LG Therma V R32 Hydrosplit air source heat pump review

LG’s Therma V range of air source heat pumps offers excellent efficiency and advanced technology for UK homeowners.

There are 4 models in the Therma V range: the Hydrosplit, the Split, the Monobloc and the R290 Monobloc. In this review, we’ll focus on the Therma V R32 Hydrosplit, an air-to-water heat pump capable of fulfilling your heating, cooling and domestic hot water needs.

Key features

• Operating temperature range: -5ºC to 48ºC
• Energy efficiency: Up to A+++
• External dimensions (outdoor unit): 1,239 x 834 x 330mm (W x H x D)
• Maximum output: 16kW
• Guarantee: 7 years

Technical information

The LG Therma V range of heat pumps absorbs natural energy from the air and compresses it to provide your home with heating and hot water. According to LG, this range is up to four times more energy efficient than traditional fossil fuel-reliant boilers. Every 1kWh of electricity the heat pump needs to run generates around 2–4kWh from the air.

The R32 Hydrosplit comes in outputs of 12kW, 14kW and 16kW and with 2 indoor unit options: a wall-mounted Hydro Box and a floor-standing Hydrosplit IWT (indoor unit + integrated water tank).

The Hydrosplit IWT features an integrated water tank, so there’s no need to install a separate one. This model only requires water piping indoors, making it safer than alternatives that require indoor refrigerant piping.

Therma V heat pumps feature LG Inverter Technology. Being inverter-controlled means they can adapt to your home’s heating and cooling demand instead of constantly running at one , making them highly efficient.

Among other innovative features, the LG Therma V R32 Hydrosplit has an emergency operation mode which ensures your home is still heated even if the heat pump encounters minor issues.

Thanks to the ThinQ companion app, you can perform a variety of tasks remotely including scheduling when your heat pump operates, setting a desired water temperature and adjusting the pump’s noise levels.

While we think the LG Therma V is one of the best air source heat pumps on the market, it might not be suitable for every home.

If you need more power to heat your property and you’re less concerned about your heat pump operating in low temperatures, consider the Vaillant flexoTHERM 400V. This heat pump’s maximum output is 19kW, ideal for larger homes. Despite its high power output, the flexoTHERM 400V is one of the quietest models on the market, causing minimal sound disruption.

If you’re a fan of the monobloc all-in-one style, consider Mitsubishi’s range of Ecodan monobloc air source heat pumps. They come in power outputs ranging from 4.5kW to 14kW and have ErP energy efficiency ratings of A+++. A downside to consider is that Mitsubishi only offers a 5-year warranty, which is shorter than LG’s 7-year warranty for the Therma V range.

The LG Therma V range is one of the more affordable on the market, with prices ranging between £2,600 and £5,000. Considering how powerful and efficient they are, that’s a great price tag. For some competitors such as NIBE or Vaillant, you’re looking at spending at least £8,000 for your unit alone.

LG’s range of Therma V air source heat pumps provides heating and domestic hot water for residential homes. There are four models available in several outputs, with a maximum output of 16kW. Each model has different features and benefits, so you’re sure to find a unit type that suits your home and requirements.

There’s a significant focus on user experience, and the newly updated Split – Low Temperature model features a user-friendly LED display that makes controlling and monitoring your heat pump a breeze. What’s more, the heat pumps boost your home’s energy efficiency through intelligent seasonal heat adjustment.

These air source heat pumps can function perfectly well at temperatures as low as −20°C to −25°C, while the emergency heating operation gives you peace of mind should the unit develop a major fault. These features, along with LG’s lengthy warranty of seven years, make the LG Therma V a good choice for most homes.