Yes, the Mitsubishi Ecodan is worth it for most UK homes. It’s a proven, efficient air source heat pump, and the newer R290 models reach flow temperatures of up to 75°C, so they can often run with your existing radiators and pipework.
We’re Clever Energy Boilers, a Bingley-based installer fitting heat pumps for homes across Yorkshire, the North West and the Midlands. This review covers the Ecodan range, what it costs to fit and how it stacks up against the other big names, based on what we see on real installs.
Is the Mitsubishi Ecodan worth it?
For a typical gas, oil or LPG heated home, the Ecodan is one of the safest choices on the market. Mitsubishi Electric has been selling Ecodan heat pumps in the UK for a long time, many installers know the kit well, and the R290 models are built in the UK.
The R290 range is the one we’d point most people towards in 2026. It uses natural propane refrigerant, runs down to outdoor temperatures of minus 25°C, and its high flow temperature makes it a strong fit for older houses where swapping every radiator isn’t practical. The main downsides are a higher price than budget brands such as Midea, and an app switchover that has caused some confusion for existing owners.
If you want to see how it ranks against the whole field, our round-up of the best air source heat pumps reviewed puts it side by side with the alternatives.
What are the Ecodan’s key specs?
The key specs depend on which Ecodan you choose, but the table below covers the figures that matter most, taken from Mitsubishi Electric’s UK product data sheets.
| Feature | Mitsubishi Ecodan (R290 range unless stated) |
| Type | Air to water monobloc heat pump |
| Refrigerant | R290 (propane) or R32 |
| R290 output sizes | 5, 6, 8.5, 10 and 12 kW |
| R32 output sizes | 5 kW (Compact), 6, 8.5 and 11.2 kW, plus a 14 kW Zubadan |
| Maximum flow temperature | Up to 75°C (R290) |
| SCOP at 35°C flow | About 4.35 to 4.71 (R290 6 to 12 kW models) |
| SCOP at 55°C flow | About 3.43 to 3.51 (R290 6 to 12 kW models) |
| Energy rating | A+++ at 35°C, A++ at 55°C |
| Sound pressure at 1 metre | 40 dB(A) on the R290 models we checked |
| Lowest outdoor operating temperature | Minus 25°C (R290) |
| App | MELCloud Home |
| Typical installed cost (2026) | £7,000 to £12,000 before grant |
| Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant | £7,500 (England and Wales) |
Which Ecodan models are available in the UK?
There are two main families in the UK right now, the Ecodan R290 and the Ecodan R32, with a few specialist versions on top.
- Ecodan R290: the newest range, in 5, 6, 8.5, 10 and 12 kW sizes. It runs on propane, which has a global warming potential of just 0.02, and it works with existing microbore pipework and all Ecodan cylinders.
- Ecodan R32 (PUZ): the established range in 6, 8.5 and 11.2 kW. Still a good unit, though its maximum flow temperature is lower than the R290’s.
- Ecodan R32 Compact: a 5 kW unit for smaller homes and flats where space outside is tight.
- Ecodan Zubadan: a 14 kW R32 model designed to hold its output in very cold weather, suited to larger, draughtier properties.
- Coastal protection models: treated to resist corrosion for homes near the sea.
You can check the full line-up on Mitsubishi Electric’s UK outdoor unit page. The right size comes from a proper heat loss survey of your home, not a guess based on the old boiler’s output.
How efficient is the Ecodan?
The Ecodan is very efficient, with the R290 models scoring a seasonal coefficient of performance (SCOP) of roughly 4.4 to 4.7 at a 35°C flow temperature. In plain terms, that means for every unit of electricity it uses across a heating season, it delivers around four and a half units of heat.
At a hotter 55°C flow, which you might need with smaller radiators, the SCOP drops to around 3.5. That’s still well ahead of any boiler, but it shows why we design systems to run as cool as the house allows.
Running costs against gas depend heavily on your tariff, your insulation and how well the system is designed. A well set-up Ecodan on a heat pump friendly tariff can cost similar to or less than gas to run, and it usually comes out clearly cheaper than oil, LPG or electric storage heaters. A poorly designed one can cost more, which is why survey quality matters more than the badge on the box.
How much does a Mitsubishi Ecodan cost to install in 2026?
A typical Mitsubishi Ecodan installation costs around £7,000 to £12,000 before any grant, including the outdoor unit, hot water cylinder and labour. The government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme takes £7,500 off that for eligible homes in England and Wales, as confirmed on GOV.UK.
| Scenario | Typical cost before grant | Grant | Typical cost after grant |
| Gas heated home | £7,000 to £12,000 | £7,500 | £0 to £4,500 |
| Oil or LPG home with no mains gas | £7,000 to £12,000 | £9,000 (£7,500 plus £1,500 until March 2027) | £0 to £3,000 |
These are typical figures. Larger homes, extra radiator upgrades or a new cylinder location can push the price up. We can apply for the grant on your behalf, and our guide to the benefits of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme explains how it works. There’s more background in our piece on the air source heat pump grant and other clever ways to go green. Long, market-leading warranties are also available when you have your Ecodan fitted through Clever Energy.
