Daikin Multi+ transforms a 1980s home with a modern system, set for the future

When Mr and Mrs Willis decided it was time to update the heating system in their 1980s semi-detached home in Plymouth, they set their sights on something modern, efficient and future-friendly. After more than two decades in the property, their open-vented gas boiler - with tanks in the loft and a cylinder in a bedroom cupboard - was noisy, outdated and taking up valuable space. Time for change.

Their search for a greener alternative first began in 2022 at Fully Charged LIVE UK, an electric vehicle and clean energy show held in Farnborough: “We’d gone along to look at renewable technologies, and visited the Daikin stand there, which really caught our imagination for transforming our home set up.” says homeowner Keith Willis. “I was actually familiar with Daikin technology, because in my job at school I’d sat in an office for about 15 years, which used a Daikin air-to-air system to both heat and cool it, so I knew their products were really reliable.”

Local expertise and trusted installation

To carry out the installation, the couple turned to HPE Airflow Southwest, run by experienced Daikin installer Alan Carruthers. Alan has been working with Daikin since 2008 and has installed, serviced and commissioned a wide range of their systems across the Southwest. “I’ve been fitting Daikin units for many years and know their products well,” he explains. “They’re reliable, very efficient and are always backed by excellent technical support from Daikin.”

When it came to the actual system to be installed Alan and Keith worked closely together: “Regarding the technical solution and the sourcing of the Daikin system, Keith had already done a lot of his own research and chose the Daikin Multi+ system for quality and reliability. I sized the units for the heating and cooling required in the property, working out the electrical supply to all units, including the outdoor system.”

Thoughtful design and a neat installation

Before work began, Alan carried out a full survey to size the system and check the property’s electrical capacity. To accommodate the heat pump and the homeowners’ existing EV charger, the three-way consumer unit was upgraded to a five-way version with full RCD protection.

“I mounted the outdoor unit neatly above the side pathway,” Alan explains. “Inside, we fitted two silver Daikin Emura wall units in the lounge and kitchen and a compact ceiling cassette on the landing, which is so efficient that it actually heats all the surrounding rooms. The new Multi+ 230L cylinder provides mains-pressure hot water, and because the pressure is so much better than the old water tank in the loft, we even upgraded and installed the main shower system to accommodate the better pressure.”

The installation took place over just a few days, with no interruption to the Willis household. “Alan kept us fully informed throughout,” says Keith. “He made sure we always had hot water, even while the old boiler and tanks were being removed. It was a big job, but it all went very smoothly from our end. No issues!”

Daikin technology and connectivity

The new system incorporates a Daikin Multi+ 230L cylinder, two Daikin Emura (silver) indoor units, and a compact ceiling cassette, along with updated pipework, trunking and wiring. Each component was installed and commissioned to Daikin’s standards for full efficiency and warranty protection. 

The Willis’s manage their heating and hot water through the Daikin Onecta app, which provides simple, real-time control. “The Onecta App’s great,” Keith says. “You can see what the system’s doing at any given time, check the tank temperature and adjust timings very easily. It’s straightforward and practical, and it provides me with all the data I need to monitor the system.”

Energy savings and comfort

Since the installation, the couple have already noticed improvements. “The whole system is much quieter than the old boiler and far more responsive,” says Keith. “The hot water pressure is better, and we’ve already seen our gas use drop to almost nothing. It’s reassuring to know that most of our heating is now electric - it genuinely feels like a step into the future. Even though the system has only been in place for a few weeks, we’re already showing savings of nearly £50 a month on our energy bills for the same time last year.”

Alan agrees that Daikin’s design makes a difference. “Multi+ is a great option for homes like Keith’s - compact, well-built and easy to install. It gives homeowners an efficient solution without the need for major alterations to their homes.” 

Keith and his wife are very pleased with the results. “Alan and his team were excellent – tidy, thoughtful and very professional,” he says. “The new set-up works well, and if it performs like the Daikin air-to-air heater at school, then we’re in for perfectly reliable heating over the long-term. It’s made a real difference to the way we heat our home. We’re ready for the future!”