Quick answer: A Hitachi heat pump is a solid, well-made choice for well-insulated homes and anyone who wants a simple monobloc. The Yutaki M Series 2 runs on R32, comes in 4.3kW to 8kW sizes and has a SCOP of 4.46 at 35°C. The catch is its 60°C maximum flow temperature, which is lower than many newer R290 heat pumps, so it suits homes with good insulation or larger radiators best.
Hitachi’s Yutaki range has been sold in the UK for well over a decade. This review draws on Hitachi’s published data, UK merchant listings and trade press, explained the way I would on a survey visit.
Hitachi Heat Pump Review: At a Glance
The Hitachi Yutaki M Series 2 is the model most homeowners will be offered: a compact R32 monobloc with 60°C water and quiet running. Here’s the headline information.
| Feature | Hitachi Yutaki range |
|---|---|
| Brand | Hitachi Cooling & Heating |
| Main domestic model | Yutaki M Series 2 (monobloc), launched in the UK in April 2025 |
| Other models | Yutaki S and S Combi (split systems), larger Yutaki M sizes, Yutaki S80 (high temperature) |
| Yutaki M Series 2 sizes | 4.3kW to 8kW, single phase |
| Refrigerant | R32 on the Yutaki M Series 2, S and S Combi |
| Maximum flow temperature | 60°C on the Yutaki M Series 2, held down to -7°C outdoors; up to 80°C on the Yutaki S80 |
| SCOP (Yutaki M Series 2) | 4.46 at 35°C, around 3.2 at 55°C |
| Quoted noise | As low as 30 dB(A) at 5 metres, with a night mode |
| Controls | PC-ARFH2E colour controller and the CSNET Home app |
| Warranty | 5 years as standard on the Yutaki range |
| Home Energy Scotland grant | Up to £7,500 (£9,000 with the rural/island uplift) |
| Best for | Newer or well-insulated homes, underfloor heating, and homes with radiators already sized for lower temperatures |
Is a Hitachi Heat Pump Worth It?
Yes, a Hitachi heat pump is worth it if your home suits a 55°C to 60°C system. The Yutaki M Series 2 is efficient, quiet and straightforward to install, but older homes with small radiators may be better off with a higher-temperature model.
What I like about the Yutaki M Series 2 is how simple it is. Everything sits in one outdoor unit, so there’s no refrigerant pipework coming through your wall. Only water pipes run into the house, and it can feed radiators, underfloor heating or fan coil units, with a separate hot water cylinder for your taps and showers.
The 60°C ceiling is the thing to understand. Many of the stone-built villas and tenement flats we survey in Edinburgh, Musselburgh and Stirling were fitted with radiators sized for a gas boiler running at 70°C or more. A 60°C heat pump can still work well in these homes, but it often means upgrading a few radiators. In a 1990s or newer house in Livingston or Dunfermline with decent insulation, it’s usually a much easier fit.
Pros and Cons of Hitachi Heat Pumps
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Simple monobloc design with no refrigerant handling indoors | Yutaki M Series 2 tops out at 60°C, lower than many R290 rivals |
| Quiet: as low as 30 dB(A) at 5 metres, plus a night mode | Series 2 monobloc only goes up to 8kW, so bigger homes need an older or larger model |
| Good SCOP of 4.46 at 35°C | R32 refrigerant, while many newer heat pumps have moved to R290 |
| Split and Combi options with a built-in hot water tank | Less widely known in the UK than the biggest heat pump brands |
| Yutaki S80 can reach 80°C for very hard-to-heat homes | No verified, heat pump specific consumer ratings to lean on |
| 5-year warranty as standard and app control via CSNET Home | The R290 airH2O range hasn’t been confirmed for UK homes yet |
How Efficient Are Hitachi Heat Pumps?
Hitachi heat pumps are efficient, with SCOP figures of around 4.5 at a 35°C flow and 3.2 to 3.45 at 55°C. In plain English, that means roughly 4 to 4.5 units of heat for every unit of electricity on underfloor heating, and just over 3 units on radiators.
