How to choose the best air-to-water heat pump for Lithuania’s climate in 2026?

Today, choosing the right air-to-water heat pump means much more than comparing prices or rated power. In Lithuanian winters, what matters most is how the unit performs at subzero temperatures, what water temperature it maintains, whether it’s suitable for underfloor heating and radiators, and whether it won’t require frequent extra work. In this guide, we’ll clearly show what to look for in 2026, when it’s worth considering IGLU Inuit or IGLU Inuit Mono and which questions to ask before making the final decision.

Key takeaways

• For homes with low-temperature heating, a model with higher seasonal efficiency is usually more beneficial, even if its nominal capacity looks lower in the catalog.
• If you care about hot water without the electric heater switching on frequently, you need to compare separately how a specific model reaches 60–65 °C.
• IGLU Inuit Mono stands out with a higher supply temperature (up to 75 °C), R290 refrigerant, and an A+++ SCOP rating at 35 °C.

A comprehensive overview for choosing an air-to-water heat pump

What does it really mean to choose an air-to-water heat pump well?

Choosing an air-to-water heat pump well means assessing which model will operate stably and economically throughout the season according to your home’s heat demand, heating system, domestic hot water usage, and Lithuanian winter conditions. It’s not just reading tables—it’s understanding the logic of the system.

What should you look at first when choosing a heat pump for Lithuania’s climate?

In Lithuania, it’s important how the pump works not only at +7 °C, but also at 2 °C, -7 °C, or even lower, because that’s when the true stability of the system becomes apparent.

The ambient temperature range for the IGLU Inuit heating mode spans from -25 to +35 °C, which meets Lithuania’s climate requirements. For example, IGLU Inuit 6 at O7/V35 it has a COP of 4.92, while at O-7/V35 the COP drops to 2.75 according to IGLU TECH technical data. This is not a drawback—it’s a normal operating principle of heat pumps that buyers often forget.

Even more importantly, at lower outdoor temperatures you need not only a good COP value but also sufficient power. According to IGLU TECH technical data, IGLU Inuit 12 at O-7/V35 it maintains a nominal heating capacity of 11.77 kW, and IGLU Inuit 16 under the same conditions it has 14.38 kW. In other words, for larger homes or buildings with higher heat losses, the efficiency of the smaller model alone will not be enough.

If the house has underfloor heating, a 35 °C supply mode often allows for better seasonal efficiency. If there are radiators remaining in the home, then it’s essential to check whether the unit operates efficiently enough at 45–55 °C water temperature. This is exactly where buyers often make a mistake, choosing a pump by “kW from the catalog” rather than by the actual supply temperature.

How to choose between IGLU Inuit Split and IGLU Inuit Mono?

The choice between split and mono practically depends on the system architecture, the required supply temperature, and the installation logic. IGLU Inuit Split and IGLU Inuit Mono differ not only in size or shape, but also in refrigerant, maximum temperature, and the capacity of WT versions.

IGLU Inuit Split is a two-unit inverter system with 6, 9, 12, and 16 kW models. This series is designed to operate down to -25 °C and reaches a flow temperature of up to 65 °C. The WT versions integrate a 200 L domestic hot water tank made of AISI 444 stainless steel. Refrigerant – R32 or R410A, depending on the model. The system operates as a split: an outdoor unit and an indoor hydraulic module, so the installation scheme differs from a monoblock.

IGLU Inuit Mono is a single-casing system with 5, 8, 12, and 16 kW models. It uses R290 refrigerant (propane) – more eco-friendly and with a better thermodynamic profile at higher supply temperatures. According to the technical data, it reaches a maximum supply temperature of up to 75 °C; at -10 °C it can heat water to 70 °C without an auxiliary heater, and the SCOP at 35 °C reaches up to 5.10 with an A+++ rating. The WT versions integrate a 180 L tank – slightly more compact than the Split WT.

