
Mitsubishi Electric’s Ecodan is one of the best known heat pumps in Britain, and for good reason. It has been installed in hundreds of thousands of UK homes, and many Ecodan units are built in Scotland, specifically for European weather.
In this Mitsubishi heat pump review, we explain what the Ecodan range offers, what it costs, how efficient it is in real homes and how it compares with rivals like Daikin, Vaillant and Samsung.
We install air source heat pumps across London, the South East, the South West and South Wales, from Victorian terraces in Brighton to new builds on the edge of Bristol. This review is based on that experience, so you can decide with confidence whether a Mitsubishi heat pump is right for your home or rental property.
Mitsubishi Electric offers an established range of air source heat pumps designed to provide efficient, reliable heating for UK homes. Its Ecodan range includes models manufactured in Britain, backed by an extensive installer network and UK after-sales support.
With options suited to different property sizes and heating requirements, Mitsubishi is worth considering for homeowners looking to switch to low-carbon heating. The table below summarises the key features, benefits and potential drawbacks of Mitsubishi heat pumps.
| What you need to know | Mitsubishi Ecodan heat pumps |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Mitsubishi Electric, Tokyo, Japan (Ecodan built in Livingston, Scotland) |
| Main UK models | Ecodan R290, Ecodan R32 Ultra Quiet, Ecodan QUHZ (CO2), Zubadan |
| Output sizes | Roughly 4kW to 14kW for homes, larger with linked units |
| Refrigerant | R290 (natural propane), R32, or CO2 depending on model |
| Maximum flow temperature | Up to 75°C (R290), around 60°C (R32), up to 90°C (CO2 model) |
| Efficiency (SCOP) | Around 4.4 to 5.0 at 35°C, around 3.4 to 3.8 at 55°C (approximate) |
| Energy rating | A+++ for low temperature heating |
| Works down to | Around minus 25°C outdoors, colder for Zubadan models |
| Noise | Ultra Quiet models are among the quietest on the market |
| Unit price (supply only) | Roughly £4,000 to £8,000 |
| Typical installed cost | Roughly £10,500 to £16,000 before grant |
| Cost after £7,500 grant | Roughly £3,000 to £8,500 |
| Typical running costs | Around £800 to £1,150 a year for a 3 bed semi (tariff dependent) |
| Trustpilot | Mitsubishi Electric UK has a mixed score, covering many product types |
| Which? | Generally one of the stronger performers in Which? heat pump brand surveys, check the latest score |
| Warranty | Up to 7 years through Mitsubishi Electric accredited installers |
| Servicing | Once a year, usually £120 to £200 |
| Smart controls | MELCloud app, wall controller, Alexa and Google Assistant support |
| Best for | Almost all UK homes, especially buyers who want a proven, widely supported brand |
| Grant eligible | Yes, MCS certified models qualify for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme |
Get a free heat pump quote for your home. EE Renewables provides expert air source heat pump installation across Southern England, Greater London, South West England and South Wales, including London, Brighton, Oxford, Southampton, Bristol and Cardiff.
We will survey your home, calculate its heat loss room by room and recommend the right brand, model and size. Get in touch today for a free air source heat pump quote tailored to your location.
Mitsubishi heat pumps are worth it for most UK homeowners and landlords who want a proven, reliable system with excellent support and easy access to engineers and spare parts. They are not the cheapest option, but the Ecodan’s long UK track record makes it one of the safest choices on the market.
It launched the Ecodan air source heat pump in Europe in the late 2000s and builds many of the units sold in Britain at its factory in Livingston, Scotland. Mitsubishi Electric has invested heavily in that site to expand heat pump production for the UK and European markets.
The Ecodan has become one of the most widely installed heat pumps in the UK, which means most heat pump engineers know it well. Daikin is its closest rival on reputation and network size.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| One of the most proven heat pumps in the UK, with a long track record | More expensive upfront than LG, Samsung, Grant or the Octopus Cosy 6 |
| Many units built in Scotland, with strong UK parts and support | R32 Ultra Quiet models reach lower flow temperatures than R290 rivals |
| Huge installer and engineer network | Range and model names can be confusing |
| Ultra Quiet models are very quiet | Extended warranty depends on accredited installers and registration |
| R290 Ecodan reaches 75°C for older radiators | The MELCloud app is functional but less modern than some newer rivals |
| Cold climate Zubadan and CO2 models for special cases | Shorter headline warranty than Vaillant, Viessmann or Aira |
| Strong performance in Which? brand surveys | Popular brand, so lead times can stretch at busy times |
Choose Mitsubishi if…
Do Not Choose Mitsubishi If…
A Mitsubishi heat pump costs roughly £10,500 to £16,000 fully installed before any grant, or around £3,000 to £8,500 after the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant. The Ecodan unit itself typically costs £4,000 to £8,000, depending on the model and output.
