Advice with Panasonic heatpumps?

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#2476504 4-May-2020 16:49

E3xtc:

sonyxperiageek: So I've come to a bit of a road block at the moment... Just been comparing the Mitsubishi GL and the AP with the Panasonic VKR and in terms of specs (the 5kW model) it looks like the VKR Trump's the GL and AP by a few things like better cooling/heating capacity range, sound levels, and importantly the EER and COP values. So on paper, I'd be looking at choosing the Panasonic, but am also wary of the OP issues... Hence the road block.

Guess it's time to have a look at the Daikins.

If everything still stacks up in Panasonic's favor, voice your concerns to the installer/provider and get them to assure you with respect to the Panasonic units, then if these weird things crop up, its on them to remediate (if you have the mental fortitude to struggle through what could be a pita process till solved). We have a Panasonic ducted unit so could very well be totally different, but this at least seems to work just fine.

I'm going down a similar path looking at a split system, 50kW downstairs and 20kW unit upstairs in the bedroom. I've looked at Panasonic (VKR) and Daiken (Cora) which are priced $150 of each other and Mitsubishi EcoCore AP series which while a more recent model is additional $2K. Mitsubishi is out based on budget and I feel I'm leaning towards Daikin.

Did you have a look at Daikin? interested to see what your assessment is or anyone else's experience.

sonyxperiageek

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#2477440 6-May-2020 00:37

I've got another heat pump assessment coming today who I think do Daikin, so will see what happens.

Sony

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#2477884 6-May-2020 14:59

Wow, so the quote today for the Daikin was about $300 more than the cost of the other brands/installers. But then this company's quote for the same model Panasonic and Mitsubishi were a bit dearer than the other quotes too, so will see if I can get a few other Daikin installers in for a quote. Currently my preference (based on others' experiences and specs) is for the Daikin Cora range now.

Sony

CokemonZ

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#2477919 6-May-2020 15:23

sonyxperiageek:

Wow, so the quote today for the Daikin was about $300 more than the cost of the other brands/installers. But then this company's quote for the same model Panasonic and Mitsubishi were a bit dearer than the other quotes too, so will see if I can get a few other Daikin installers in for a quote. Currently my preference (based on others' experiences and specs) is for the Daikin Cora range now.

Last year I got a Daikin Cora installed to replace a ~10 year old Fujitsu Heatpump.

Night and day - much quieter, feels faster. to heat up the room.

However we have two newer 3 - 4 year old (but much smaller) Fuj units in other rooms. Compared to them, eh, could go either way.

Daikin is good - and we paid a little more for it than a comparable Fuj.

dahc

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#2477941 6-May-2020 15:36

I spoke to the contractor providing the quotes and his sentiments was that Mitsubishi and Daikin are both strong/reliable brands. Daiken has traditionally been strong in commercial and in recent years started focussing into residential. Daikin it is for me.

Dynamic

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#2478003 6-May-2020 16:05

We went Daikin, based on getting a good feeling of confidence from our chat with the Gordon from Vincent Installs. I found him on No Cowboys. https://www.nocowboys.co.nz/businesses/vincent-install-ltd He indicated that Panasonic were excellent when it came to handling warranty issues, but the Daikins just didn't have warranty claims in his experience (IIRC). We happily paid a little more for his than the same machine from a different installer, as I am happy to pay a little more for great service.

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dahc

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#2478046 6-May-2020 17:24

Dynamic:

We went Daikin, based on getting a good feeling of confidence from our chat with the Gordon from Vincent Installs. I found him on No Cowboys. https://www.nocowboys.co.nz/businesses/vincent-install-ltd He indicated that Panasonic were excellent when it came to handling warranty issues, but the Daikins just didn't have warranty claims in his experience (IIRC). We happily paid a little more for his than the same machine from a different installer, as I am happy to pay a little more for great service.

Thanks for the recommendation, I gave Gordon a call and he's coming to site to provide a quote on Saturday. Like you said, he supported the fact that both Panasonic and Daikin are great brands from a service/support point of view and in his the best value was the Cora range. Value is not necessarily the cheapest but what you getting in relation to how much you're paying.

dahc

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#2488854 21-May-2020 17:41

Dynamic:

We went Daikin, based on getting a good feeling of confidence from our chat with the Gordon from Vincent Installs. I found him on No Cowboys. https://www.nocowboys.co.nz/businesses/vincent-install-ltd He indicated that Panasonic were excellent when it came to handling warranty issues, but the Daikins just didn't have warranty claims in his experience (IIRC). We happily paid a little more for his than the same machine from a different installer, as I am happy to pay a little more for great service.

