Quick answer: A Samsung heat pump is a strong, good-value choice for most Scottish homes. The current EHS Mono R290 comes in 5, 8, 12 and 16kW sizes, runs on low-impact R290 refrigerant, can produce flow temperatures up to 75°C, and has MCS-listed SCOPs of around 4.6 to 4.8 at 35°C. Fitted by an MCS-certified installer, it qualifies for the Home Energy Scotland grant of up to £7,500. As MCS-certified heat pump installers here at The Edinburgh Boiler Company, we look at every heat pump through an installer’s eyes, so this review focuses on what matters once the unit is fitted to your home.
Samsung is a name everyone knows from phones and TVs, but it also makes a very capable range of home heat pumps under its EHS label. In this Samsung heat pump review I’ll go through the specs, the real efficiency figures, what it costs, how it copes with a Scottish winter and who it suits best, so you can decide whether it belongs on your wall.
Samsung Heat Pump Review: At a Glance
The Samsung EHS Mono R290 is a monobloc air-to-water heat pump that heats your radiators and hot water, with all the refrigerant sealed inside the outdoor unit. Here are the headline figures from Samsung’s own UK product data.
| Feature | Samsung EHS Mono R290 |
|---|---|
| Brand | Samsung (Samsung Climate Solutions) |
| Main UK range | EHS Mono R290 (standard and integrated pump versions) |
| Output sizes | 5kW, 8kW, 12kW, 16kW |
| Refrigerant | R290 (propane), GWP of 3 |
| Maximum flow temperature | 75°C |
| Hot water | Up to 70°C without the booster heater (outdoor -10°C to 43°C) |
| MCS-listed SCOP | 4.57 to 4.84 at 35°C; 3.41 to 3.51 at 55°C |
| Energy rating | A+++ at 35°C, A++ at 55°C |
| Heating operating range | Down to -25°C outdoors; full heating performance to -10°C (at 55°C flow) |
| Sound power | 55 to 65 dB(A) depending on size; quiet mode down to 35 dB(A) sound pressure at 3m |
| Typical installed cost | Around £9,000 to £15,000 before grants |
| Home Energy Scotland grant | Up to £7,500 (£9,000 with rural uplift) |
| Warranty | 2 years standard, up to 7 years through a Samsung-approved installer |
| App | SmartThings (Wi-Fi kit may be needed) |
| Best for | Most family homes, including older properties keeping some existing radiators |
Is a Samsung Heat Pump Worth It?
Yes, for most households a Samsung heat pump is worth it. You get modern R290 technology, a high 75°C flow temperature and solid efficiency at a price that usually sits below the premium European brands. The main things to weigh up are the short standard warranty and the fact that the 12kW and 16kW units are fairly big boxes.
What I like most is that it handles the things that matter in Scotland. It keeps working down to -25°C, holds full heating performance at -10°C, and the higher flow temperature gives older homes more breathing room.
Pros and Cons of Samsung Heat Pumps
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Four sizes from 5kW to 16kW, so most homes are covered | Standard warranty is only 2 years; 7 years depends on approved installation and servicing |
| Flow temperatures up to 75°C for older radiator systems | Running at high flow temperatures all the time reduces efficiency |
| R290 refrigerant with a GWP of just 3 | R290 has siting rules, which can rule out some tight spots |
| Compact 850mm-high casing on the 5kW and 8kW models | 12kW and 16kW units are 1,018mm high and 1,270mm wide |
| SmartThings app control and remote diagnostics for installers | Wi-Fi kit isn’t always included as standard |
| Integrated pump version saves space indoors | Less long-term UK reliability data than some longer-established heating brands |
How Efficient Are Samsung Heat Pumps?
Samsung heat pumps are very efficient. The EHS Mono R290 has MCS-listed SCOPs of 4.57 to 4.84 at a 35°C flow temperature, so it delivers roughly 4.6 to 4.8 units of heat for every unit of electricity across a heating season. At 55°C, that drops to around 3.4 to 3.5.
