Panasonic announced the Big Aquarea T-CAP M Series heat pump on 14 March 2024, describing it as the latest addition to its M Series of Aquarea air source heat pumps1.
The new unit is available in sizes ranging from 20 to 30 kW, with the capability to scale up to 300 kW in cascade, and up to 10 units can be connected1. Panasonic said the wider Aquarea range covers capacities from 3 kW to 30 kW1. The M Series uses R290 refrigerant and is quoted as delivering up to 75°C water outlet temperature at -15°C outside temperature, and 55°C hot water at -25°C outside temperature1. Panasonic describes the series as having a modular design with various indoor units and flexible control options, including a full Control Box or a Remote-only setup1.
"Panasonic is pleased to announce its latest addition to the M Series: the new Big Aquarea T-CAP M Series heat pump."
The announcement covered the rest of the Aquarea line as well. The L Series also uses R290 and delivers water outlet temperatures of up to 75°C at outside temperatures as low as -10°C, with a stated SCOP of up to 5.12, and Panasonic describes it as designed for retrofit applications with a hydraulic split design1. The K Series uses R32 refrigerant and supplies water outlet temperatures up to 60⁰C; Panasonic calls it suited to new installations and well-insulated homes because of reduced noise levels1. Panasonic states that its R290 ranges have a Global Warming Potential of 31.
| Series | Refrigerant | Stated output temperature | Stated capacity or efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Aquarea T-CAP M | R290 | 75°C at -15°C outside; 55°C hot water at -25°C | 20 to 30 kW, cascade to 300 kW, up to 10 units |
| M | R290 | 75°C at -15°C outside; 55°C hot water at -25°C | Within 3 to 30 kW range |
| L | R290 | 75°C at -10°C outside | SCOP up to 5.12 |
| K | R32 | Up to 60⁰C | Not stated |
All figures as given by Panasonic1.
Panasonic also said it is presenting a new smart fancoil prototype exclusively at Mostra Convegno Expocomfort, alongside cross flow ventilation units in a variety of sizes and formats, both with wireless connectivity1. The Aquarea Smart Cloud offers an IoT solution for end users to manage energy consumption, and the Aquarea Service Cloud lets installers manage customers' heating and cooling systems remotely1.
Why it matters for households
The Big Aquarea T-CAP M Series sits at the larger end of the domestic and light commercial market, at 20 to 30 kW per unit, well above the capacity a typical UK home needs. Its relevance to a single household is therefore limited; the cascade arrangement, connecting up to 10 units to reach 300 kW, points to larger buildings or multi-dwelling projects rather than a single dwelling1. The stated ability to produce 75°C water at -15°C outside and 55°C hot water at -25°C is the part that bears on energy independence, because higher flow temperatures widen the set of properties a heat pump can serve without a full fabric upgrade, and performance at low outdoor temperatures reduces reliance on a backup fossil fuel source. The R290 refrigerant, with a stated Global Warming Potential of 3, is a separate environmental point rather than a running-cost one1. For households weighing options across technologies, the comparison between a heat pump and a biomass boiler turns on the same questions of flow temperature, outdoor temperature performance and what the property can accept. No UK pricing, eligibility for any grant scheme, or confirmed UK availability date for the Big Aquarea T-CAP M Series has been reported1.
What happens next
Panasonic said the Aquarea ranges and the smart fancoil prototype would be shown at Mostra Convegno Expocomfort on its stand, A29+B12, Hall 51. No further dated steps, including a UK launch date, have been reported1.
Sources1 cited
- Unlock the Future of Heating and Cooling with Panasonic’s Aquarea Heat Pump Range, aircon.panasonic.eu