These differences are practically important. If you have an older house with radiators and a need for higher temperatures, a monoblock can be a serious candidate both for its temperature headroom and for the efficiency of R290. If you are building a new or renovated house with underfloor heating and want a different indoor configuration logic, a split can also be a rational choice. A broader air-to-water heat pump selection context is worth reviewing separately.

A monoblock is not “automatically better.” You need to assess freeze protection for the outdoor hydraulic section, installation quality, and how well the system is adapted to the property. You should choose split or mono not based on fashion, but on the specific scenario of the house.

What’s important to review when choosing a heat pump?

The most important figures are the ones that show performance under conditions relevant to you. A single COP at O7/V35 often looks nice, but it’s not the full picture if the house requires a supply temperature of 45 °C or 55 °C.

For example, IGLU Inuit 6 at O7/V35 it has a COP of 4.92, but at O7/V55 it’s already 2.65. IGLU Inuit Mono 5 at O7/V35 it declares a COP of 5.10, while the SCOP at 35 °C is also 5.10 with an A+++ class. This doesn’t mean one model is always better. It means the choice depends heavily on your system’s temperature regime.

Another important metric is the maximum supply temperature. In the IGLU Inuit technical data it reaches 65 °C, while for IGLU Inuit Mono it goes up to 75 °C. If the home has old radiators and no deep renovation is planned, this difference can be practically significant. If the house is heated with underfloor heating, a lower temperature is usually needed, so SCOP becomes more important than top performance at high temperature.

It’s also worth treating the noise figures with caution. The IGLU Inuit Mono product page mentions a 35 dB(A) value, but in the technical data the sound pressure levels for different models are listed in a different measurement context, for example, 41–51 dB for the outdoor unit. These figures are not directly comparable — you need to ask under what conditions the noise was measured.

What mistakes do buyers most often make when choosing?

The most common mistake is choosing a heat pump based on a single number or one neighbor’s experience. A heat pump that works perfectly in a 120 sq. m A++ house with underfloor heating may be completely unsuitable for a 180 sq. m older house with radiators.

The second mistake is underestimating the hot water preparation logic. IGLU Inuit in the models, a hot water temperature from 54 °C to 65 °C is achieved using an additional heater, and IGLU Inuit Mono the models can heat water up to 65 °C using only the compressor. For families with high hot water consumption, this can have a direct impact on operating costs.

The third mistake is ignoring control and diagnostics. IGLU Home Next app according to the user manual, it allows you to monitor electricity consumption, generated thermal energy, COP indicators, errors, and settings in real time, and to control up to 15 thermostat zones. This isn’t just a convenience feature—if you want to understand how the system performs over the season, remote control becomes a real tool.

The fourth mistake is assuming that the pump will solve all problems without system balancing. If a house has messy hydraulics, undersized radiators, or an improperly set heating curve, even a good unit won’t perform as expected. In such a case, it’s worth taking a broader look at heating and energy solutions the context, rather than focusing only on a single product.

When is it worth asking for an expert assessment instead of choosing on your own?

An expert assessment is most needed when the house is not standard. If you have a mixed system with radiators and underfloor heating, are planning cooling, want an integrated tank, or are considering state support, a DIY comparison is often no longer enough.

IGLU systems have heating curve control, separate curves for radiators and underfloor heating, hot water schedules, thermostat zones for up to 15 rooms, and remote fault logging via ⟦MTE_XX_N⟧. IGLU Home Next appThe system can be quite flexible, but it needs to be configured correctly.

The matter of support also requires attention. Under the measure administered by LEA, heat pumps may be eligible for state support, and one of the basic criteria is a COP of no less than 3.0 at +7 °C. The amount of support depends on the specific call conditions. In such cases, you need to coordinate not only the model but also the documentation in advance.

When you need not only equipment but also precise selection, an expert’s work helps avoid the most expensive mistakes. State support for heat pumps Information and an individual technical assessment are the natural next stop.

An independent choice may seem quicker, but the wrong selection will cost more later.