SCOP (seasonal coefficient of performance) averages performance over a whole year rather than one mild test day, which makes it the fairest figure to compare. Here’s each size, from Samsung’s datasheet.
| Model | Output | SCOP at 35°C | SCOP at 55°C | Sound power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AE050CXYDEK | 5kW | 4.84 | 3.42 | 55 dB(A) |
| AE080CXYDEK | 8kW | 4.66 | 3.41 | 59 dB(A) |
| AE120CXYDEK | 12kW | 4.73 | 3.51 | 60 dB(A) |
| AE160CXYDEK | 16kW | 4.57 | 3.43 | 65 dB(A) |
The gap between those two columns matters most. A Samsung heat pump can run at 75°C, but it costs more to do so, so we design for the lowest flow temperature your home can comfortably run on, often by upgrading a few key radiators. Our guide on whether you’ll need new radiators explains how we work that out.
To give you a feel for running costs, take a home needing 12,000kWh of heat a year. With electricity at around 26p/kWh under the Ofgem price cap for 1 October to 31 December 2026, the unit-rate cost looks roughly like this:
- 8kW Samsung at SCOP 4.66 (35°C flow): about 2,575kWh of electricity, or around £670 a year
- 8kW Samsung at SCOP 3.41 (55°C flow): about 3,520kWh, or around £915 a year
- Gas boiler at 90% efficiency (around 8p/kWh): about 13,330kWh of gas, or around £1,065 a year
These are illustrative unit-rate figures only. Standing charges, hot water use and insulation will all change the real number, and a heat pump tariff can bring costs down further. Have a look at our heat pump running costs in Scotland guide and our round-up of the best heat pump tariffs for more detail.
With a compatible Wi-Fi ClimateHub, SmartThings also offers an AI Energy mode that learns your hot water habits to cut wasted heating.
Samsung Air Source Heat Pump Models
Samsung’s current UK air-to-water range centres on the EHS Mono R290, which comes in a standard version and an integrated pump version. It pairs with Samsung’s ClimateHub indoor unit if you want an all-in-one cylinder, and the older EHS Mono HT Quiet (R32) is still stocked by some UK suppliers.
| Model | Refrigerant | Sizes (kW) | Max flow temp | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EHS Mono R290 (high-temp monobloc) | R290 | 5, 8, 12, 16 | 75°C | Samsung’s main current model. Single-phase and three-phase versions. Pump and controls sit indoors or in a ClimateHub. |
| EHS Mono R290 Pump Integrated | R290 | 5, 8, 12, 16 | 75°C | Pump, expansion tank, control kit and Wi-Fi kit built into the outdoor unit, saving indoor space and install time. Works with a separate heat pump cylinder. |
| Mono ClimateHub (indoor unit) | None (water side only) | 200L or 260L cylinder | n/a | Floor-standing indoor unit combining hydraulics, controls and a stainless steel hot water cylinder. About 595mm wide and 1,800mm high for the 200L version. |
| EHS Mono HT Quiet | R32 | 8, 12, 14 | 70°C | Earlier high-temperature model, still sold by some suppliers. Operates down to -25°C. |
A quick word on sizing. The 5kW and 8kW units are 998mm wide and 850mm high, which tucks neatly against most walls. The 12kW and 16kW step up to 1,270mm wide and 1,018mm high, and weigh 140kg, so they need a bit more thought about where they’ll go. Picking the right size from a proper heat loss survey matters far more than picking the biggest.
R290 Safety and Siting in Plain Terms
R290 is propane, so it’s flammable, but the risk is very well managed. Each Samsung unit holds a small factory-sealed charge (0.63kg on the 5kW up to 1.25kg on the 12kW and 16kW), and because it’s a monobloc, none of that refrigerant ever comes inside your home. Only water runs through the pipes into the house.
The rules your installer follows are mainly about where the outdoor unit sits:
- Samsung specifies a safety zone around the unit that must be free of building openings, such as windows, doors, light wells, roof windows and ventilation inlets or outlets.
- Propane is heavier than air, so the ground in that zone shouldn’t dip into pits, troughs or hollows where gas could collect.
- Engineers clear ignition sources before any servicing work on the refrigerant side.
We check this on every survey. It can occasionally rule out a spot under a window or in a basement light well, but there’s usually a sensible alternative. Our guide to heat pump location rules covers the planning side as well.
R290 siting rules can rule out some spots, so it’s worth getting an expert eye on your garden early. Book a free heat pump survey and we’ll find the best position for your Samsung.
How Much Does a Samsung Heat Pump Cost?
A Samsung air source heat pump typically costs around £9,000 to £15,000 fully installed before grants. With the Home Energy Scotland grant of up to £7,500, many Scottish homeowners pay considerably less, and some pay very little at all.