Thanks for the recommendation. Gordon visited the following Saturday, talked through the options and had the quote back to me that evening. He completed the install yesterday for two Daikin head units off a single outdoor unit, not the easiest of installs and he's done an amazing job. Like yourself, I'd have no hesitation in recommending him.

sonyxperiageek

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#2488857 21-May-2020 17:48

Just updating this thread that I have accepted my second Daikin Cora quote and will be getting that installed soon after a tough battle between the different heat pump brands/models. The difference between the two Daikin quotes was around $500! The last quote guy also said that Daikin had come down in price to match the Mitsubishis recently too.

Now my next research is to see whether to get the Daikin WiFi module, or get something like the Sensibo.

Sony

Kickinbac

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#2489753 22-May-2020 17:53

sonyxperiageek:
Just updating this thread that I have accepted my second Daikin Cora quote and will be getting that installed soon after a tough battle between the different heat pump brands/models. The difference between the two Daikin quotes was around $500! The last quote guy also said that Daikin had come down in price to match the Mitsubishis recently too.

Now my next research is to see whether to get the Daikin WiFi module, or get something like the Sensibo.

I recommend the Daikin WiFi module, you can download the app and try it out on demo mode. The good thing about the Daikin app is that it works both ways, you can see inside and outside temperature from anywhere on you phone etc. I like how easy it is to program time schedules.
The app is called Daikin Mobile Controller.

sonyxperiageek

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#2494977 30-May-2020 11:57

Kickinbac:
sonyxperiageek:
Just updating this thread that I have accepted my second Daikin Cora quote and will be getting that installed soon after a tough battle between the different heat pump brands/models. The difference between the two Daikin quotes was around $500! The last quote guy also said that Daikin had come down in price to match the Mitsubishis recently too.

Now my next research is to see whether to get the Daikin WiFi module, or get something like the Sensibo.

I recommend the Daikin WiFi module, you can download the app and try it out on demo mode. The good thing about the Daikin app is that it works both ways, you can see inside and outside temperature from anywhere on you phone etc. I like how easy it is to program time schedules.
The app is called Daikin Mobile Controller.

I have been reading about them and apparently they're not that reliable, so will probably end up getting something like the Sensibo at some point.

Sony

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sonyxperiageek

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#2494981 30-May-2020 12:07

And to top it all off, my Heat Pump got installed this morning, and is so far working well and is very quiet: flaps, indoor/outdoor unit and all.

Sony

Wolf555

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#2507834 19-Jun-2020 08:02

UPDATE:

So I have been in contact with Panasonic again to try and rectify some of the issues in the OP. Over summer it's been mostly fine for the bedroom unit and we didn't run it overnight or use a timer, but now in winter we're having the same issues.

I have been dealing with someone from Panasonic customer care who since May has told me he's going to have someone call me and take a look at it. No call, and multiple follow ups from my end and now he's gone silent.

I'm completely stuck. The installer says it's on Panasonic and now Panasonic aren't interested. What do I do? We have literally switched to using a space heater overnight and not even using the heatpump which is ridiculous.

@sonyxperiageek I am glad you didn't go with the Panasonic as now not only is their unit terrible, but they seem to have zero customer service.

Yoban

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#2507909 19-Jun-2020 10:07

Kickinbac:
I recommend the Daikin WiFi module, you can download the app and try it out on demo mode. The good thing about the Daikin app is that it works both ways, you can see inside and outside temperature from anywhere on you phone etc. I like how easy it is to program time schedules.
The app is called Daikin Mobile Controller.

Where can these modules be sourced from as I too have been trying to find them for my daikin's. I have played with the app and looks great which will be helpful to control units upstairs from downstairs.

E3xtc

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#2507959 19-Jun-2020 11:29

Wolf555:

UPDATE:

So I have been in contact with Panasonic again to try and rectify some of the issues in the OP. Over summer it's been mostly fine for the bedroom unit and we didn't run it overnight or use a timer, but now in winter we're having the same issues.

I have been dealing with someone from Panasonic customer care who since May has told me he's going to have someone call me and take a look at it. No call, and multiple follow ups from my end and now he's gone silent.

I'm completely stuck. The installer says it's on Panasonic and now Panasonic aren't interested. What do I do? We have literally switched to using a space heater overnight and not even using the heatpump which is ridiculous.

@sonyxperiageek I am glad you didn't go with the Panasonic as now not only is their unit terrible, but they seem to have zero customer service.

I am sorry for your experience; my interactions with Panasonic (specifically with respect to different consumer electronics, in addition to heatpumps) has all been positive :(

Wondering if this is a case where (assuming you have a record of trying to resolve the issue to no avail) you send them a couple more messages, to the effect of "I look forward to hearing from you with a view to resolving this issue, otherwise if I don't hear from you before XX/XX/XXXX I have no other alternative than to have the issue remediated by replacing the unit and recovering the associated costs through a Consumer Guarantees Claim (citing specific clause in CGA) against Panasonic"

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