Daikin Altherma 3 RF Heat Pump - we fit one for the first time

This week we fit the new Daikin Altherma 3 RF refrigerant split heat pump with their integrated indoor unit. Most importantly, is it hard to fit and is it any good? Well, let's find out!
Any commercial enquiries, queries or questions can be sent directly to me at [e-mail].

[@brendanfennell3552]

This has to be the finest Heat Pump installation yet i have watched on youtube and as a prospective customer in Ireland this has demystified the installation set-up for my partner and also my colleagues & neighbours who are also considering a heat pump purchase

[@tinofapples]

Brendan, have you established whether these are available here in Ireland ? Looking a little into the future and believe a hybrid heat pump maybe a better fit than a heat pump for a retro-fit.

[@rowanballinger3690]

Watch heat geek or urban plumbers if you think this is good. This is not the most efficient way to install One of these xxxxx

[@1982hora]

Greetings from Buenos Aires, Argentina...great job you did with the Altherma...beautiful machine, that machine has not arrived here yet, from Daikin...greetings friend, good luck

[@ducharmehvactraining925]

great job and use of the latest tools Bravo!! I would add a nitrogen sweep initially however before the first vacuum. Why not take advantage of the dry nitrogen pressure to push the oxygen and any water vapor out before starting the vacuum.

[@simonhenry1769]

Very tidy work, I liked the care and attention with the pipe flares and use of grips which don't mark the brass nuts.

[@delrey-p]

Really enjoying these videos!

[@ducharmehvactraining925]

I would also exercise the valves on the core removal tool to allow any air to be released from the valve. I would do this before starting the vacuum pump each time.

[@ducharmehvactraining925]

I would also use a rubber gasketed flare cap with a small hole drilled into the cap to test the Schraeder valve tightness after the system has refrigerant pressure. I would not introduce leak soap into the Schraeder valve cavity. Then I would replace with the factory caps.

[@ducharmehvactraining925]

I would also place the micron gauge as far away from the vacuum pump as possible. This means on the liquid line valve in this case. You may have 63 microns at the pump location but a higher reading on the liquid line valve. Granted, you have short lines and a deep vacuum here but as a rule of thumb I would want the micron gauge as far away from the vacuum pump as possible.

[@sorbetingle]

I think Ryan is your equivalent of Jeremy Clarksons Kaleb😁

[@mikeeatwell6672]

why would you set a weather dependant curve for underfloor heating and another for radiators when you fit a low loss header?as your thermostats can be calling for both underfloor and radiators together and all water is mixed in the low loss header anyway, but in general a nice job,

[@jezzaandrews1940]

Nice work👍Very professional. Are these more effecient than having a heated water unit and pressurised cylinder, rather than having a gas refrigerant to the unit?

[@baronsilverbaron757]

My gas boiler needs replacing so I thought why not have a heatpump for the hot water and underfloor heating. Goodness me it looks so complicated especially with all the detailed servicing in another of the videos. I think I'll stick to the gas boiler.

[@CrazedCrittic]

Where id you get those red parallel jaw pliers from? Never seen them before! Great video guys.

[@ram64man]

isn’t the electric connections too close the r290 I thought it had to be at least 2 ft away in case of spark as part of U.K. code requirements

[@mario-nn8eb]

nice work :) how much high pressure should be in heating side bar? and how much low pressure should be in evaporator bar? thanks in advance

[@bojan23]

In my country Daikin instillers telling me that they don’t put buffers any where that they instal pump? How is in Poland and your experience? Isn’t that bad for short cycle for compressor? Thx

[@elringoRS6]

Nice first video 👍

[@dameonhill]

Thanks for your positive feedback, it is genuinely appreciated

[@Richardincancale]

Very interesting - thanks! Question - is there any limitation on the refrigerant pipe routing having any ‘U’ bends where for a water based system you’d have to install an automatic ‘snifter’ valve to get rid of airlocks?

[@dameonhill]

@@Richardincancale Not really Richard. Any air is removed as part of the system evacuation (vacuuming) then the system charged with high pressure refrigerant. The refrigerant is well motivated around the system by the compressor. There are some limitations on static height and overall piping length but you'd have to work hard to fall foul of them in most cases.

[@Richardincancale]

@@dameonhill Thanks for the reply!

[@scottpeters8142]

Nice video 👍 do you need any inserts when pressing onto the soft copper? And where did you get the internal former for hand bending the pipework from? Cheers

[@dameonhill]

Thanks for your comment. No, the press fit only requires the pipe to be prepared by cleaning and deburring in the same way you would prepare for any other jointing method 👍

[@danpop3427]

Give him a Daikin t-shirt.

[@ram64man]

I though you couldn’t install these under a window, it has to have 4 ft clearance because of ozone from the gas

[@dameonhill]

I'm guessing you might be referring to US building code but not sure what you mean about ozone from the refrigerant. This isn't something that features as a UK requirement. R32 refrigerant is heavier than air.

[@tomkacandes8286]

The issue of being close to a window could be for sound, but the part about “ozone from the gas” does not relate to reality.

[@MelodyMan69]

I believe you are confusing 'flues' in your comment. Heat Pump systems do not have a flue. Gas powered units would need those clearances to comply with legislation.

[@ram64man]

@@MelodyMan69 r32 is poisonous there is a legal requirement to keep it x feet from any opening, other newer heat pumps that don't always contain the gas and instead cycle the cold return. there are still requirements/advisory under building code 2023 and part L to still keep them x feet away from an opening however

[@spiremaxi]

why not soldering ?? why making flares and press fittings? the best way is soldering

[@MelodyMan69]

Soldering increases chances of slag in the piping. Not bad for water pipes but deadly for refrigeration piping. In my market there is a move to use 'crimped' connections to do away with brazing.

[@spiremaxi]

@@MelodyMan69 Correct, I see many technicians soldering without using nitrogen

[@spiremaxi]

@@MelodyMan69 If you use nitrogen as we have learned, you will not get any slack in the pipe. This way your tube stays nice and clean on the inside. We learn it here in the Netherlands when we have to solder cooling pipes. soldering is the best no press fitting everbody can do that

[@MelodyMan69]

@@spiremaxi Correct. But in Australia, you need a special certificate to do brazing at heights. Standing on Ladders. So many do NOT use Nitrogen to save time. This is a big problem on Apartment Towers.

[@jeremypritchard9058]

Will it not void warranty using nylock instead of fridge oil on the flares?