The heat pump itself is only part of the bill. For reference, in November 2026 City Plumbing listed the 12kW EHS Mono R290 at £4,260 inc. VAT and the 5kW integrated pump model at £2,883.60, while a Mono ClimateHub 200L was listed by another UK supplier at £2,995 inc. VAT. On top of the equipment, the final price depends on:
- The size of unit your heat loss survey calls for
- Whether you choose a separate cylinder or a ClimateHub
- How many radiators need upgrading
- Any pipework changes and electrical work
- Access and groundwork for the outdoor unit
| Scenario | Typical installed cost | After £7,500 HES grant | After £9,000 rural grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smaller, heat pump-ready home | From around £9,000 | From around £1,500 | Very little |
| Larger home, 12kW to 16kW, radiator and pipework upgrades | Up to around £15,000 or more | Around £7,500 or more | Around £6,000 or more |
These are typical ranges only. Your price is fixed after a free survey.
On funding, Home Energy Scotland offers a grant of up to £7,500, rising to £9,000 for eligible rural and island homes, plus an optional interest-free loan of up to £7,500. You must apply and receive a written offer before any work begins, and both the installer and product must be MCS certified. You can read how it works in our Home Energy Scotland grant and loan guide.
We’re also part of the new UK Government Warm Homes Loan Scheme, offering low and zero-interest loans of up to £20,000 for an air-to-water heat pump, with some terms up to 30 years, and it can be combined with Home Energy Scotland grants. Our Warm Homes Loan Scheme explainer has the details. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme you may see mentioned online covers England and Wales only, so it doesn’t apply here.
What Property Types Suit a Samsung Heat Pump?
A Samsung heat pump suits most houses with outdoor space for the unit, from modern estates to older stone-built homes. The wide 5kW to 16kW range and 75°C flow temperature mean it can be matched to a small bungalow or a big detached farmhouse.
- Newer, well-insulated homes: The 5kW and 8kW models suit new-builds and modern semis in places like Livingston, Bathgate and Dunfermline.
- Older stone-built homes: Traditional sandstone villas around Edinburgh, Stirling and Perth often lose heat faster. The higher flow temperature helps here, though we’d still pair it with selective radiator upgrades for better efficiency.
- Larger and rural properties: The 12kW and 16kW units, with three-phase options, suit bigger homes and farmhouses in the Borders and rural Fife that are moving off oil or LPG.
- Tenements and flats: These can be tricky. You need somewhere suitable for the outdoor unit, and the R290 safety zone rules out spots like basement light wells, which are common in Edinburgh’s New Town. We assess each one individually.
Noise is rarely a problem with careful siting. The 5kW unit has a sound power of 55 dB(A), and Samsung’s four-step quiet mode brings sound pressure down to as low as 35 dB(A) at 3m, which suits gardens close to neighbours.
Samsung Heat Pump Maintenance Requirements
A Samsung heat pump needs an annual service by a qualified heat pump engineer, and keeping up with servicing is one of the conditions for Samsung’s extended warranty. Day to day, there’s very little for you to do.
A service covers water pressure and flow, filters, electrical connections, the outdoor coil and fan, and the error history. The internals sit behind a side panel held by just three screws, so it’s quick to work on.
Between visits, a few simple habits help:
- Keep leaves, snow and garden clutter clear of the outdoor unit
- Don’t build anything, like a shed or a planter, into the R290 safety zone
- Keep an eye on SmartThings for alerts or unusual energy use
Samsung’s EHS Cloud Service also lets your installer monitor the system remotely, run pre-diagnosis on faults and sometimes fix minor issues without a visit. Our heat pump aftercare service covers servicing for customers across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and beyond.
What Are the Ratings for Samsung Heat Pumps?
There isn’t a dedicated public review score for Samsung heat pumps alone. Samsung’s UK ratings mostly reflect its phones, TVs and appliances, so the best guide to how a Samsung heat pump performs is the quality of the installation and the installer behind it.
Trustpilot
In November 2026, the Samsung UK Trustpilot profile was rated 4.2 out of 5 (“Great”) from around 42,900 reviews. Almost all of them are about phones, TVs and appliances, so treat it as a guide to Samsung UK’s customer service rather than a heat pump verdict.
Which?
Which? assesses heat pump brands through testing and member surveys, mostly behind its paywall. We couldn’t verify a current Samsung-specific Which? score, so check the Which? website directly if this matters to you.
How Does Samsung Compare?
Samsung compares well with Daikin and Vaillant on specification and usually comes in at a sharper price. Each brand has its own strengths, so here’s a quick summary.