| Mitsubishi model | Output | Typical property | Unit only (approx) | Installed before grant (approx) | Installed after £7,500 grant (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ecodan R32 Ultra Quiet | 4kW to 6kW | Bungalows, terraces and smaller semis | £4,000 to £4,800 | £10,500 to £12,000 | £3,000 to £4,500 |
| Ecodan R32 Ultra Quiet | 8.5kW to 14kW | 3 to 4 bed semis and detached homes | £4,800 to £6,500 | £11,500 to £14,500 | £4,000 to £7,000 |
| Ecodan R290 | 5kW to 8kW | Older homes keeping radiators | £4,800 to £6,000 | £11,000 to £13,500 | £3,500 to £6,000 |
| Ecodan R290 | 10kW to 14kW | Larger and older 4 to 5 bed homes | £6,000 to £7,500 | £13,000 to £16,000 | £5,500 to £8,500 |
| Ecodan QUHZ (CO2) | Around 4kW | Homes needing very hot water, small heat loads | £6,500 to £8,000 | £13,500 to £16,000 | £6,000 to £8,500 |
These are approximate 2026 prices. Your real cost depends on your home’s heat loss, how many radiators need upgrading and whether you need a new cylinder. Mitsubishi’s range changes over time, so we will always confirm the latest models in your quote.
Government Boiler Upgrade Scheme data puts the average installed air source heat pump at around £12,000 to £13,000 before the grant, so most Mitsubishi installs sit close to or slightly above average. Mitsubishi is usually priced similarly to Daikin and Panasonic, a little below Vaillant and Viessmann, and above value focused brands like Hisense, Gree and Haier.
Other costs to budget for with a Mitsubishi heat pump depend mainly on your existing heating system. Common extras include:
Installations also benefit from 0% VAT in Great Britain until 31 March 2027.
The Mitsubishi heat pump models available in the UK are all part of the Ecodan family, including the Ecodan R290, the Ecodan R32 Ultra Quiet, the CO2 based Ecodan QUHZ and the cold climate Zubadan range. Each suits a slightly different type of home.
The Ecodan R290 is Mitsubishi’s newest monobloc range, using natural R290 refrigerant with a global warming potential of just 3, compared with 675 for R32. It can heat water up to 75°C, which makes it a strong option for older homes that want to keep most of their radiators. It competes head to head with the Vaillant aroTHERM plus, the LG Therma V R290 and the Viessmann Vitocal 150-A.
The Ecodan R32 Ultra Quiet is one of the UK’s most popular heat pumps, known for its very low noise and reliable performance. It reaches flow temperatures of around 60°C, which suits modern homes and well designed radiator systems. It is a natural rival to the Daikin Altherma 3 M and Samsung EHS Mono.
The Ecodan QUHZ uses CO2 as its refrigerant and can produce water up to 90°C. It is a specialist option, often used where very hot water is needed or in smaller, efficient homes. Few brands offer a domestic CO2 heat pump, which makes this a niche but interesting choice.
The Zubadan range is designed for very cold climates and keeps its full heat output at much lower outdoor temperatures than standard models. In the mild South of England, it is rarely essential, but it can help in exposed rural homes. Hitachi and Stiebel Eltron also make heat pumps aimed at colder conditions.
Mitsubishi heat pumps are very efficient, with seasonal efficiency (SCOP) figures of around 4.4 to 5.0 when heating at 35°C. In plain terms, every 1kWh of electricity you use produces around 4.4 to 5kWh of heat. A modern gas boiler, by comparison, turns 1kWh of gas into about 0.9kWh of heat.
Most UK homes with radiators run at around 45°C to 50°C, where a well designed Ecodan system typically achieves a SCOP of around 3.5 to 4. That puts Mitsubishi on a level with Daikin, Vaillant and Nibe, and ahead of many budget brands on paper.
SCOP and COP are the two main measures of heat pump efficiency. COP (coefficient of performance) shows efficiency at one moment in time. SCOP (seasonal coefficient of performance) averages performance across a whole year, including the coldest days, so it is the better guide to running costs.
Installation quality matters because even a top brand will underperform if it is oversized, set up badly or paired with undersized radiators. Real world data from the Heat Pump Monitor project includes many Ecodan systems achieving SCOPs above 3.5, and some well above 4, when designed properly. Every EE Renewables quote starts with a room by room heat loss calculation for exactly this reason.
