COMMERCIAL HEATING


Smarter heating for a new era of commercial buildings


Better integrated, easier-to-control HVAC systems offer the prospect of delivering sustainable solutions that maintain comfortable temperatures all year round. Nathan Tranter highlights the benefits of investing in the latest heat pump and fan coil technologies.


Nathan Tranter www.aircon.panasonic.eu/GB_en


Head of heating sales at Panasonic


T This is where the Aquarea Air Smart


Fan Coil range can play an important role. Designed to work alongside Aquarea heat pumps, these fan coil units provide both heating and cooling from a compact platform. Traditional fan coil systems often


rely on stepped fan speeds, which can create noticeable fluctuations in airflow and noise. Aquarea Air Smart Fan Coils use continuously modulated airflow with proportional-integral logic, enabling the unit to automatically adjust performance in response to room conditions. This results in quieter operation, smoother temperature control and improved occupant comfort. Integrated DC inverter technology


he commercial building sector is entering a period of profound change. From tightening carbon regulations


and rising energy costs to evolving sustainability targets, building owners and developers are under increasing pressure to rethink how they heat, cool and manage their properties. For many organisations, the


conversation has moved beyond whether they should decarbonise. The focus is now on how to achieve it while maintaining occupant comfort, operational resilience and long-term return on investment. Heat pump technology has emerged as one of the most effective pathways to reducing operational emissions, but success depends on more than simply replacing one heat source with another. It requires an integrated approach that combines efficient generation, intelligent distribution and smart controls. At Panasonic, we are seeing


growing demand for complete heating and cooling ecosystems that can serve everything from residential developments and offices to hotels, retail environments and mixed-use commercial projects. The latest generation of commercial heat pumps and smart fan coils has been designed specifically to address these challenges while helping customers prepare for a low-carbon future.


Centralised solutions Across Europe, building owners are looking for alternatives to traditional fossil-fuel-based heating systems. However, commercial projects often present unique challenges. These may include varying occupancy patterns, large heating loads, space constraints, existing distribution systems and the need for domestic hot water production. To meet these requirements, heat pumps must offer far greater flexibility than previous generations. They need


EIBI | SEPTEMBER 2026


further supports energy efficiency, helping to minimise energy consumption while maintaining consistent indoor conditions.


to perform reliably in demanding climates, integrate into both new-build and retrofit environments, and scale efficiently as buildings evolve. Our centralised heating solutions


have been developed with this flexibility in mind. By harnessing renewable energy from the air and combining it with advanced heat pump technology, these systems can help reduce energy consumption and associated CO₂ emissions while providing heating, cooling and domestic hot water.


Refrigerants matter A key focus for the HVAC industry is reducing not only operational emissions but also the environmental impact of refrigerants themselves. That is why Panasonic continues to


invest in systems using R290, a natural refrigerant with an exceptionally low Global Warming Potential (GWP) of just 0.02 according to the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report. As regulations continue to drive the market towards lower-GWP solutions, natural refrigerants are becoming increasingly attractive for commercial applications. The advantage is clear. Building


owners can benefit from highly efficient heat pump technology while supporting wider sustainability objectives and helping future-proof investments against changing regulatory requirements. One example of this approach is Panasonic’s ECOi-W AQUA-G EVO H R290 heat pump range. Designed for larger commercial


applications, the air-cooled system delivers cooling capacities from 57kW to 91kW and heating capacities from 61kW to 102kW. The combination of


natural R290 refrigerant, inverter-driven scroll compressors and EC fan motors helps optimise seasonal performance while reducing energy consumption.


Retrofi t opportunity While new buildings represent an important opportunity for low-carbon heating, the greatest challenge lies within the existing building stock. Many commercial and multi-residential buildings still rely on heating systems that were designed around traditional boilers and high-temperature water distribution. Replacing these infrastructures can be costly and disruptive.


This is where high-temperature heat


pump technology becomes particularly valuable.


Our Big Aquarea T-CAP M Series has been developed to maintain its rated heating output at a 55°C down to -15°C outdoor temperature without the need for a backup heater. The system can operate in ambient temperatures as low as -25°C while providing water temperatures up to 75°C. By delivering higher water


temperatures, heat pumps can more easily integrate with existing radiators and hydronic systems, helping to simplify retrofit projects and accelerate the replacement of fossil-fuel systems.


Intelligent heat distribution Generating heat efficiently is only part of creating a comfortable and energy-efficient building. The way that heat and cooling are delivered throughout occupied spaces has an equally significant impact on overall performance.


Better connected As commercial buildings become increasingly intelligent, HVAC systems must also become more connected. Today’s facilities managers require access to real-time operational data, remote monitoring and seamless integration with building management systems. Panasonic fan coil solutions support


a range of control options, including onboard controls, wall-mounted interfaces, Modbus communication, integrated Wi-Fi options and analogue control capabilities. Combined with our broader ecosystem of controls and energy management technologies, this creates opportunities to optimise performance, simplify maintenance and improve operational visibility across an entire building portfolio. The transition to lower-carbon buildings is no longer a future ambition. It is happening now. Success will depend on adopting technologies that deliver sustainability without sacrificing performance, comfort or practicality. Commercial heat pumps have evolved significantly in recent years, and today’s solutions are capable of meeting the demands of even the most challenging applications. By combining high-performance R290 heat pumps such as the ECOi-W AQUA-G EVO with intelligent room- level solutions like Aquarea Air Smart Fan Coils, building owners can create efficient, scalable and future-ready heating and cooling systems that support both environmental goals and business performance. The opportunity for our industry is


clear: to move beyond simply replacing heating systems and instead create smarter, more connected and more sustainable buildings for the decades ahead. ■


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