- The Aira Indoor Unit Compact replaces your gas boiler, but is much smaller
- It comes with the Aira Heat Pump, one of the best air source heat pumps
- Aira tops our list of the best heat pump installers
Green heating company Aira has launched the Aira Indoor Unit Compact, now one of the smallest indoor heat pump units on the market.
Aira is our number one best heat pump installer and makes one of the best air source heat pumps you can buy. The Aira Heat Pump is a superb product, but it can’t work alone – it needs an indoor unit to deliver heat to your home.
Indoor units can be bulky, just like boilers. But Aira’s new compact unit packs its power into very little space. At 40 x 72cm and just 25cm deep it’s about the size of two old-school briefcases side by side, but much more chic.
The downside of such dinkiness is that the compact unit can’t store enough water to run your taps, let alone fill your radiators. So you have to use it with Aira’s hot water cylinder and buffer tank.
All these products come with payment options and a 15-year guarantee, and Aira can claim the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) grant for you. Here we take a closer look at Aira’s new arrival.
Get £7500 towards your heat pump installation through a trusted installer
An MCS-certified heat pump installer can apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme on your behalf, get a quote from one now
Get QuotesWhat is the Aira Indoor Unit Compact?
The Aira Indoor Unit Compact is a new part of Aira’s heat pump system, one of the best air source heat pumps you can buy. The unit’s small size is its big selling point.
“Whilst designing the new Aira Indoor Unit Compact, we focused on maintaining our signature Scandi style,” says Aira’s product director Anna Gustavsson. “This ensures it not only performs at the highest level but also looks great in any space.”
Aira’s indoor/outdoor system works just like other air source heat pumps. The outdoor unit extracts heat from the outside air, even when it’s freezing cold. The indoor unit then delivers heat to your home. The system can also act as a low-carbon air conditioner in summer.
With the launch of the Aira Indoor Unit Compact, you now have two indoor units to choose from when having an Aira heat pump installed.
Is the compact unit just a small version of the standard unit?
No, there are key differences that may influence which one you choose if you’re considering an Aira heat pump system.
The standard Aira Indoor Unit (below) is an all-in-one unit. It delivers warm air to your home, stores hot water for your taps, and optimises your system using “Aira Intelligence”. It’s available in 100 litre and 250 litre sizes.
The new Aira Indoor Unit Compact manages the flow of hot water, but it can’t store hot water. To do that, you need a hot water cylinder as well.
What other system components will I need?
Aira’s hot water cylinder is a must-have if you’re opting for the compact indoor unit, which isn’t big enough to store hot water. The cylinder comes in sizes ranging from 150 litres to 300 litres.
If you’re opting for the standard Aira Indoor Unit, you won’t need an additional hot water cylinder. However, both sizes of indoor unit have to be coupled with a buffer tank.
Aira’s buffer tank stores hot water for radiators or underfloor heating if you have it. It’s available in 40 litres and 100 litres and is included with all Aira installations.
Bear these components in mind when planning. The new compact indoor unit is tiny, but your home will need space for the hot water cylinder and buffer tank, as well as for the larger outdoor unit.
Aira will discuss the size and cost implications of all these system options when you’re arranging your quote. Under the 15-year guarantee, you won’t have to pay for spare parts or maintenance either.
What (or who) is Aira?
Aira took the number one spot in our list of the best heat pump installers. The company installs residential heat pump systems, solar panels, insulation, storage batteries and EV chargers across much of Europe and the UK.
It’s made a big impact in a short time. Aira was founded in Sweden in 2022 and has only been operating in Britain since November 2023. It already has a number of “hubs” across the country, and recently invested £300 million in its UK growth plans.
The firm’s subscription-style monthly finance plan is unique in the heat pumps industry. The plan has been described as “Spotify for heat pumps”, but it’s not quite that simple: you still have to apply for finance and have your credit approved.
This financing is offered in addition to the £7,500 BUS grant, which Aira’s team applies for on behalf of its customers. The grant is then deducted from your bill.
READ NEXT: Aira review – The UK’s best heat pump installer
How good is the Aira Heat Pump system?
Aira only works with one brand of heat pump: its own. The Aira Heat Pump is one of the best heat pumps you can buy, and features in our rundown of the best air source heat pumps available in the UK.
The Aira Heat Pump’s outdoor unit comes in three sizes (6kW, 8kW and 12kW). It’s a beautifully designed product that delivers among the best performance you’ll find in any air source heat pump. Its energy ratings (up to A+++), efficiency (470%) and cold weather performance are all top class.
With the pump and indoor unit you also get the Aira Home Energy app, which lets you control and monitor your heating, hot water and thermostat from anywhere. Aira’s engineers can even troubleshoot your system remotely via the app.
The system comes with the best warranty in the business. The 15-year “Comfort Guarantee” is a full five years longer than the next-best heat pump installer’s guarantee. The guarantee promises an indoor temperature of between 18˚C and 22˚C, even on the coldest day of the year.
Get £7500 towards your heat pump installation through a trusted installer
An MCS-certified heat pump installer can apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme on your behalf, get a quote from one now
Get Quotes
