Dimplex heat pumps: reviews and prices (2024)

Dimplex is a German brand owned by a British group that offers heating, cooling and ventilation solutions. The Glen Dimplex Group now claims to be the world's largest manufacturer of residential electrical heating equipment.

In this practical guide, we offer you an overview of the Dimplex air-to-water heat pumps: What are their main features? What are their strengths and weaknesses? Where can you find Dimplex heat pumps and at what price?

Dimplex, an Irish brand

Dimplex was founded in the 1940s in Kulmbach, Germany, not far from the border with the Czech Republic. On May 6, 1977, the company merged with Glen Electric to form the Glen Dimplex Group, initially based in Newry, Northern Ireland, before moving to Dublin. The newly created group pursued a rather aggressive external growth strategy, with a series of acquisitions from the mid-1980s to the present day

• Morphy Richards and Burco Dean Appliances in 1985;
• Creda in 1987;
• Beling in 1992;
• Roberts Radio in 1994;
• Goblin Vacuum Cleaners in 1998;
• LEC Refrigeration in 2005;
• Robinson Willey in 2010;
• Valor in 2011;
• Real Flame Australia in 2016.

Soccer fans, especially of the English Premier League, may have seen the Glen Dimplex brand logo on Southampton Football Club shirts in the 1990s. The brand also made news in 2018 following the dismissal of 300 employees at the English factory in Knowsley, leading to a large social protest movement.

Today, Dimplex is headquartered in Dublin and employs nearly 8,500 people. The company offers a wide range of electrical equipment for residential and professional use (700 items), particularly in the heating, air conditioning and ventilation segment. Dimplex has production and development centers in Ireland, England and China, with branches in the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, Japan, Poland, Belgium, Australia, Scandinavia and France. The brand claims 45 million heaters sold in the UK B2C market.

Presentation of Dimplex heat pumps

Let's start with a little clarification... or rather a rant. Strangely enough, and in spite of a presence in France, Dimplex does not have a website for the French market. The brand has only translated automatically and every third word is not translated. The same applies to Dimplex brochures, flyers and sales literature. The information is therefore difficult to access. This practical guide was therefore more complex than the others. Moreover, the data is so scarce in French that some press articles present Dimplex as an English or Irish brand. Although it is owned by a British group, the brand continues to produce its heat pumps and other heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment in Germany. Let's close the parenthesis.

Overall, Dimplex offers heat pumps at the junction of the mid-range and the high-end, with a very dense offer for households. There are both air-to-water and water-to-water heat pumps. The brand's heat pump offer is broken down into 5 ranges, each one meeting a specific need:

• The "M" System;
• The "M Flex" system;
• The LA S-TU range;
• The LI/LIK series;
• The LAK/LAW range.

We will elaborate on the features of each range later in this guide. For now, here are the strengths and weaknesses of Dimplex's PACs. As you will see, the weaknesses are more related to the brand's communication than to its equipment.

The strengths of Dimplex heat pumps

• A COP higher than the market average, with a range of 4.2 (LA S-TU range) and 5 (M Flex system);
• A very wide range that covers all needs (small plots, dense residential areas, large families, professional premises, two-family houses, etc.);
• The depth of the Dimplex heat pump range is also reflected in the prices offered, which range from €7,000 - €13,000 for the LA S-TU range to over €20,000 for the System M range (excluding installation costs);
• Sound pressure below the market average, with a range between 35 and 50 db(A) at one meter;
• Dimplex heat pumps use refrigerant R290 which only needs 22 bars to obtain water at 65°C. As a result, they consume less than heat pumps that use R407c, and wear out less quickly;
• An original design, in the "industrial" style. For us, it is rather an advantage, but you have to like it... ;
• Also on the design side, some Dimplex PACs can be customized with the color of your choice (from a range of more than 1,200 colors and shades);
• Dimplex heat pumps are quite reliable and efficient.

For all these advantages, Dimplex belongs to the closed club of the "top brands" of heat pumps... despite the following disadvantages

Weaknesses of Dimplex heat pumps

• A rough and wobbly documentation for the French and French-speaking customers of the brand;
• Prices above the market average;
• In France, Dimplex heat pumps are relatively confidential. It may take two, three or four installers to get a quote on a Dimplex heat pump.

The Dimplex air-to-water heat pump range

As explained above, Dimplex's range of air-to-water heat pumps is very extensive, with 5 different ranges. Before we give you our impressions of the leading models, here is a summary table that summarizes the specific features of each range.

Range	Description	COP	Strong points	Price (without installation)
System M	Flagship range of the brandPower: 6 to 16 kWHot water tank 180 to 220 litersA++InverterHigh-end designIntuitive operationLow sound pressure	Up to 4.9	Award-winning design (German Design Awards)Modular and minimalistCustomization of the casing and grille materialCompactPACsNoise reduction	Between 12 000 and 20 000 €.
M Flex System	Power from 6 to 16 kWFor one or two-family houses, or even small buildings and business premisesUltra-compact design50-liter buffer tank with double dispenserOptional wall console	Up to 5	Quiet heat pumps (max 35 dbA for the outdoor unit)Compact and space-saving productDirt collectorFlow and pressure sensor	From 12 000 to 15 000 €.
LA-STU range	MonoblocThree power levels: 9, 12 and 18 kWAvailable in a small model (LA 6S-TU)Available in a large model for buildings and commercial projects	4.2	Up to A++ Quiet heat pumpsCustomized design: 1,625 colors available (RAL color chart)10-year warranty	From € 8,000
LI/LK Series	For densely populated areas and small lotsUp to 28 kWFlexible air ducting to suit the specifics of the installation site	Up to 4.2	Very small footprintFlattering designLow noise level	From € 8,000
LAK/LAW Series	SplitHeating, cooling and DHWLow space requirement	Up to 4.3	Very small footprintFlattering designLow noise level	From €12,000

#1 Dimplex System M Compact/Comfort air-to-water heat pump

It is undoubtedly the Dimplex heat pump the most sold in France. It is an air-water heat pump that provides between 5 and 11 kW with an average COP of about 4.2 (for a maximum of 4.9). The sound pressure is quite surprising, with less than 27 dbA at 10 meters from the outdoor unit ... almost inaudible in normal operation.