SCOP (seasonal coefficient of performance) averages performance across a whole heating season, so it’s the best single figure for comparing running costs. These are “average climate” figures, the standard used in the UK.
| Model | Size | SCOP 35°C | SCOP 55°C | ErP class (35°C / 55°C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yutaki M Series 2 | 4.3kW | 4.46 | 3.2 | A++ (Hitachi rating) |
| Yutaki S / S Combi Series 2 | 3.5kW | 4.46 | 3.2 | Not published in the data I checked |
| Yutaki S / S Combi (R32) | 4.3kW | 4.57 | 3.32 | A+++ / A++ |
| Yutaki S / S Combi (R32) | 6kW | 4.50 | 3.25 | A+++ / A++ |
| Yutaki S / S Combi (R32) | 8kW | 4.50 | 3.20 | A+++ / A++ |
| Yutaki S / S Combi (R410A) | 11kW | 4.65 | 3.45 | A+++ / A++ |
| Yutaki S / S Combi (R410A) | 14kW | 4.65 | 3.39 | A+++ / A++ |
| Yutaki S / S Combi (R410A) | 16kW | 4.12 | 3.42 | A++ / A++ |
Here’s what that means for your bills. With electricity at around 26p/kWh under the Ofgem price cap for 1 October to 31 December 2026, a Hitachi running at a SCOP of 3.2 produces heat for roughly 8p per kWh. A gas boiler at 90% efficiency, with gas at around 8p/kWh, works out at nearly 9p per kWh of heat. On underfloor heating at a SCOP of 4.46, the heat pump drops to under 6p per kWh. These are unit-rate sums only, with no standing charges, but they show why a low flow temperature and a good tariff make such a difference. Our guide to heat pump running costs in Scotland goes into much more detail.
Hitachi Air Source Heat Pump Models
Hitachi’s UK domestic range is built around the Yutaki name: the Yutaki M monobloc, the Yutaki S split and S Combi, and the high-temperature Yutaki S80. Hitachi has also launched a new R290 range in Europe called airH2O. Here’s how they line up.
| Model | Refrigerant | Sizes (kW) | Max flow temp | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yutaki M Series 2 | R32 | 4.3 to 8 | 60°C (held down to -7°C outdoors) | Monobloc, single phase; UK launch April 2025 |
| Yutaki M (earlier R32 range) | R32 | Up to 16 | 55°C to 60°C depending on size | Monobloc; larger sizes, including a three-phase 16kW, still listed by UK merchants |
| Yutaki S Series 2 | R32 | 3.5 to 8 | 60°C (held down to -5°C outdoors) | Split system with indoor unit; separate hot water cylinder |
| Yutaki S Combi Series 2 | R32 | 3.5 to 8 | 60°C (held down to -5°C outdoors) | Split system with a built-in stainless steel hot water tank |
| Yutaki S / S Combi (larger sizes) | R410A | 11, 14, 16 | Rated at 55°C | Single or three phase; S Combi has a 220 litre tank |
| Yutaki S80 | R410A and R134a (two-stage) | 11, 14, 16 | 80°C | High-temperature split for hard-to-heat homes; separate cylinder |
| airH2O 800 | R290 | 4 to 14 | 75°C | Launched in Europe in 2025; UK availability not confirmed at the time of writing |
Yutaki M Series 2
The Yutaki M Series 2 is Hitachi’s main monobloc for homes. It was first shown in Europe in late 2024 and launched in the UK in April 2025. It runs on R32, comes in sizes from 4.3kW to 8kW, and Hitachi quotes a COP of up to 5.0 and a SCOP of 4.46.
Hitachi says it can hold 60°C water down to -7°C outside, and it’s quoted as quiet as 30 dB(A) at 5 metres. It’s compatible with radiators, underfloor heating and fan coils, and pairs with a remote hot water tank.
Yutaki S and S Combi
The Yutaki S is a split system. A smaller outdoor unit connects to an indoor unit through refrigerant pipes, so it needs an F-gas qualified installer. The S Combi is the same idea, but with the hot water tank built into the indoor unit, which is handy if you’d rather keep everything together in a utility room or garage. The Series 2 versions run from 3.5kW, which Hitachi describes as ideal for new builds, up to 8kW.
Yutaki S80
The Yutaki S80 is Hitachi’s very high temperature option, able to produce water at up to 80°C. It uses a two-stage refrigerant system (R410A and R134a) and comes in 11kW, 14kW and 16kW sizes. It’s designed for homes where swapping radiators isn’t practical. It’s an older design using refrigerants with a much higher global warming potential, so I’d check current availability and look at newer high-temperature options before choosing it. Our guide to high-temperature heat pumps explains the alternatives.
Is There a Hitachi R290 Heat Pump?