How noisy is it and where can it go?
The Ecodan is a quiet heat pump, with the R290 models rated at 40 dB(A) sound pressure at 1 metre, which is roughly the level of a quiet library. Mitsubishi’s older Ultra Quiet R32 units are rated at 45 dB(A).
In England, most air source heat pumps can be fitted under permitted development, so you won’t usually need planning permission. The rules were relaxed in 2025. The old rule keeping units at least 1 metre from the boundary was removed, the size limit for a unit went up, and detached homes can now have up to two heat pumps. The installation still has to pass the MCS noise assessment at your neighbour’s nearest window. Listed buildings and conservation areas can have extra restrictions, and the rules in Scotland and Wales differ, so we check this at survey stage.
What controls and app does it use?
The Ecodan is run by Mitsubishi’s FTC7 controller indoors and the MELCloud Home app on your phone. The app lets you change temperatures from anywhere, set heating and hot water schedules, check live readings and track energy use. It also works with Alexa for voice control and holiday mode.
One thing to know if you already own an Ecodan: Mitsubishi is moving people from the original MELCloud app to MELCloud Home. Old data can’t be carried across, and anyone claiming RHI payments has been told not to switch yet.
What are the pros and cons?
The Ecodan has more strengths than weaknesses, but it isn’t perfect.
| Pros | Cons |
| R290 models reach 75°C, so many homes keep their radiators | Usually dearer than budget brands such as Midea |
| High SCOP and A+++ rating at 35°C | MELCloud app change has been awkward for existing users |
| Quiet at 40 dB(A) on the R290 range | R32 models have a lower top flow temperature |
| Works down to minus 25°C outside | Monobloc units are fairly large and heavy |
| Made in the UK and widely supported by installers | Efficiency drops if the system is run too hot |
How does the Ecodan compare to Daikin and Vaillant?
All three are premium brands, and the gap between them is smaller than most marketing suggests. The bigger difference usually comes down to the installer.
| Brand | Main domestic range | Refrigerant | Stand-out point |
| Mitsubishi Ecodan | Ecodan R290 and R32 | R290 or R32 | UK built R290 range with 75°C flow |
| Daikin | Altherma | R32 and R290 | Huge choice of models and system types |
| Vaillant | aroTHERM plus | R290 | Very popular, high temperature R290 unit |
Read our full Daikin heat pump review and Vaillant heat pump review for the detail. If price is your top concern, the Midea heat pump review, our look at Grant air source heat pumps and the Cosy 6 heat pump review are worth a read too.
Is the Ecodan a good fit for older stone homes in West Yorkshire?
Often, yes, and this is where the R290 Ecodan earns its keep. Many of the homes we see around Bingley, Haworth and Keighley are solid stone Victorian terraces with existing radiators that nobody wants to rip out. Because the R290 models can run at higher flow temperatures, they give us more room to work with those radiators, upgrading only the ones that need it after a proper heat loss survey.
Homes on exposed Pennine hillsides also lose heat faster in winter, so correct sizing matters more here than in a sheltered new-build. It’s also nice to know the Ecodan is a British-built product, made at Mitsubishi Electric’s factory in Livingston, Scotland.
We install air source heat pumps across Bradford, Keighley, Leeds, Halifax and Huddersfield, and we’ll handle the Boiler Upgrade Scheme paperwork so the grant comes straight off your price.
FAQs
Does the Ecodan work in cold weather?
Yes, the R290 Ecodan keeps running down to minus 25°C outside, well below anything most of the UK sees. Its output does fall in very cold spells, which is why sizing it properly for your home’s heat loss is so important.
How long does it last?
A well installed and serviced air source heat pump typically lasts 15 to 20 years or more. An annual service keeps the Ecodan running efficiently and helps you spot small issues early.
Does it need a hot water cylinder?
Yes, an Ecodan needs a hot water cylinder, because heat pumps can’t heat water on demand like a combi boiler. Mitsubishi makes matching cylinders, and every R290 model works with them. If you have a combi now, we’ll find space for one during the survey.
Can it replace an oil boiler?
Yes, and oil homes are often where the Ecodan makes the biggest difference. Off-gas homes heated by oil or LPG can currently get an extra £1,500 on top of the £7,500 grant until March 2027. If a heat pump isn’t right for your property, we also fit LPG and oil boilers.
Get a quote for a Mitsubishi Ecodan
If the Ecodan sounds like a good fit, we’d be glad to survey your home and size the right model for it. Find out more and send us your details through our air source heat pump installation page, or request a callback from our team if you’d rather talk it through.
