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The Kensa Evo holds a A+++ efficiency rating (image credit: Kensa)
The Kensa Evo is one of the best ground source heat pumps available in the UK right now. It has an A+++ Energy-related Product (ErP) rating and is Kensa’s most efficient ground source heat pump. It promises to reduce heating bills, lower carbon emissions, and even improve air quality. The Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCoP) is at 4.7 at 35°C, guaranteeing optimal climate control in all seasons.
The Kensa Evo ground source heat pump uses a controller called the Genesis System Manager that monitors and records efficiencies so that the performance can be managed at all times. The Kensa Evo ground source heat pump can integrate with a number of heating control systems to allow for greater flexibility and customisation.
The Evo also comes with passive cooling options to keep your home cool in the summer months and produces hot water up to 60°C or even higher (for all units except the 17kW).
Perhaps best of all, the Kensa Evo requires no servicing and very little maintenance while producing virtually no emissions. In addition to its standard five-year guarantee, Kensa offers life-long technical support.
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Technical information
Kensa Heat Pumps is the largest manufacturer of ground source heat pumps in the UK. The Kensa Evo is a sleek, modern, and quiet ground source heat pump that is ideal for homeowners who want to lower their carbon footprint while maintaining the comfort of their homes. A high Energy-related Products (ErP) efficiency rating means that it produces more energy than it consumes from electricity, reducing carbon emissions and heating bills.
- Guarantee options: 5 years for the core heat pump unit, plus technical support for the life of the unit
- Price range: £6,772 – £9,829
- Efficiency: A+++
- Max power (depending on model): 7kW-17kW
Key features
Highlights: A third heat exchange recovers internal waste heat while a stainless steel build and weather compensation reduces corrosion.
Key benefit: Extremely energy efficient, with an A+++ rating.
Maximum flow temperature: 50-64°C.
Dimensions: 1,145mm (h) x 600mm (w) x 575mm (d).
The Kensa Evo is very compact, making it suitable for small homes (Image credit: Kensa)
Pros and cons
As with any large purchase, it’s a good idea to consider the pros and cons of your ground source heat pump before choosing the final product. Here are some of the advantages of the Kensa Evo range:
- Highly efficient: The Kensa Evo range comes with a best-in-class ErP A+++ efficiency rating.
- Compact: While it’s not as small in stature as the Kensa Shoebox range, the Kensa Evo is nonetheless highly compact and suitable for smaller homes.
- Durability: The Kensa Evo is built using stainless steel and weather compensation which reduces corrosion and improves durability.
- Quiet: The Kensa Evo is very quiet, with noise levels ranging from 49.2 to 56.2 decibels, comparable to a standard dishwasher.
There are a few disadvantages to bear in mind, though:
- Warranty: Kensa Evo comes with a mere five-year warranty which only covers the main heat pump unit. There are longer warranties available from competitors. However, Kensa offers technical support for the life of the heat pump, giving you peace of mind.
- Cost: The installation of the Kensa Evo is more expensive than an air-source heat pump, although it does offer greater performance and efficiency.
The Kensa Evo is quiet, efficient and attractive (Image credit: Kensa)
How does the Kensa Evo series heat pump work?
The Kensa Evo is installed via ground collectors or boreholes, where it collects solar heat from the ground or underground lakes to heat your home. Modulating pumps meet the flow requirements, while the load side pump modulates between normal and setback speeds. A self-adjusting pressure controlled hot water system and domestic hot water boost controllers synchronise to heat pump cycles to reduce energy use, while a third heat exchanger removes internal waste heat from the compressor circuit.
How does the Kensa Evo ground source heat pump compare to other heat pumps?
The Kensa Evo is fairly priced and highly efficient, but it might not suit every home. If you are looking for real power from your ground source heat pump, the Nibe F-series is a better bet, with an operating range of up to 43kW. It’s low maintenance and doesn’t require annual servicing. On the downside, it’s nearly double the price of the Kensa Evo. Another alternative would be the Viessmann Vitocal 350-G, which offers powerful outputs of up to 42.4kW and maximum flow temperatures of 70°C.
