Panasonic needs no introduction. With over a century of experience in electronics and appliances, this Japanese powerhouse has become a household name synonymous with quality and innovation.
While it’s more well-known for its televisions, washing machines, and refrigerators, Panasonic boasts a long line of high-efficiency air source heat pumps.
In this Panasonic heat pump review, we discuss the main models in Panasonic’s heat pump line, as well as their efficiency, as well as their key features, performance metrics, and overall value to your home.
Panasonic Heat Pumps: A Brief Overview
Heat pumps are HVAC systems that move air from one place to another. In warmer months, they are capable of transferring heat of indoor air outdoors while most importantly in the cooler months, they do the opposite: pull heat from the cold outdoor air and transfer it indoors.
Heat pumps are divided into three categories: air-to-air, air-to-water, and geothermal.
Air-to-air heat pumps circulate warm or cool air through ducts, similar to traditional HVAC systems.
Meanwhile, air-to-water systems extract heat from outdoor air and transfer it to a water-based system, like a radiator or underfloor heating.
Geothermal heat pumps transfer heat to or from the ground, harnessing the constant temperature below the earth’s surface to cool or heat a home.
Of these three systems, air-to-air and air-to-water are the most popular. Panasonic manufactures both for domestic, residential, and commercial use.
Main Models in the Panasonic Heat Pump Range
Panasonic’s heat pumps can be either air-to-air or air-to-water. Let’s break down the differences:
Air-to-Air Heat Pumps
Panasonic’s line of air-to-air heat pumps includes the RE Series, Exterios E Deluxe Series, and Clima Pure™ XE Cold Climate Series. All three have a mini-split design, meaning they don’t use ductwork. Instead, they’re directly mounted onto a wall or a ceiling with a built-in air handler.
RE Series
The RE Series is a solid entry-level heat pump, providing good efficiency and performance. RE models have a SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) of up to 16 and an HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) of 8.5, which is considered slightly above average.
As a refresher, SEER and HSPF measure the cooling and heating efficiency of HVAC systems respectively. The higher the rating, the more efficiently the system heats or cools a home. Industry averages of SEER range from 13 to 21, while HSPF averages fall between 8 and 10.
Exterios E Deluxe Series
The Exterios E Deluxe Series is a step up from the RE Series, offering enhanced features like WiFi control and deodourising air filters, as well as improved efficiency overall. Exterios E models have a SEER of 19 to 23 and an HSPF of 10 to 11.
Clima Pure™ XE Cold Climate Series
The Clima Pure™ XE Cold Climate Series is Panasonic’s premium air-to-air line.
Clima Pure XE models are specifically engineered for colder climates, so they excel particularly well in areas that experience extremely low temperatures.
It boasts superior heating performance and advanced features, like the Panasonic nanoe™ X air and surface purification technology.
Models have a SEER of 20 to 28.2 and an HSPF of 10.6 to 14.
Comparison Table of Panasonic Air-to-Air Heat Pumps
| Feature | RE Series | Exterios E Deluxe Series | Clima Pure™ XE Cold Climate Series |
| Type | Ductless mini-split | Ductless mini-split | Ductless mini-split |
| Zoning options | Single-zone | Single-zone and multi-zone available | Single-zone and limited multi-zone |
| SEER | Up to 16 | 19 to 23 | 20 to 28.2 |
| HSPF | 8.5 | 10 to 11 | 10.6 to 14 |
| BTU/h (cooling power) | 9,000 to 22,000 BTU/h | 9,000 to 28,000 BTU/h | 9,000 to 24,000 BTU/h |
| Minimum indoor operating temperature | As low as 0°C (32°F) | As low as -3°C (26°F) | As low as -4°C (25°F) |
| Minimum outdoor temperature | As low as -5°F (-21°C) | As low as -5° F (-21° C) | As low as -15° F (26° C) |
Air-to-Water Heat Pumps
Panasonic’s air-to-water heat pumps are called Aquarea.
