The Daikin Altherma is an air-to-water heat pump — a fundamentally different product from a ductless mini split. Instead of moving heat into the air of a single room, Altherma heats water that circulates through hydronic systems like radiant floors and radiators, and it can supply domestic hot water too. For Greater Vancouver homes with existing hot-water heating, it offers a path to replace or supplement a gas boiler with an efficient electric heat pump.
What Is an Air-to-Water Heat Pump?
An air-to-air heat pump (a typical mini split) extracts heat from outdoor air and blows warm air into your rooms. An air-to-water heat pump extracts that same outdoor heat but transfers it into water. That heated water then flows through your home’s hydronic distribution — in-floor radiant loops, hydronic baseboards, or radiators — and can also feed a tank for domestic hot water. In other words, Altherma can do much of the job a gas boiler does today, but with a heat pump’s efficiency.
- Air-to-air mini split: heats and cools the air in specific rooms.
- Air-to-water Altherma: heats water for radiant/radiator heating and domestic hot water — a true boiler alternative.
Altherma 3: Monobloc vs Split, and High-Temp
Daikin’s current generation is branded Altherma 3, offered in different configurations that suit different homes:
- Monobloc — the refrigerant circuit is contained entirely in the outdoor unit, and only water lines run into the home. This can simplify installation because the sealed refrigerant system stays outside.
- Split — the system is divided between an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, with refrigerant lines connecting them, which can offer flexibility in how the system is laid out.
- High-temperature (“3 H HT”) — a high-temperature variant designed to supply hotter water, which matters for homes with conventional radiators that were originally sized for a hot boiler. This makes Altherma a more direct boiler replacement in homes that can’t easily switch to low-temperature radiant.
Why Altherma Suits BC Homes with Hydronic Heating
Many Greater Vancouver homes — especially those with radiant floors or radiators — already have the hydronic infrastructure an air-to-water heat pump needs. If you’re facing an aging gas boiler and want to electrify your heating, Altherma can often reuse much of that existing distribution rather than requiring a full ductwork retrofit. A high-temperature Altherma can pair with existing radiators, while standard models pair beautifully with low-temperature radiant floors. It’s a particularly compelling option for homeowners who want to reduce reliance on gas while keeping the comfort of hydronic heat.
Rebates and Incentives
Switching from gas to an efficient electric heat pump can make a home eligible for FortisBC and CleanBC rebate programs that support heat pump adoption. Eligibility and amounts depend on the specific equipment, your home, and current program rules, so we won’t quote figures here. ROMA helps confirm what your project qualifies for and assists with the paperwork as part of the install.
Altherma Configuration Comparison
| Configuration | How it’s arranged | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Altherma 3 Monobloc | Refrigerant stays outdoors; water lines indoors | Simpler installs, keeping refrigerant outside |
| Altherma 3 Split | Outdoor + indoor unit with refrigerant lines | Layout flexibility |
| Altherma 3 H HT (high-temp) | Supplies hotter water | Homes with existing radiators / boiler replacement |
How ROMA Installs Your Altherma System
ROMA Heating & Cooling has served Greater Vancouver from Burnaby since 1999, and replacing and modernizing boilers is core to what we do. We assess your existing hydronic system, confirm whether a standard or high-temperature Altherma is the right fit, and design the changeover so your radiant or radiator heating keeps working with the new heat pump. As a TSBC-licensed gas contractor (Gas licence LGA0202903) authorized to install 30+ brands, our licensed technicians handle the refrigerant, electrical, and sealed-system work that an air-to-water install demands. You get upfront flat-rate pricing, free estimates on installations, 0% financing OAC, and help applying any FortisBC/CleanBC rebates your equipment qualifies for.
Learn more on our heat pump page, see how ductless compares on our ductless AC installation in Vancouver page, review summer cooling on our air conditioning page, or book a free estimate to discuss a boiler replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Daikin Altherma replace my gas boiler? In many hydronic homes, yes. Altherma heats water for radiant floors, radiators, and domestic hot water, so it can take over much of a boiler’s role. A high-temperature “3 H HT” model is often the right choice when existing radiators need hotter water.
How is Altherma different from a mini split? A mini split is air-to-air — it heats and cools room air. Altherma is air-to-water — it heats water that circulates through hydronic heating and hot water systems. They solve different problems.
What’s the difference between monobloc and split Altherma? A monobloc keeps the refrigerant circuit in the outdoor unit and runs only water indoors, which can simplify the install. A split has separate outdoor and indoor units connected by refrigerant lines, offering more layout flexibility.
Are there rebates for installing an Altherma? Electrifying with an efficient heat pump can make your home eligible for FortisBC/CleanBC incentives. Amounts and eligibility vary, so ROMA confirms what your specific project qualifies for and helps with the paperwork.
What Greater Vancouver Homeowners Say
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Why Greater Vancouver Trusts ROMA Heating & Cooling
ROMA Heating & Cooling has installed, repaired and maintained heating and cooling systems across Metro Vancouver since 1999. Our team are TSBC-licensed gas fitters (Gas LGA0202903) and Red Seal-trained technicians — licensed, bonded and insured — and we back every job with upfront, flat-rate pricing and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. We hold a 4.8★ rating from 221+ Google reviews.
- Authorized for 30+ brands (Lennox, Carrier, Viessmann, Navien, Rheem & more)
- Upfront flat-rate pricing — no overtime or hidden fees
- Free, no-obligation estimates on new installations
- Locally owned & operated in Burnaby, BC
No Hidden Fees
Our service rates are transparent and easy to understand. You approve upfront, flat-rate pricing before we start — so you never get a bill you didn’t expect.
Licensed & Bonded
ROMA is a TSBC-licensed gas contractor (Gas LGA0202903). Our technicians are bonded, insured and Red Seal-trained — qualified for any heating or cooling system.
Free Estimates
We offer free, no-obligation estimates on new installations — furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, air conditioners, tankless and hot-water tanks.
ROMA Heating & Cooling is a trusted HVAC contractor serving Metro Vancouver since 1999. We specialize in furnace repair, heat pump installation, boiler services, air conditioning, and emergency heating solutions for residential, commercial, and government clients. Available 24/7, our certified technicians deliver fast, reliable, and affordable HVAC services across Greater Vancouver.