If, on the other hand, you’d like to go smaller and cheaper, the Kensa Shoebox range is a good option. These highly compact ground source heat pumps have outputs of 6kW and are small enough to fit in kitchen cupboards, making them ideal for flats or small spaces. At around £4,000, it also suits smaller budgets.
What does the Kensa ground source heat pump cost?
The Kensa Evo ground source heat pump is priced fairly, especially when you consider that it’s a premium product, and has low installation costs. Here’s how it compares to the competition:
Manufacturer |
Cost (excluding installation) |
|---|---|
Viessmann Vitocal 350-G |
£10,000 |
Kensa Evo |
£6,772 – £9,829 |
Kensa Shoebox |
£4,055 – £5,429 |
The Kensa Evo is very affordable, yet very efficient (Image credit: Kensa)
Maintaining the Kensa Evo
Unlike other ground source heat pumps, the Kensa Evo doesn’t require a regular service, but it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the console for flashing error codes which may indicate an issue with your heat pump.
If any codes pop up, call the Kensa Technical Department for assistance. The warranty expires after five years, but lifelong telephone technical support is available to customers.
Kensa Evo add-ons
Kensa offers a few accessories (at an added cost). This includes different installation customisations, pond mats, purge pumps, underground and above-ground manifolds and more. Your installer will be able to provide more information based on your unique needs.
What the professionals say
“Whilst Kensa has made some innovative changes, the heat pump itself is still as simple and reliable as ever.”
- Matt Young – Installer, Griffiths Air Conditioning
“Kensa’s multi-award-winning Evo range of ground source heat pumps offers a 15% gain in efficiency compared to its previous models, earning an impressive A+++ efficiency rating. For homeowners, this helps minimise running costs and maximise income via the government’s Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme. The Evo also features Kensa’s custom-built control panel and system manager, the first of its kind and developed exclusively for use with ground source heat pumps. Kensa prides the Evo on its simplicity, promising easy installation and setup compared to other systems, and user reviews online generally praise the company for its knowledge and realistic sales pitch.”
- Eco Watch Review: 5 Best Ground Source Heat Pumps in the UK
Customer reviews
“I experienced instant service from Lauren in Exeter, which is rare in the heat pumps market in the UK currently from my experience.”
- Richard George, Trustpilot
“The Kensa Technical Support team are excellent. They are always happy to help with issues and really go the extra mile. Twice now, they have sent out part replacements free of charge (when we are actually out of warranty) and have talked us through the installation in order to save us from calling out a plumber. Carl has been really, really helpful, and Tom has also been excellent in the past.”
- Dana, Google Reviews
“Recently had a 13kW Evo installed, and I am very pleased with its performance. In fact, it is better than my 12kw oil boiler, which it replaced, and it exceeds its quoted performance… That said, it would benefit with the energy meter being readable from the front panel, which is over-engineered, being far too heavy/fancy and has to be moved to access the same.”
- Andrew Hopson, Google Reviews
Final recommendation
The Kensa Evo has taken several accolades (Image credit: Kensa)
Kensa is one of the best performing pumps on the market. The Evo has gained 15% in efficiency compared to previous Kensa models and can greatly minimise running costs. Homeowners can take advantage of the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive scheme with the edge provided by Kensa.
A custom-built control panel and system manager puts the homeowner in control of their heat pump, and its low-maintenance design makes this one of the simplest ground source heat pumps on the market. The Kensa Evo is also compact and easy to install (and doesn’t require an annual service).
The Kensa Evo is a good option for medium to large homes due to its energy efficiency and price tag. It’s not the most powerful on the market, but its 17kW output is suitable for most homes.
It’s highly durable, affordable, quiet, and a good way of reducing your carbon emissions. The Kensa Evo won a Built It Award, recognising its sustainability and design in 2017, and Kensa holds a 4.9-star rating on Google based on consumer reviews.
Methodology
While the Kensa Evo isn’t as expensive as some of the other models we’ve reviewed, it’s still a huge investment. We compiled this review by reading hundreds of customer reviews from Trustpilot, Google, and Reddit, consulted professional forums, read media articles and studied the technical documentation to evaluate the Kensa Evo. A final score out of 100 points was compiled.
The points system comprised the following:
- 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;
- Trustpilot 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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