Daikin air-to-air heat pump brings quiet efficiency to a Devon eco barn

In a quiet corner of Devon, homeowner Tom undertook an ambitious eco-renovation project: converting a barn into a high-performance, energy-efficient home. It’s a story of design vision, insulation innovation, and engineering trust.

For Devon farmer Tom, designing an off-grid, low-energy home was a long-held ambition. The vision: to create a space that didn’t just look good, but performed flawlessly: thermally efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally conscious. Insulated with straw bales, Tom’s home in Cullompton, near Exeter, needed a heating and cooling solution that was just as thoughtful as its designer.

A home designed for low-energy living

Tom explored several options before finding a solution that ticked all his eco-boxes. “I read a lot about heat pumps and properly did my research. In the end, I contacted Daikin directly, as their reviews were very positive across the board, and they put me in touch with Gareth at 4 Seasons Solutions in Exeter.”

Precision installation for a unique build

Gareth Williamson, who has been installing Daikin systems for around 20 years and whose company has been a trusted Daikin Partner for the last seven years, arranged a technical survey at Tom’s property. “We designed a suitable system in-house based on the heat losses and cooling requirements of the space,” Gareth explains. “Then we submitted a quotation, and once accepted, booked the installation.”

Even for an experienced installer, Tom’s straw bale construction required special care. “Aesthetics, hiding pipework and a straw wall!” Gareth recalls. “To maintain the air-tightness of the building, this was sleeved and resealed so as not to affect the efficiency of the house. Tom actually did some of the prep work himself.”

When the wind blows

Installed in the central hallway, the Daikin unit heats the entire home quietly and efficiently including the rooms upstairs. “It’s a single unit, and it heats the whole house, quickly. It’s that efficient,” Tom says. “It’s silent, and when the wind’s blowing, you can’t hear it at all. We’re very happy with it.”

Tom particularly values the control offered by Daikin’s Onecta app: “I can see exactly how much power we’re using. It’s drawing about 200 watts most of the time. It’s really efficient. I’ve used it to fine-tune ‘how and when’ we heat the house, but honestly, I barely need to touch it. It takes care of itself in the background.”

And it’s not just heating that the system delivers. “It cools well too,” he adds. "I’ve only used it to cool once. The house is so well insulated that even on very hot days, it stays pretty cool inside. Still, it’s good to know we have it in case of a summer heatwave."

Running costs that give credit to Tom

The real standout feature? Cost-effectiveness. Tom’s home is powered by solar PV and battery storage, with an off-peak tariff to boot. “It cost us under £2,000 all in, and our electricity bills are basically zero. Most of the time we’re exporting,” he explains. “The truth is that our complementary system makes us enough money to cover non-energy related bills – so we’re in credit financially with this set-up.”

Performance that stands the test of time

For Gareth, the Daikin system installed in Tom’s home is one he’s happy to fully endorse. “It’s a fantastic unit, very energy efficient with SCOPs of over 5.15, which means for every 1kW in, we get 5.15kW out,” he explains. “It’s quiet, reliable, and the Onecta smartphone interface allows Tom to monitor energy usage and control the settings. I actually have one fitted at my own home, so I’m always happy to recommend this unit to our customers.”

The product’s reliability is matched by the support behind it. “We’ve been installing Daikin products for two decades, and the level of manufacturer support from Daikin is exceptional – vital for both us as an installing partner, and the customer too.”

Built-in peace of mind

After more than a year of daily use, Tom reports zero issues. “It’s been no trouble whatsoever,” he says. “It just does what it’s supposed to do. You set it up and then forget it’s even there.”