A Mitsubishi heat pump costs around £800 to £1,150 a year to run in a typical 3 bed semi detached home, depending on your tariff, insulation and comfort settings. A heat pump tariff can lower this further.
Here is a simple example. A typical UK home needs around 11,500kWh of heat a year. An Ecodan system running at a SCOP of 3.8 would use about 3,000kWh of electricity. At around 26p per kWh, that comes to roughly £790 a year. On a time of use heat pump tariff, such as Octopus Cosy or similar deals from other suppliers, many households pay less.
Compared with a gas boiler, running costs are usually similar or a little lower. Savings are much larger when replacing oil, LPG or electric storage heaters, which are common in rural Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Devon and South Wales. Removing your gas supply also saves the gas standing charge, roughly £100 to £130 a year.
Running cost figures are estimates. Energy prices change every quarter under the Ofgem price cap, so check your current tariff.
Mitsubishi heat pumps are among the quietest on the UK market, especially the Ecodan Ultra Quiet range, which was designed with low noise as a priority. From a few metres away, a running Ecodan produces a soft hum that is often quieter than a fridge. Night time settings reduce fan speed further.
That makes the Ecodan a strong choice for terraced streets and small gardens in London, Brighton and Bristol, where units often sit close to a neighbour’s window. The Octopus Cosy 6 and Viessmann Vitocal 250-A are also known for quiet running, and the Ecodan sits comfortably among them.
To install under permitted development in England, a heat pump must meet the MCS noise limit of 42 dB(A) at the nearest neighbour’s habitable room. England relaxed its rules in 2025, so the unit no longer has to sit a full metre from your boundary, but the noise test still applies.
Wales has separate rules, so homeowners in Cardiff, Swansea and Newport should check before installing. We include a noise check in every survey.
Mitsubishi heat pumps work very well in cold weather, with standard Ecodan models running down to around minus 25°C and Zubadan models designed to keep full output in even colder conditions. British winters, particularly in the South of England and South Wales, are well within their range.
All heat pumps lose some efficiency as temperatures fall. On a frosty morning in Oxford or the Brecon Beacons, an Ecodan might run at a COP of around 2.5 to 3, still producing two and a half to three times more heat than the electricity it uses.
Because many Ecodan units are designed and built in Scotland, they are tuned for damp, cool British weather. You may see steam rising during short defrost cycles, which is normal.
A Mitsubishi heat pump installation involves a home survey, a heat loss calculation, a system design and usually two to five days of fitting work. Here is how it works with EE Renewables:
Mitsubishi sells through independent installers, much like Daikin, Worcester Bosch and Ideal. That means you can compare several quotes for the same heat pump, unlike direct sellers such as Aira and Octopus.
The main grant you can get for a Mitsubishi heat pump is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which takes £7,500 off the cost of an air source heat pump in England and Wales. Your installer applies for the grant and deducts it from your bill.
To qualify, you need to own the property, including rental homes, have a valid EPC with no outstanding loft or cavity wall insulation recommendations, and be replacing a fossil fuel or older electric heating system. Since 2022, the scheme has funded well over 100,000 heat pump installations.
Other help may also be available:
Landlords can claim the grant on rental properties, and a heat pump can help lift a property’s EPC rating as minimum standards for rented homes tighten.
The smart controls that come with Mitsubishi heat pumps include a wall mounted main controller and the MELCloud app, which lets you adjust temperatures, set schedules, control hot water and check energy use from your phone. MELCloud also works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
MELCloud is reliable and widely used, though its design feels a little older than newer apps from Aira and Octopus. It offers more detail than the basic controls supplied with brands like Dimplex. Landlords can use it to monitor systems remotely and spot problems early.
A Mitsubishi heat pump needs servicing once a year to stay efficient and keep your extended warranty valid. An annual service usually costs around £120 to £200 and takes an hour or two.
During a service, the engineer checks the refrigerant circuit, cleans filters and strainers, tests water pressure and inhibitor levels, inspects the outdoor unit and checks the controls. Because the Ecodan is so widely installed, finding a trained engineer is easy across the UK. Between services, keep the outdoor unit clear of leaves, snow and clutter.
The Mitsubishi heat pump warranty can extend up to 7 years when your Ecodan is installed by a Mitsubishi Electric accredited installer and registered correctly. Standard cover without accreditation or registration is shorter, and terms vary by model, so always check the warranty in your quote.