Yes, in Europe. In 2025 Hitachi launched the airH2O 800 R290, available as a monobloc and a hydro-split, from 4kW to 14kW, with heating water up to 75°C. At the time of writing I couldn’t confirm that it’s on sale for UK homes, so if you’re keen on an R290 Hitachi, ask us and we’ll check what’s available.
For controls, the Yutaki M Series 2 uses the PC-ARFH2E colour controller, which doubles as a room thermostat, and the CSNET Home app lets you run it from your phone.
How Much Does a Hitachi Heat Pump Cost?
A Hitachi heat pump will typically cost about the same as other air source heat pumps once installed. The Energy Saving Trust puts the typical cost of installing an air source heat pump at around £14,000 before grants. Your actual price depends on the size, the cylinder, and how much work your radiators and pipework need, and it’s fixed after a survey.
For the hardware alone, one UK merchant lists a Hitachi Yutaki M 8kW R32 outdoor unit at £3,370 including VAT and the 16kW at £4,550. The controller, cylinder, radiators, electrics, commissioning and labour all come on top, and that’s where most of the cost goes.
The good news is that Scottish homeowners get very generous support:
- Home Energy Scotland grant: up to £7,500 towards an air-to-water heat pump, or £9,000 with the rural and island uplift. You must have a written offer before any work starts, and both the installer and the product must be MCS certified.
- Home Energy Scotland loan: an optional interest-free loan of up to £7,500 on top of the grant.
- Warm Homes Loan Scheme: low and zero-interest loans of up to £20,000 for an air-to-water heat pump, with some terms up to 30 years. It can be combined with the Home Energy Scotland grant, and we’re part of the scheme.
You might have seen the Boiler Upgrade Scheme mentioned online, but that’s for England and Wales only. Our Home Energy Scotland grant and loan guide walks you through the application, and you can read more about the Warm Homes Loan Scheme in Scotland here.
What Property Types Suit a Hitachi Heat Pump?
A Hitachi Yutaki M Series 2 suits flats, semis and smaller detached homes with reasonable insulation, especially with underfloor heating or generously sized radiators. Larger or draughtier homes may need a bigger Yutaki model or a higher-temperature heat pump.
- Flats and small homes: the 3.5kW Yutaki S Series 2 or the 4.3kW Yutaki M Series 2. The S Combi works nicely where there’s no loft or cupboard for a separate cylinder.
- Semis and terraces: the 6kW or 8kW Yutaki M Series 2 is a common fit for the post-war semis and ex-council homes we see in Dalkeith, Bathgate and Kirkcaldy, especially after loft and cavity wall insulation.
- Newer homes and underfloor heating: this is where Hitachi shines, as low flow temperatures bring out that 4.46 SCOP.
- Older stone-built homes: a 60°C system can work, but expect some radiator upgrades. Our guide on whether you need to replace your radiators covers this.
- Larger and rural homes: the larger Yutaki M or Yutaki S sizes go up to 16kW, with three-phase options. For Borders farmhouses or big Perthshire properties, we’d look closely at heat loss first.
We work out the heat loss room by room, and our guide on what size heat pump you need explains how. If you’re worried about neighbours, our guide to heat pump noise explains what figures like 30 dB(A) at 5 metres mean.
Hitachi Heat Pump Maintenance Requirements
A Hitachi heat pump should be serviced once a year by a trained engineer. It keeps the system efficient, catches small issues early and helps protect your warranty, so keep a record of every visit.
A typical annual service includes:
- Cleaning the water filter and checking for sludge
- Checking system pressure, the expansion vessel and frost protection
- Clearing debris from the outdoor unit and checking the coil
- Checking the controller, sensors and weather compensation settings
On split systems like the Yutaki S, S Combi and S80, only an F-gas qualified engineer should work on the refrigerant circuit. Between services, keep the outdoor unit clear of snow, ice and garden growth, which matters in a proper Scottish winter. If you’d like us to look after it, see our heat pump aftercare plans.
What Are the Ratings for Hitachi Heat Pumps?
There isn’t a reliable, heat pump specific consumer rating for Hitachi that I’d lean on yet.
Trustpilot
When I checked in November 2026, the Trustpilot profile for hitachiaircon.com was unclaimed and had only two reviews, one of them about a Yutaki S80. That’s far too few to tell you anything useful, so I wouldn’t read anything into the score either way.
Which?
