The Midea M Thermal Arctic R290 is Midea's natural-refrigerant monobloc air-to-water heat pump range, using propane (R290) with an ultra-low GWP of 3. Available in seven capacities from 4 kW to 16 kW — select the output that matches your calculated heat loss on the variant selector. The range delivers flow temperatures up to 75°C and is engineered for genuinely cold UK winters, with all-DC compressor and fan motor technology across every capacity. Like the R32 range, the 12, 14 and 16 kW models are also available in 3-phase.
1 or 3-Phase
Electrical supply
Up to 10 yrs
Mi Pro warranty
BUS grant eligible
The Midea M Thermal Arctic R290 range is MCS certified and eligible for the UK Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant when installed by an MCS-certified installer in an eligible property.
R290 outdoor unit siting
R290 is an A3 flammable refrigerant. UK installation requires minimum clearances from doors, windows, drains and ignition sources per Midea's technical manual. Most domestic gardens accommodate the unit easily — constrained sites need design review before ordering.
MCS-certified installer required
To claim the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant and validate the full Midea warranty pathway, this heat pump must be installed and commissioned by an MCS-certified heat pump installer.
Choose your capacity
| Heating output |
Electrical supply |
Typical property fit |
| 4 kW |
1-phase |
Small, well-insulated 1–2 bedroom homes and flats |
| 6 kW |
1-phase |
Typical 2–3 bedroom UK homes |
| 8 kW |
1-phase |
3–4 bedroom semis and detached homes |
| 10 kW |
1-phase |
Larger 3–4 bedroom detached properties |
| 12 kW |
1-phase or 3-phase |
Large 4–5 bedroom detached, or 3-phase supply properties |
| 14 kW |
1-phase or 3-phase |
Very large detached, older retrofits, or 3-phase supply properties |
| 16 kW |
1-phase or 3-phase |
Large detached or light commercial, or 3-phase supply properties |
Sizing tip
Choose your capacity from a calculated room-by-room heat loss survey against your local winter design temperature. Midea's engineering data shows this range holding useful capacity down to -25°C ambient — always confirm output at your design condition rather than nameplate kW alone.
3-phase availability
12, 14 and 16 kW variants are available in either 1-phase or 3-phase electrical supply — specify which your property has (or which your DNO connection supports) when ordering. The 4, 6, 8 and 10 kW variants are 1-phase only.
Why choose the M Thermal Arctic R290
R290 refrigerant — GWP 3
Natural propane refrigerant with a GWP of just 3 — close to one-thousand times lower than R32. The most future-proof choice ahead of tightening UK F-Gas regulation.
Flow temperatures up to 75°C
Delivers 75°C flow at -10°C ambient, and 55°C flow at -25°C ambient — exceptional for radiator-only retrofits where existing emitters need to stay in place.
Strong cold-weather output
Engineering data shows useful heating capacity maintained down to -25°C ambient — dependable through genuinely cold UK winter conditions without leaning on backup electric.
All-DC compressor and fan
Both the compressor and fan motor are DC inverter-driven across every capacity — continuous modulation for efficiency and quiet running, no fixed-speed short-cycling.
Heating, cooling and DHW
Delivers space heating, active cooling and sanitary hot water production from a single unit.
Sealed monobloc design
Refrigerant circuit fully sealed at the factory — installer connects water pipes only, no on-site refrigerant handling required.
Wide operating envelope
Engineered across a wide ambient range for UK climate conditions, with hydronic performance data published per capacity band (4–6 kW, 8–10 kW, 12–16 kW).
Mi Pro 10-year warranty available
Midea offers up to a 10-year parts and labour warranty through their Mi Pro Partner installer accreditation scheme.
Platform specification (all variants)
| Range |
Midea M Thermal Arctic R290 Monobloc |
| Type |
R290 air-to-water monobloc heat pump |
| Available capacities |
4 / 6 / 8 / 10 / 12 / 14 / 16 kW |
| Refrigerant |
R290 propane (GWP 3, sealed factory charge) |
| Maximum flow temperature |
75°C (at -10°C ambient); 55°C (at -25°C ambient) |
| Compressor |
All-DC inverter driven |
| Fan motor |
All-DC |
| Minimum rated ambient (4 kW) |
-25°C (per Midea EN14511 capacity table) |
| Electrical supply |
1-phase (4–16 kW); 3-phase also available on 12/14/16 kW |
| Functions |
Heating, cooling, sanitary hot water |
| Certifications |
MCS certified, BUS grant eligible |
| Warranty |
Up to 10 years parts and labour via Midea Mi Pro Partner installer |
| Pipework — up to 6 kW |
Insulated Hose 1" FBSP × 28 mm CU, 500 mm long (pair) |
| Pipework — 8 kW and above |
Insulated Hose 1.25" FBSP 90° × 28 mm CU × 750 mm long |
| Anti-freeze valve (all units) |
28 mm Anti-Freeze Valve — ZERO28 |
What's in the box (every variant)
- Midea M Thermal Arctic R290 outdoor monobloc unit (capacity per selected variant)
- Manufacturer installation and commissioning documentation
- Midea warranty registration documentation
What you'll also need (sold separately)
- Insulated flow/return hose pair — size per capacity (see pipework spec above)
- 28 mm Anti-Freeze Valve (ZERO28) — required on all units
- Rubber anti-vibration feet (required on all units)
- DHW cylinder (heat-pump-suitable, indirect coil sized for low flow temperature)
- Outdoor wall bracket or floor stand
- Magnetic system filter on the primary return
Frequently Asked Questions
Which kW should I choose?
Choose the variant that matches your calculated heat loss against your local winter design temperature. As a rough guide: 4 kW for small well-insulated 1–2 bed homes; 6 kW for typical 2–3 bed homes; 8 kW for 3–4 bed semis and detached; 10 kW for larger 3–4 bed detached; 12–16 kW for large detached, older retrofits or 3-phase-supply properties. Always confirm with a heat loss survey.
Is R290 safe for a domestic installation?
Yes. R290 is widely used across Europe in domestic heat pumps and refrigeration. The refrigerant is sealed inside the outdoor unit, which sits outside the property. UK installation rules govern minimum siting clearances to ensure safety; a competent designer will ensure these are met.
Why choose R290 over R32?
Three reasons: (1) much lower GWP — better environmental credentials and futureproofing against tightening F-Gas rules; (2) higher flow temperatures up to 75°C, useful for radiator retrofits; and (3) strong cold-weather performance, with Midea's own capacity data showing useful output maintained down to -25°C ambient.
Can I choose 1-phase or 3-phase?
The 4, 6, 8 and 10 kW variants are 1-phase only. The 12, 14 and 16 kW variants are available in either 1-phase or 3-phase — specify which suits your property's electrical supply when ordering.
Will my existing radiators be enough?
R290's 75°C flow temperature capability means existing radiators sized for a gas boiler will usually deliver enough output without uprating. A heat loss survey identifies any coldest-rooms exceptions.
Do I need to be MCS-registered to install this?
The unit can be installed by any competent heating engineer, but to claim the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant the install must be by an MCS-certified installer. To unlock Midea's 10-year warranty, the installer must additionally be a Midea Mi Pro Partner. Quality Heating can connect you with MCS + Mi Pro installers.