Here is how Mitsubishi compares with other popular brands. These are typical “up to” figures, most of which depend on registration, approved installers and annual servicing.
| Brand | Typical warranty (up to) |
|---|---|
| Mitsubishi Ecodan | Up to 7 years via accredited installers |
| Daikin Altherma | Up to 7 years via Stand By Me |
| Grant Aerona | Up to 7 years |
| Worcester Bosch | Up to 7 years on selected models |
| Vaillant aroTHERM plus | Up to 10 years |
| Viessmann Vitocal | 7 to 10 years on selected models |
| LG Therma V | 5 years standard, longer through approved installers |
| Aira | Up to 15 years with its own packages |
Mitsubishi’s cover is in line with Daikin and Grant, while Vaillant, Viessmann and Aira offer longer headline guarantees.
The things to check in a Mitsubishi heat pump warranty are whether your installer is accredited, what the warranty covers and what keeps it valid. Check:
We register your Mitsubishi warranty for you and explain exactly what is covered at handover.
Mitsubishi heat pumps are best suited for almost every type of UK home, from small bungalows to large older houses, thanks to the wide Ecodan range and choice of refrigerants. Their quiet running makes them especially good for the tightly packed terraces of London, Brighton, Bath and Cardiff.
| Property type | Is Mitsubishi a good fit? | Recommended Mitsubishi model |
|---|---|---|
| Victorian and Edwardian terraces | Yes, especially where noise matters | Ecodan R290 or R32 Ultra Quiet |
| 1930s semis | Yes, a very common match | Ecodan R290 or R32 Ultra Quiet |
| Modern semis and detached homes | Yes, ideal | Ecodan R32 Ultra Quiet |
| Large or rural detached homes | Yes, great for replacing oil or LPG | Ecodan R290 (larger outputs) or Zubadan |
| Bungalows | Yes | Ecodan R32 Ultra Quiet 4kW to 6kW |
| New builds | Yes, works well with underfloor heating | Ecodan R32 Ultra Quiet |
| Small, efficient homes needing very hot water | Sometimes | Ecodan QUHZ (CO2) |
| Flats with no outdoor space | Usually not | Consider other options |
| Listed buildings and conservation areas | Possibly, with planning permission | Survey needed |
Mitsubishi heat pumps for landlords are a very safe choice, because almost any heat pump engineer in the UK can service or repair an Ecodan and parts are easy to source. That keeps downtime for tenants to a minimum. For lower value rentals, Baxi, Ideal or a budget brand may give a quicker payback, but Mitsubishi’s support network is hard to beat across a portfolio. Landlords can claim the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant on rental properties in England and Wales.
Homes where another brand might suit you better include homes on a tight budget, where LG, Samsung or the Octopus Cosy 6 may cost less, and buyers who want the longest warranty, where Vaillant or Viessmann lead. Very large properties needing linked cascade systems may also suit Nibe, Stiebel Eltron or York. Our survey always recommends the right system for your home.
EE Renewables Ltd offers free, no-obligation heat pump quotes to help you understand the installation costs, explore potential energy savings and find the right system for your property.
Whether you are interested in Mitsubishi’s Ecodan range or want to compare other leading brands, our experienced team can help you choose a heat pump that balances performance, energy efficiency and long-term running costs.
Request your free air source heat pump quote from EE Renewables today and discover whether a Mitsubishi Ecodan heat pump is the right choice for your property.
We provide expert air source heat pump installation across Southern England, Greater London, South West England and South Wales, including London, Brighton, Oxford, Southampton, Bristol, Cardiff and surrounding areas.
Whether you are a homeowner replacing an ageing gas or oil boiler or a landlord looking to improve your rental property’s EPC rating, our team can help you explore suitable heating solutions and make an informed decision.
Mitsubishi heat pumps typically last 15 to 20 years when installed properly and serviced every year. That is longer than most gas boilers, which usually last 10 to 15 years. The Ecodan’s wide parts availability also makes it easier to keep an older unit running.
No, the Mitsubishi Ecodan is not the same as Mitsubishi air conditioning, although both are made by Mitsubishi Electric. Ecodan is an air to water heat pump that heats your radiators and hot water, while Mitsubishi air conditioners are air to air systems that blow warm or cool air into a room. Only air to water heat pumps like the Ecodan qualify for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant.
Yes, a Mitsubishi Ecodan can be set up as a hybrid system working alongside a gas boiler, with the boiler only helping on the coldest days. However, the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant is only available when the heat pump fully replaces your fossil fuel heating, so a hybrid system will not qualify.
Yes, a Mitsubishi heat pump can work with solar panels and a home battery. Running the Ecodan while your panels are generating, or using stored solar power later in the day, can noticeably reduce running costs. Your installer can set up the controls to make the most of your solar power.
Some Mitsubishi Ecodan models can provide cooling, but it works best with underfloor heating or fan coil units rather than standard radiators. Radiators are not designed for cooling and can collect condensation. If summer cooling is important to you, ask your installer which set up would work best for your home.