There are two lines in the Aquarea Series: the K Generation and the L Generation.
The primary difference between the two generations is their target applications. The K Generation is designed for new homes and well-insulated buildings, while the L Generation is ideal for renovations and older homes.
Aquarea K Generation
K Generation models utilise R32 refrigerant for heating and cooling, a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) that is leagues more efficient than older refrigerants like R22 and R410A.
It also has a low Global Warming Potential (GWP) and Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP), meaning it contributes less to climate change.
Additionally, these models provide water outlet temperatures of up to 60°C down to -10°C.
Aquarea L Generation
L Generation uses R290, a natural refrigerant with a lower GWP and ODP than R32 refrigerants.
However, it has a lower volumetric cooling capacity than R32, meaning that it’s less efficient in terms of cooling power per unit volume of refrigerant. In fact, R32’s cooling capacity per unit volume falls around 87% more than R290’s.
What makes L models slightly better than the K models is that they produce higher water outlet temperatures, making them more suitable for use with existing radiator systems.
Comparison Table of Panasonic Aquarea Air-to-Water Heat Pumps
| Feature | Aquarea K Generation | Aquarea L Generation |
| Type | Mono-bloc and bi-bloc | Mono-bloc and bi-bloc |
| Zoning options | Single-zone and multi-zone available | Single-zone and multi-zone available |
| Refrigerant | R32 | R290 |
| Water outlet temperatures | Up to 60°C down to -10°C | Up to 75°C down to -10°C |
| Connection type | Refrigerant connection between Indoor and outdoor units | Hydraulic connection between the indoor and outdoor unit |
| Minimum outdoor temperature | -25°C | -25°C |
| Maximum supply temperature for heating | 60°C | 75°C |
Why Buy a Panasonic Air Source Heat Pump?
While Panasonic isn’t particularly well-known for its heat pump systems, the company has been quietly building a strong reputation for its air source heat pumps.
In 2022, Panasonic’s Aquarea K and L Generation heat pumps were awarded the Good Design Awards, an event sponsored by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion. Among all 5,700+ entries, Panasonic was selected as one of the 100 winners.
This is to say that Panasonic’s air source heat pumps are among the best and most efficient in the market. With above-average SEER and HSPF, Panasonic’s air source heat pumps deliver exceptional energy savings and consistent comfort throughout the year.
Moreover, Panasonic’s heat pumps are often cheaper than other big-brand models like LG, Mitsubishi, and Daikin. So if you’re looking for top-tier performance at a pocket-friendly cost, Panasonic is worth the consideration.
Which Size Panasonic Air Heat Pump Is Right for Your Home?
Panasonic offers a range of heat pump models with different capacities to accommodate various home sizes and climates.
HVAC capacities are measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units) and tons, for heating and cooling respectively.
BTU represents the amount of heat needed to raise one pound of liquid water by one degree Fahrenheit, while one ton of cooling capacity is equivalent to 12,000 BTUs per hour.
Here’s a handy sizing guide for Panasonic heat pumps based on room size:
| Home size (in square feet) | Heat pump size (in BTUs) | Heat pump size (in tons) |
| 500 square feet | 12,000 BTUs | 1 ton |
| 1,000 square feet | 24,000 BTUs | 2 tons |
| 1,500 square feet | 36,000 BTUs | 3 tons |
| 2,000 square feet | 48,000 BTUs | 4 tons |
| 2,500 square feet | 60,000 BTUs | 5 tons |
| 3,000 square feet | 72,000 BTUs | 6 tons |
Final Thoughts
You can’t go wrong with a Panasonic heat pump. Regardless of the model you choose, you’re guaranteed to get a high-quality, energy-efficient system that will serve your home well for years to come. With impressive SEER and HSPF ratings, these heat pumps can significantly reduce your energy bills while maintaining optimal comfort levels in your home.