Samsung EHS vs Viessmann Vitocal: Which Air Source Heat Pump Is Better? (2026)
Quick Verdict
Viessmann Vitocal is the more efficient choice with a higher SCOP, meaning lower running costs over time, while Samsung EHS is more budget-friendly with pre-grant pricing from £8,000 (the £7,500 grant applies equally to both in England and Wales).
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Samsung EHS | Viessmann Vitocal |
|---|---|---|
| Installed price (before grant) | £8,000 - £12,000Lower | £10,000 - £16,000 |
| After £7,500 grant (illustrative, England and Wales) | £500 - £4,500 | £2,500 - £8,500 |
| SCOP (seasonal efficiency) | 4 | 4.4Higher |
| Max heat output | 8kW | 8kW |
| Unit warranty | 5 years | 7 yearsLonger |
| Compressor warranty | 5 years | 7 yearsLonger |
| Noise level | 43dB | 43dB |
| Annual running cost (est.) | ~£625/yr | ~£570/yrLower |
| Refrigerant | Varies by model | R290High flow temps |
| Country | South Korea | Germany |
| UK brand | No | No |
| Best for | Budget-conscious buyers using an independent MCS installer | Period-property owners who want premium hardware without a full radiator re-pipe |
Specifications and pricing are indicative for the UK market as at June 2026. Post-grant figures illustrate the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme in England and Wales (Scotland uses the Home Energy Scotland grant and loan; Northern Ireland has no equivalent). Running costs assume ~10,000 kWh of heat a year at 25p/kWh (Ofgem cap average; changes quarterly). Confirm current models and exact pricing with your MCS-certified installer.
Price Comparison
Samsung EHS starts from £8,000 installed before any support (indicative, June 2026), while Viessmann Vitocal starts from £10,000. That is a difference of roughly £2,000 at the entry level. Samsung EHS is the more budget-friendly option upfront, though Viessmann Vitocal may claw some of that back through running costs over time. Both are installed prices in GBP with 0% VAT (until 31 March 2027) already applied. In England and Wales the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant comes off both equally, so the pre-grant difference carries straight through: illustratively £500 - £4,500 for Samsung EHS and £2,500 - £8,500 for Viessmann Vitocal out of pocket. Your MCS-certified installer claims the grant for you.
Efficiency Comparison
SCOP (seasonal coefficient of performance) is the key efficiency metric for a heating heat pump: it measures how many kilowatt-hours of heat you get per kilowatt-hour of electricity across a whole heating season. Samsung EHS reaches a SCOP of 4, while Viessmann Vitocal reaches 4.4. The Viessmann Vitocal is roughly 10% more efficient on this measure, which on our estimates is worth about £55 a year at Ofgem cap electricity prices, or approximately £550 over ten years. Real-world SCOP depends heavily on system design and flow temperature, which is what the MCS heat-loss survey is for.
Warranty Comparison
Samsung EHS offers a 5-year unit warranty and 5-year compressor warranty. Viessmann Vitocal offers a 7-year unit warranty and 7-year compressor warranty. The Viessmann Vitocal has the stronger coverage with 7 years on the unit, 2 more than the Samsung EHS. Note that accredited-installer schemes often extend manufacturer warranties, so ask each installer what they can register for you. Workmanship cover for the installation itself comes separately from your installer and should be at least 12 months, in writing.
Noise Comparison
Noise matters in UK homes because the outdoor unit often sits close to a neighbour's boundary or a bedroom window, and siting is part of the installation assessment. Samsung EHS operates from 43dB, while Viessmann Vitocal runs from 43dB. Both units produce the same rated noise level, so there is no difference on paper; siting quality will decide how noticeable either is.
Cold-Weather and Retrofit Suitability
Two things decide how well a unit suits an older UK home: cold-weather output and flow temperature. Samsung EHS uses a refrigerant that varies by model, while Viessmann Vitocal uses R290. Viessmann Vitocal's R290 (propane) range reaches high flow temperatures, which helps existing radiators carry the load without a full re-pipe, a real advantage in period properties and quick retrofits. Modern units from both brands hold useful output well below freezing. In the colder parts of the UK (Scotland and northern England in particular), frosty mornings trigger short defrost cycles that trim efficiency, so ask each installer for low-temperature output figures and take the MCS heat-loss survey seriously; radiator upsizing is more commonly recommended there so the system can run at efficient flow temperatures.
Pros and Cons
Samsung EHS
Pros
- Strong value pricing
- Quiet for the price tier
- High flow temperature option
- Wide installer availability
Cons
- Shorter warranty than premium rivals
- Brand less heating-specialist than boiler names
Viessmann Vitocal
Pros
- Top-tier German build quality
- High flow temperature (radiator-friendly)
- Excellent SCOP
- Quiet operation
Cons
- Among the priciest options
- Smaller UK installer pool than Mitsubishi/Daikin
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Samsung EHS if...
- You want a lower upfront cost (from £8,000 vs £10,000 before the grant)
Choose Viessmann Vitocal if...
- You want the best efficiency and lowest running costs (SCOP 4.4 vs 4)
- You want a longer unit warranty (7 years vs 5 years)
- You want lower estimated annual running costs (~£570/yr vs ~£625/yr)
- You want R290 refrigerant with high flow temperatures, which helps existing radiators carry the load without a full re-pipe
The grant is the same, whichever brand you pick
Every air-to-water unit on this page qualifies for the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant in England and Wales (£9,000 for oil and LPG heated homes from 21 July 2026) when fitted by an MCS-certified installer, who claims it on your behalf so it comes straight off the quote. Scotland uses the Home Energy Scotland grant of up to £7,500 (£9,000 rural and island) plus an optional interest-free loan; Northern Ireland currently has no equivalent scheme. 0% VAT on residential installations applies UK-wide until 31 March 2027. Accurate as at June 2026.
Where are you?
See indicative costs and local installers for your area