In its heat pump buying guide, Which? asked heat pump brands for product data. It says Hitachi replied but was unable to supply answers at the time, so there’s no Which? data or score to quote. I’d put more weight on your installer’s reviews and track record.
How Does Hitachi Compare?
Hitachi compares well on efficiency and noise, but it’s behind the biggest brands on flow temperature and refrigerant, as Daikin and Mitsubishi both now offer R290 models that run hotter.
- Hitachi vs Daikin: Daikin’s Altherma range is very popular in the UK. Most models use R32, like the Yutaki, but the newer Altherma 4 H runs on R290 at 70°C to 75°C. Read our Daikin heat pump review for the full picture.
- Hitachi vs Mitsubishi Ecodan: the Ecodan R290 reaches 75°C in sizes from 5kW to 12kW and is made in Livingston, West Lothian. The Yutaki M Series 2 stops at 60°C and 8kW, so the Ecodan is the stronger fit for older homes with radiators. See our Mitsubishi Ecodan review.
Is a Hitachi Heat Pump Right for You?
A Hitachi heat pump is right for you if your home is reasonably well insulated and you want a quiet, efficient and simple monobloc. It’s less suited to older homes that need high flow temperatures, unless you’re happy to upgrade radiators.
Choose Hitachi If…
- Your home is newer or well insulated, or has underfloor heating
- You want a simple monobloc with no refrigerant pipework indoors
- Low noise matters, for example in a terrace or close to neighbours
- You’d like a Combi unit with the hot water tank built in to save space
Don’t Choose Hitachi If…
- You have a draughty older home and want to keep your existing small radiators
- You specifically want an R290 natural refrigerant model available in the UK today
- Your home needs more than 8kW and you want the latest Series 2 monobloc
- You actually want air-to-air heating, which isn’t eligible for the Home Energy Scotland grant (we now fit air-to-air systems too, so just ask)
Get a Free Heat Pump Quote From The Edinburgh Boiler Company
If a Hitachi heat pump sounds like a good fit, we’d be happy to help. As one of Scotland’s leading MCS-certified heat pump installers, we’ll survey your home, work out the heat loss properly and give you a fixed price. We’ll help you apply for the Home Energy Scotland grant and loan, and as part of the Warm Homes Loan Scheme we can talk you through low-interest finance too.
We cover Edinburgh, Musselburgh, Dalkeith, Penicuik, Livingston, Bathgate, Linlithgow, Falkirk, Stirling, Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy, Perth, Glasgow and the Borders. Book your free heat pump survey or find out more about our heat pump installation service.
Hitachi Heat Pump FAQs
Who makes Hitachi heat pumps?
Hitachi heat pumps are made by Bosch Home Comfort Group under licence from Hitachi, Ltd., and sold as Hitachi Cooling & Heating. Bosch bought the Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning joint venture as part of a deal completed in summer 2025, and uses the Hitachi brand under a long-term licence.
Is Hitachi a good heat pump brand?
Yes. Hitachi is a well-established manufacturer and the Yutaki range has been sold in the UK for many years. The Yutaki M Series 2 is efficient and quiet, though its 60°C maximum flow temperature means it suits well-insulated homes best.
What is the Hitachi Yutaki M?
The Yutaki M is Hitachi’s monobloc air source heat pump, with all the refrigerant sealed in the outdoor unit. The current Yutaki M Series 2 uses R32, comes in 4.3kW to 8kW sizes and heats water up to 60°C.
What’s the difference between Hitachi Yutaki M and Yutaki S?
The Yutaki M is a monobloc, so only water pipes come into your home. The Yutaki S is a split system with refrigerant pipes to an indoor unit, and the S Combi adds a built-in hot water tank.
Does a Hitachi heat pump work in a Scottish winter?
Yes. Hitachi says the Yutaki M Series 2 holds 60°C water down to -7°C outside, and it carries on heating in colder weather. Getting the size right for your home is what keeps it comfortable on the coldest days.
How long is the Hitachi heat pump warranty?
The Yutaki range comes with a 5-year warranty as standard. Some terms depend on approved commissioning and regular servicing, so ask your installer exactly what’s covered.
Is a Hitachi heat pump eligible for the Home Energy Scotland grant?
Yes, as long as the model is MCS certified, it’s fitted by an MCS-certified installer and it provides all your heating and hot water. You need a written grant offer before work starts. Use our grant checker to see what you could get.
