Electrical equipment, healthcare products, digital systems, and home comfort—there’s little Hitachi can’t do. This Japanese conglomerate has been dominating the tech industry for over a century, consistently delivering high-quality products across multiple sectors.
Hitachi heat pumps are among the company’s impressive lineup of home comfort solutions, garnering significant attention in recent years. But how good are Hitachi heat pumps, really?
In this Hitachi heat pump review, we’ll break down the performance, energy efficiency, and cost of Hitachi heat pumps. We’ll also discuss the available models to help you decide which product best suits your home heating/cooling needs.
Hitachi Air Source Heat Pumps: A Brief Overview
Heat pumps are HVAC systems that move air from one place to another. During the colder months they pull heat from outdoors into the home. In warmer months, they are capable of doing the opposite, with heat transferred from inside to the outdoors. Because heat is transferred rather than generated, heat pumps are far more efficient than traditional home heating systems like boilers or electric heaters. This translates to significant savings in the long run.
Heat pumps come in three categories: air-to-air, air-to-water, and geothermal.
Air-to-air heat pumps transfer heat between indoor and outdoor air, while air-to-water heat pumps transfer heat to a water-based system indoors, like an underfloor heating system or a radiator.
Geothermal heat pumps, on the other hand, transfer heat to or from the ground, taking advantage of the constant heat of the earth as seasons change. Geothermal heat pumps aren’t as common as air-to-air and air-to-water due to their high upfront costs and complex installation.
Hitachi manufactures both air-to-water and air-to-air heat pumps.
The Yutaki S is its flagship air-to-water heat pump series, encompassing two primary models: the Yutaki S and the Yutaki S Combo.
Hitachi air-to-air models fall under the E Series, which includes the P Model and the airHome Model.
Yutaki S vs. Yutaki S Combo: What’s the Difference?
The primary difference between the Yutaki S and the Yutaki S Combo lies in their application.
The Yutaki S is specifically designed to heat and cool a home, like a regular HVAC system.
Meanwhile, the Yutaki S Combo functions as an HVAC system and a water heater. This means that the Combo not only cools and heats your home, but also provides hot water for washing, showering, and other water-related tasks.
Apart from that, the Yutaki S and the S Combo share the same specs, with the Yutaki S having slightly higher heating and cooling performances. Both models are available in R32 and R410A refrigerants.
Comparison Table of Hitachi Air Source Heat Pumps
| Feature | Yutaki S 2.0 | Yutaki S 2.0 Combo |
| kW (heating or cooling capacity) | 4.3kW to 8kW (R32), 11kW to 24kW (R410A) | 4.3kW to 8kW (R32), 11kW to 16kW (R410A) |
| Indoor sound level | 37 to 47 dB(A) | 37 to 39 dB(A) |
| Outdoor sound level | 46 to 74 dB(A) | 46 to 67 dB(A) |
| Refrigerant | R32 or R410A, depending on the model | R32 or R410A, depending on the model |
| Applications | Heating, cooling | Heating, cooling, domestic hot water |
| Installation Requirements | Similar to standard heat pump | May require additional plumbing for hot water system |
| SEER | 22 | 22 |
| Max heating temperature | 60 °C | 60 °C |
| Minimum cooling temperature | -25 °C | -25 °C |
| Water tank | N/A | 220L and 260 L, depending on the model |
Hitachi P vs. Hitachi airHome: What’s the Difference?
The P Series and airHome Series share the same specs, with the airHome incorporating advanced features such as air purification and voice controls and slightly higher heating/cooling capacities.
Both models are considerably more budget-friendly than Hitachi’s Yutaki S line. Prices range from £2,000 to £5,000 depending on the unit capacity and features.
Comparison Table of Hitachi Air-to-Air Heat Pumps
| Feature | P Model | airHome |
| Heating capacity | 3.2 to 6 kW | 3.2 to 8 kW |
| Cooling capacity | 2.5 to 5 kW | 2.5 to 7 kW |
| Smart features | Auto-off, smart swing, Intelligent Image Sensor, iSense Activity Sensor, iClean Automatic Filter Cleaning Technology, Wi-Fi control | Everything in the P Model, including Voice control with Alexa and Google Home, air purification, and airCloud Go that allows you to control your Hitachi air conditioner remotely |
Why Buy a Hitachi Air Source Heat Pump?
Here are some compelling reasons to invest in a Hitachi air source heat pump:
Exceptional Energy Efficiency
Hitachi air source heat pumps are renowned for their efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Every model in Hitachi’s lineup, regardless of heating or cooling capacity, holds an ENERGY STAR certification. They use 1 kW of electricity to produce 4 kW of heat, resulting in energy savings of up to 60%.
Environmentally Friendly
Hitachi uses R32 and R410A refrigerants in their heat pumps, which are known for their environmentally friendly properties compared to older refrigerants like R22.
R32 and R410A have a low global warming potential (GWP) of 657 and 2088 respectively, and an Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) of zero.
Durable and Reliable
Hitachi heat pumps feature high-quality components that offer long-lasting performance. With proper maintenance, Hitachi heat pumps are expected to last around 12 years. All models have a six-year warranty.
Quiet Operation
Hitachi heat pumps are incredibly quiet, with an indoor sound level of between 37 to 47 dB(A) and an outdoor sound level of 46 to 74 dB(A).
To put that into perspective, most modern heat pumps have a sound rating of around 60 dB(A).
Hitachi heat pumps aren’t at the level of ultra-quiet models with a sound rating of 18 to 30 dB(A), but they’re still significantly quieter than many other heat pumps on the market.
How Much Do Hitachi Heat Pumps Cost?
Hitachi heat pumps are slightly more expensive than models like LG Therma, Mitsubishi Ecodan Monobloc, and Panasonic Aquarea.
On average, expect to pay between £4,200 to £7,500 for a Yutaki S and £4,500 to £7,600 for a Yutaki S Combo. E Series models are a bit more budget-friendly at £2,000 to £5,000.
Prices depend on the unit’s capacity, the refrigerant used, and additional features like smart home integration, advanced filtration systems, and hot water capacity (for S Combo). Installation can cost an additional £2,400 to £10,000.
Luckily, the UK government offers heat pump grants and rebates to help offset the cost of the appliance and installation.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is one such grant, offering grants of up to £7,500 for homeowners looking to upgrade their boilers into energy-efficient systems like heat pumps.
The Energy Company Obligation Scheme (ECO4) is another funding grant that provides financial support for energy efficiency improvements. With this grant, homeowners can potentially save £400 to £1,500 on energy bills annually.
Note that most of these grants are regionally dependent, so make sure to look up their availability in your area. Eligibility criteria also vary from household to household, with grants preferring low-income households.
Final Thoughts
Hitachi’s heat pumps exceed industry standards. Aside from their high-quality build and inverter technology, Hitachi units offer exceptional energy efficiency. Switching from a boiler to a Hitachi heat pump can potentially save you up to 60% on energy bills, making them a cost-effective long-term investment.