Who might IGLU air-to-water heat pumps not be suitable for?

Before choosing an air-to-water heat pump, it’s worth knowing when it isn’t the best option:

• For very poorly insulated buildings with no renovation plans. If a home’s heat loss exceeds 15–20 kW and no insulation is planned, you’ll need an oversized model with high operating costs.
• When the installation location is highly constrained acoustically. An air-to-water heat pump has an outdoor unit that operates louder than a geothermal system in a boiler room. In densely built neighborhoods or on very small plots, this can cause issues.
• When the heating system is completely out of order. Improperly balanced hydraulics, radiators that are too old or undersized, or damaged underfloor heating pipe loops will mean that even a good unit won’t deliver the expected result — a problem that needs to be solved before purchasing the pump.

Why does IGLU TECH stand out?

IGLU TECH offers a clearly differentiated two-line air-to-water portfolio: IGLU Inuit the split series and IGLU Inuit Mono the series with R290 refrigerant. This is not merely an expansion of the catalog — these are two different technical logics designed for different types of homes and heating scenarios.

IGLU Inuit Mono stands out with what many competitors haven’t reached yet: the R290 propane refrigerant has a low global warming potential (GWP = 3) and a strong thermodynamic profile at higher supply temperatures. As a result, the Mono series achieves up to 75 °C supply temperature and an A+++ SCOP rating at 35 °C — significant figures, especially for homes with a mixed heating system.

The IGLU Inuit Split series with the WT version and an integrated 200 l tank offers a compact solution for those who want a clear, single-manufacturer system with fewer separate hydraulic components. The operating limit down to -25 °C ensures suitability for Lithuania’s climate extremes.

IGLU Home Next app is a separate strength — managing up to 15 thermostat zones, energy statistics, COP and SCOP tracking, error logging, and remote access sharing make it possible in practice not only to control the system, but also to understand it throughout the seasons.

The key IGLU TECH differentiation isn’t the number of products in the catalog, but that they help select the right solution for a specific property — rather than just selling the most popular model.

FAQ

Which is better suited to Lithuania’s climate: IGLU Inuit Mono or IGLU Inuit Split?

Both options can work if chosen correctly. IGLU Inuit Mono stands out with a higher supply temperature and the R290 refrigerant, while IGLU Inuit Split offers a different configuration logic and a 200 L DHW tank. The most important thing is not the type, but compatibility with your specific system.

Is the COP at +7 °C enough to make a decision?

No. It’s only one comparison condition. For Lithuania’s climate you also need to consider performance at 2 °C and -7 °C, the maximum supply temperature, seasonal efficiency (SCOP), and the role of the auxiliary heater during extreme cold.

When is it worth choosing a model with an integrated domestic hot water tank?

The WT version is worth considering when you want a more compact solution in the boiler room. IGLU Inuit WT has a 200 l tank, and IGLU Inuit Mono WT — 180 l. If you already have a good separate water heater or plan a non-standard system, a version without an integrated tank may also be suitable.

Can you get state support for a heat pump?

Yes, but you need to check the LEA call conditions in effect at that time. According to information provided by IGLU and the measure administered by LEA, an important criterion is new equipment and at least 3.0 COP at +7 °C. You can find up-to-date information on the state support for heat pumps page.

When is it really worth contacting a specialist?

When a house has radiators or a mixed system, you’re planning cooling, want to maximize available subsidies, or aren’t sure about the required capacity. In such situations, a technical assessment usually helps avoid a wrong choice.

What should you do next?

If you want to precisely understand how to select an air-to-water heat pump for your home or commercial premises, it’s worth starting with an assessment of your individual needs rather than browsing a catalog. The IGLU TECH team can compare IGLU Inuit, IGLU Inuit Monointegrated tank versions, support options, and real-world applicability for your site. The natural next step is to apply for heat pump selection consultation or view contact page – make your decision based on technical data, not assumptions.