Spark of 2026 #6: Panasonic M Series 9 kW Heat Pump
A serious heat pump contender for Britain’s microbore homes
If there is one product quietly rewriting what is possible for retrofit heat pumps in Britain, it is the Panasonic Aquarea M Series 9 kW T CAP.
Most installers know the challenge. Britain has millions of homes running on 8 mm and 10 mm microbore pipework. Traditional heat pumps struggle to move enough water through these narrow circuits. Flow rates collapse. Systems stall. Customers lose faith.
Industry sources estimate that between 4 and 5 million UK homes still rely on microbore pipework. Many were built in the 1970s and 1980s when microbore became popular, and a large share have never been fully repiped. That makes microbore one of the biggest hidden barriers to heat pump adoption in the UK.
The Panasonic M Series T CAP units come with an integrated variable speed circulating pump and are rated for high design flow rates under heating conditions. In the hands of a good designer and installer, that makes the 9 kW M Series a serious contender for tackling microbore without ripping out all the pipework.
Panasonic’s own case study of a 30 year old home in Cumbernauld tells the story. The installer replaced a failing combi boiler on an existing microbore system with a 9 kW M Series T CAP unit and restored stable, comfortable heating throughout the home. Panasonic shows off the actual in stall in place in a full video case story.
Why this matters for 2026
Microbore has often been used as an excuse to say that a home is “not suitable” for a heat pump. The real picture is more nuanced. Some systems will still need secondary pumps or partial repiping to get the hydraulics right. But the M Series shows that with a capable internal pump and proper design, a large number of these homes can be brought into play.
The product is powerful and quiet, with strong low temperature performance and the ability to serve existing radiators at higher flow temperatures. That combination, plus the built in pump, is what earns it a place in the Sparks of 2026 list. It is the difference between a heat pump that works on paper and one that can work on a cold Tuesday morning in a real British microbore home.
Why we are watching Panasonic in 2026
Panasonic are not the loudest brand in the sector. They are not always the trendiest. But they are becoming the quiet force behind some of the most reliable real world installs we see, including on challenging pipework.
In 2026, reliability will matter more than hype.
If you are an installer tackling microbore homes, the M Series 9 kW deserves a serious look, with proper system design and checks on circuit resistance.
If you are a homeowner who has been told that you cannot have a heat pump because of microbore, this may be the sign to get a second opinion.
Spark #6 goes to the Panasonic M Series 9 kW.
Not the flashiest. Not the newest. But absolutely one of the most important.
Todays article was sponsored by Becker and Wolf
Becker & Wolf specializes in cutting-edge technology solutions. Their range of all-in-one heat pumps provides a simpler and more efficient alternative to traditional split units. With everything in one unit, installation is quicker and cost-effective. Perfect for properties where exterior modifications are limited.