Swedish manufacturer CTC has launched a new range of air source heat pumps in the UK, with the EcoAir C100 series positioned as a high-efficiency option aimed at the mainstream residential market. Distributed by Go Geothermal, the range spans outputs from around 6kW up to just under 16kW, covering the typical needs of small to larger homes.
On paper, the EcoAir C100 range ticks many of the boxes homeowners now expect. It uses the natural refrigerant R290, offers high published seasonal efficiency figures and is designed to operate in cold outdoor conditions down to -22C. The units are relatively compact for their output and come in a subdued black finish, a detail that will matter to anyone concerned about visual impact.
CTC is not a new name in heating. The company has been manufacturing heating equipment in Sweden for over a century, and its products are well established in parts of Europe. The EcoAir C100 range complements its existing line-up, with four models covering a spread of capacities intended to suit everything from smaller, well-insulated homes through to larger properties.
Efficiency figures quoted for the range are strong. The smaller models are rated A++, with the larger units achieving A+++ at both low and higher flow temperatures. SCOP values published under EN14825 testing are competitive, particularly in milder climates like the UK. Noise levels are also claimed to be low, an increasingly important consideration as more units are installed in dense residential areas.
All of this will sound encouraging to homeowners comparing specification sheets. But as ever with heat pumps, the real question is not what a unit can do in a laboratory, but how it performs once it is installed on a real house.
A heat pump’s brand, country of origin or headline SCOP does not guarantee comfort, low bills or quiet operation. Outcomes depend far more on correct sizing, good system design, emitter suitability, controls and commissioning. A high-end unit poorly designed or badly installed will underperform just as reliably as a budget model.
This is particularly relevant given the upper outputs of the EcoAir C100 range. Larger units can be appropriate where a genuine heat loss justifies them, but oversizing remains a persistent problem in the UK market. Homeowners considering systems in the 12-16kW range should be asking detailed questions about heat loss calculations, flow temperatures and seasonal performance expectations, not just peak output.
The use of R290 is also worth noting. While it brings efficiency and environmental benefits, it places additional responsibility on installers to understand system design, siting and safety requirements. Training and competence are important factors here, and homeowners should ensure their installer is experienced with propane-based systems rather than simply offering them as the latest option.
Go Geothermal says it will support the launch with training and technical backing for installers, which is positive. But for homeowners, the most important support still comes before any equipment is selected: clear advice, honest assessment of suitability and realistic expectations about running costs and comfort.
The arrival of another well-specified heat pump range is a sign of a maturing market and greater choice is welcome. Whether the EcoAir C100 proves to be a strong performer in UK homes will depend far less on Swedish heritage or brochure numbers and far more on how carefully it is specified, installed and commissioned in practice.
As ever, the technology is only part of the story.