As for the design, it remains inspired Dimplex, with a choice of custom color (RAL) and the possibility of opting for a wooden grid to stay in the tone of your garden.

In fact, the System M heat pump range won a German Design Award in 2018 in the "Energy" category, which saw the participation of over 2,000 references.

System M Compact and Compact Plus	System Comfort and Comfort Plus
Power levels from 6 kW (4 to 6 kW range for Compact Plus)180 L hot water tank includedTouch screen controlControl via GDTS Home AppDesign customization optionsInverter technology (Compact Plus only)	Power levels from 9 to 12 kW (9 to 16 kW for Comfort Plus)220 L hot water tank includedTouch screen controlControl via GDTS Home AppDesign customization optionsInverter technology (Comfort Plus only)Optional cooling (Comfort Plus Cooling)

#2 The Dimplex LI 16I - TUR air-to-water heat pump

The LI 16I-TUR air-to-water heat pump is controlled by a frequency converter and is suitable for indoor installation for heating, cooling and domestic hot water preparation. Compact and very quiet, this Dimplex heat pump is designed for homes with little space or in densely populated residential areas.

The heating power can reach 16 kW, which allows to heat houses with a maximum surface of 300 square meters (living area). The LI 16I-TUR allows maximum flexibility in terms of installation and internal positioning.

• Reversible. The heat pump allows to heat in winter and to cool in summer;
• Low-noise heat pump. Even at full heating power, the noise emissions are very reasonable (less than 35 dB of sound power at one meter);
• Flexible installation. Thanks to an intelligent flow, the heat pump can be installed in several configurations and is therefore suitable for rooms that are not rectangular;
• Adaptable to all buildings. The Glen Dimplex LI 16I-TUR heat pump can be disassembled into two parts, making it easy to transport and install;
• Intelligent control via the mobile application.

Dimplex heat pump prices

Dimplex air-to-water heat pumps are offered at prices above the market average, at the junction between the mid-range and the high-end.

• PAC of the " System M " range : between 12 000 and 20 000 € ;
• PAC of the range " System M Flex " : from 12 000 to 15 000 € ;
• PAC of the range " LA S-TU " : from 8 000 € ;
• LI/LIK" series PACs: from €8,000;
• LAK/LAW" series PAC: from €12,000.

Where to buy a Dimplex heat pump?

As explained above, and despite its presence in France, Dimplex is not very present in the distribution channels. You will probably have to ask two or three installers to get a quote for a Dimplex heat pump.

Occasionally, you will find the most famous models of the brand (especially the System M and M Flex ranges) in the online sales sites and some specialized department stores such as ManoMano, Leroy Merlin, Espace Aubade or Cdiscount.

As usual, we recommend that you use the services of a professional installer. He will be able to assist you in choosing a heat pump that corresponds to your home, your budget, your preferences in terms of thermal comfort ... while enjoying an attractive price.

What kind of financial aid is available for the purchase of a Dimplex heat pump?

Because it is an economical, environmentally friendly piece of equipment capable of satisfying the expectations of households in terms of thermal comfort, the heat pump is covered by several financing aids and subsidies offered by the State and local authorities. Summary:

	MaPrimeRenov'	Boiler Conversion Bonus(CEE Bonus)	Zero rate eco-loan(eco-PTZ)	Aid from local authorities
Features	Allocated by the National Housing Agency	Replacement of an old boiler (oil, coal, gas except condensation)	Interest-free loan repayable over a maximum of 20 years	Check with your department or region.
Conditions	Household resources	No resource requirements	Subject to acceptance of the file by the bank	Check with your department or region.
Amount	Between 3 000 and 5 000 €.	Between €2,500 and €4,000Provided by check, wire transfer or voucher	Up to 50 000 € of energy work (to be reimbursed)	Check with your department or region.

Consumer reviews of Dimplex heat pumps

Consumers are generally satisfied with the performance of their Dimplex heat pumps, as you will see from these testimonials.

To advise a consumer who is hesitating between a Stiebel and a Dimplex heat pump, Julien explains: " You understand that between 38 bars at Stiebel and 22 bars at Dimplex, the Dimplex consumes much less, and especially wears out much less quickly ". The Dimplex uses the refrigerant R290 which only needs 22 bars to obtain water at 65° C.

In a debate on the forum chaleurterre.com to advise a consumer, Dimplex seems to get unanimous support. " Dimplex is a premium brand with excellent quality ", explains this user. " I know that Dimplex is in the top brand ".

What are the alternatives to Dimplex heat pumps?

If you want to stay in the middle and high end of the market, you can go to other sure values like Bosch (to remain in the Deutsche Qualität), Toshiba or even Mitsubishi. If you wish to purchase Made in FranceInstead, check out Saunier Duval, Auer (Intuis), Chaffoteaux (Ariston), Airwell or Arkteos. If you have a tighter budget, you may want to consider DaikinAtlantic or Dietrich.