How much does the Daikin 16kW heat pump consume?

Are you thinking about buying a heat pump and wondering how much a Daikin heat pump (Altherma 3H HT) with 16kW of heating capacity really consumes in the end? We will talk about this model for the example but you adapt it to your own.

In this article we will detail the power consumption of this very popular heat pump. Right away the short answer to the question:

A Daikin 16kW heat pump consumes :

• With underfloor heating (35 °C): 4.8 times less than standard electric heating
• In case of radiators (55°C): 3.63 times less than a standard electric heater

Let's say you used to consume 25000kWh of electric heating per year. With a Daikin heat pump, you will consume between 5197kWh and 6887kWh per year depending on your floor distribution or radiators.

If you were to consume 2200 liters of fuel oil per year for your heating, this is equivalent to about 22000kWh of electricity, so your estimated electricity consumption with the Daikin 16 heat pump will be between 4583kWh and 6060kWh per year.

But how much does it cost? Then just multiply by the price per kWh.

In France, it's around €0.18 in 2022 (e.g. 5197*0.18 = €935/year and €78/month), but in other countries like Switzerland, it hurts (By the way, in 2022 => increase of 0.06 CHF per kWh in Switzerland, bringing the electricity kWh to 0.27CHF, OUPS => 5197*0.27 = 1403CHF/year). Well, it's still not as much as in Denmark, which will soon be at €0.4 per kWh (? => 5197*0.4 = €2078/year or €173/month) I'm showing you the graph just out of curiosity 😉

How to calculate the consumption of a Daikin heat pump?

Like any outdoor air-to-water heat pump, the Daikin heat pump, and in particular the Altherma 3 H HT (High Temperature) model, uses a refrigeration circuit to extract calories from the outside air. This circuit is made up of four components, one of which is the electricity-consuming element responsible for the bill: the compressor.

In the case of the Daikin Altherma 3 H HT 16 we are dealing with an R32 scroll compressor with dual gas and liquid injection.

This compressor consumes different energy depending on whether it is asked to work harder or harder. For example, if it is asked to heat water to 35°C when it is 7°C outside, it will work less than if it is asked to produce water at 35°C when it is -7°C outside, so it will consume less.

To calculate how much it will consume we will base ourselves on the SCOP data of the heat pump. This is the seasonal coefficient of performance (certified by HP Keymark...a European certification body that certifies that the product and the calculation correspond to European standards). The SCOP is 4.81 at 35°C for the example, and it is calculated according to the average temperature data of the European climate accepted by HP Keymark, i.e. according to EN 16147 which considers an average temperature of 7°C over the year.

You must therefore take your annual consumption to heat you to 35°C (underfloor heating), either from your thermal balance if it exists or if the house is new, or from your experience with your old electric or fossil fuel heating system (see invoice). Then divide this consumption by the SCOP of the machine.

If you want to make a pessimistic calculation, take your annual consumption and divide by the COP 7/60 for example, here 2.62. (case radiators).

What not to do Take the nominal power of the heat pump, like 16kW and divide by the COP at a given temperature => totally useless since the nominal power is not at all what represents your real consumption, and the COP is only valid punctually (for a given outside temperature and hot water)... the only way to have a more or less representative consumption is to use the theoretical data of the heat balance or your experience of the year before.

The power consumption of a Daikin 16 heat pump cannot be calculated from a data sheet, but must be based on actual data representative of your specific home. The elements that influence consumption include:

• The volume to be heated in your home in m3
• What is the insulation of your home
• Which climate? Rather harsh or temperate (you can have slightly higher or lower values in practice depending on whether you are in the Alps in Italy or Switzerland or on the French Riviera for example. The average value considered by the standard corresponds quite well to a standard European climate...it is sure not on top of a mountain.
• You have radiators or floor heating
• The heat pump makes hot water or not (and for how many people)

My Daikin 16kW heat pump uses too much electricity

If you feel that your Daikin heat pump consumes too much energy, there may be several reasons: It is incorrectly sized for your home

It uses too often an electric resistance as backup (9kW on this model)

The heating curve is not the right one

You've set a temperature worthy of the Caribbean! (or your 15-year-old daughter has come to take a look at the regulation? while your back is turned)

My Daikin heat pump uses very little electricity

And you don't feel cold? Great, then you have found a good installer and your heat pump is correctly sized and installed. Send us your testimonial and some pictures by email and we will be happy to publish it on the site for posterity.

Want to know more?
=> All the details on how to calculate the electricity consumption of a heat pump

=> Daikin heat pump range review

=> Our great review of the Daikin Altherma 3 H HT heat pump