- Samsung vs Daikin: Daikin’s Altherma range is very popular in the UK, and its Altherma 3 models use R32. Samsung’s EHS Mono R290 offers a 75°C flow temperature on a natural refrigerant across all four sizes. See our Daikin heat pump review for the full picture.
- Samsung vs Vaillant: The well-regarded Vaillant aroTHERM plus also runs on R290 and reaches 75°C, with sizes from 3.5kW to 12kW. Samsung goes up to 16kW, which helps larger homes. Our Vaillant heat pump review covers its range in detail.
Still weighing it up? Give us a shout. We’ll talk you through how a Samsung compares for your home and handle the grant paperwork for you. Book your free heat pump survey to get started.
Is a Samsung Heat Pump Right for You?
A Samsung heat pump is right for you if you want a modern, efficient R290 system at a fair price and you have a suitable outdoor spot for the unit. It’s less suited to homes with very little outdoor space or owners who want the longest warranty without conditions.
Choose Samsung If…
- You want a natural refrigerant with a GWP of just 3
- Your home has older radiators and you’d value the option of higher flow temperatures
- You need a larger unit, as the 16kW model covers big properties
- You like app control and want to track energy use through SmartThings
- You want good value without giving up on efficiency
Don’t Choose Samsung If…
- You have no outdoor spot that meets the R290 safety zone rules
- You want a long warranty with no servicing or registration conditions attached
- You’d rather have a brand with a longer track record in UK wet heating systems
- You’re really after air-to-air heating, which works differently and isn’t eligible for the Home Energy Scotland heat pump 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 Samsung heat pump sounds like a good fit, we’d love to help. As one of Scotland’s leading MCS-certified heat pump installers, we’ll survey your home, size the system properly and give you a fixed price, plus help with your Home Energy Scotland application and Warm Homes Loan options.
We cover Edinburgh, Musselburgh, Dalkeith, Penicuik, Livingston, Bathgate, Linlithgow, Falkirk, Stirling, Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy, Perth, Glasgow and the Borders. Find out more about having a Samsung heat pump fitted by our team, or book your free heat pump survey today.
Samsung Heat Pump FAQs
What is Samsung EHS?
EHS is the name Samsung uses for its air-to-water heat pumps for heating and hot water. The current flagship is the EHS Mono R290, a monobloc unit in 5, 8, 12 and 16kW sizes.
Does a Samsung heat pump qualify for the Home Energy Scotland grant?
Yes, if it’s an MCS-certified product fitted by an MCS-certified installer and provides all your heating and hot water. You need a written offer before work starts. You can check your eligibility with our heat pump grant checker.
How long is the Samsung heat pump warranty?
Samsung’s standard warranty is two years. It can be extended up to seven years when the system is fitted by a Samsung-approved installer, registered on time and serviced to Samsung’s requirements.
Is R290 refrigerant safe in a home heat pump?
Yes. The R290 charge is small and sealed inside the outdoor unit, so no refrigerant enters your home. Installers follow Samsung’s siting rules, keeping a safety zone clear of windows, doors, vents and low points where gas could collect.
Can a Samsung heat pump work with my existing radiators?
Often, yes. The EHS Mono R290 can run at up to 75°C, which helps with existing radiators. That said, it’s more efficient at lower temperatures, so we usually recommend upgrading a few radiators where your heat loss survey shows it’s needed.
Can I control a Samsung heat pump from my phone?
Yes, through the Samsung SmartThings app on Android and iOS. You’ll need Wi-Fi, a Samsung account and, depending on your setup, Samsung’s Wi-Fi kit. It also works with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and Bixby.
How noisy is a Samsung heat pump?
Sound power ranges from 55 dB(A) on the 5kW to 65 dB(A) on the 16kW. With quiet mode on, Samsung quotes sound pressure as low as 35 dB(A) measured 3m from the front of the unit in Samsung’s own testing.
Does a Samsung heat pump need a hot water cylinder?
Yes, for stored hot water you’ll need either a heat pump cylinder or Samsung’s Mono ClimateHub, which combines the controls, hydraulics and a 200L or 260L cylinder in one indoor unit.
Will a Samsung heat pump work in a Scottish winter?
Yes. The EHS Mono R290 operates down to -25°C outdoors and holds full heating performance at -10°C based on a 55°C flow temperature, which covers the coldest spells most of Scotland sees.
