extremely low temperatures. However, it’s always good to consider alternatives. 

There are a few units that are as compact as the Daikin Altherma, including the Mitsubishi Ecodan Monobloc. This efficient and compact air source heat pump can operate in temperatures of -20°C and is much cheaper than the Daikin Altherma. On the downside, outputs are much lower, with a maximum output of 11kW. 

The Nibe F range or Danfoss range offer similar outputs, performance and efficiency at a lower price, while the Calorex series is the cheapest. However, the Calorex shouldn’t be adopted in areas with harsh climates as it cannot perform well in temperatures below -5°C.

The Daikin Altherma 3 is one of the more expensive air source heat pumps on the market. Here’s how its cost compares to the competition:

Daikin Altherma 3 air source heat pumps don’t require a lot of maintenance, but it’s important to check on your air source heat pump regularly, especially before cold weather sets in. 

You should call in a professional to check your air source heat pump if the performance is degrading or if the unit is noisier than normal. You can check the filters, coils and fans yourself. Always switch the unit off before checking the fans and remove any debris or dust that might obscure the flow of air.

The Daikin Altherma 3 air source heat pump range includes a compact wall-mounted unit, though this will require an external hot water tank. (Image credit: Daikin)

Daikin Altherma 3 air source heat pumps are highly customisable. Most homeowners can choose between app or in-home controllers. The Daikin Altherma 3 R ECH2O comes equipped with a solar unit as part of its cost so it can be connected to solar panels, and a bivalent option can be added if homeowners want to use more than one heat source. 

The Daikin Altherma 3 R W doesn’t contain a hot water tank or solar unit, but both can be purchased separately.

“The outdoor unit extracts up to 75% of its energy in the outside air to provide heating, cooling and hot water, while the rest is provided by electricity. The air-to-water heat pump relies on a compressor and a refrigerant to transfer the energy from the air to the water, heat the water up and deliver it into the house. Air-to-water heat pumps are among the most economical heating solutions. By relying on air to answer heating, cooling and domestic hot water needs, the heat pump achieves the highest energy labels.”

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“What’s also great about the Altherma air source heat pumps is that they can operate in extremely low temperatures. In fact, all the heat pumps in Daikin’s Altherma range can operate in conditions as low as -20 C. At the same time, Altherma heat pumps can produce hot water at temperatures from 55 C to 80 C depending on the unit you buy.”

• EcoWatch Review, The 5 Best Air Source Heat Pumps in the UK

“We’re delighted so far with our Daikin altherma air source heat pump. Brilliant for hot water – we’re looking forward to seeing how it does in the winter with our new under floor heating.”

• Sarah Phillips, Trustpilot Review

 “I recently had a fault occur on my Daikin Altherma unit. It was difficult at the start to get the help, but once it arrived, the team were unreal, in particular Ritul Kapoor and his service engineer Jon. Jon was outstanding, especially with my kids running; his knowledge and explanation were the best I have come across. Thanks, Ritul and Jon, 10/10 for service; hopefully, I have the same team back when the parts arrive.”

• Sat S Singh,  Trustpilot Review

“My Altherma Hybrid Heat Pump control interface failed, and the installer who put it in 5 years ago was not able to assist. So I called Daikin. Even though it is out of warranty, they sent an engineer just a day later. He fixed the Issue and provided helpful advice and information. He also corrected some of the settings to make it run better. I will definitely be having Daikin service it each year now. Of course, there was a callout charge, but it was well worth it. I could not be happier.”

• John Peters, Trustpilot Review

The Daikin Altherma series is an excellent option for homeowners who want to maximise energy efficiency in very cold climates (with temperatures as low as -25°C). Many of Daikin’s units can be used with solar panels or upgraded easily 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, even in very cold climates. 

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.

This review was prepared by reading hundreds of online customer reviews (found on sites like Trustpilot, Google Reviews and others) and consulting professional forums, technical documentation and media articles. 

We compiled a detailed scoring system against which we rated the Daikin Altherma 3 for a total score of 100 points. This scoring system included: 

• The warranty period offered by the brand, for a total of 10 points;
• The overall reputation of the brand is based on online reviews, for a total of 15 points;
• Trust pilot reviews for a total of 5 points;
• Awards and accolades (e.g. Which? Best Buy Awards) for a total of 5 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; 
• Installation and maintenance network and reviews, for a total of 15 points; and 
• The total warranty period for a total of 10 points.

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