Panasonic PACi NX
Multi Zone Duct
Smart Plus Cooling designs and installs the Panasonic PACi NX Multi Zone Duct for homes and businesses across Dartford, Bexleyheath, Gravesend, Kent, Essex and the South East. One hidden ducted unit, up to five zones, each with its own temperature.
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What Is The Multi Zone Duct?
The PACi NX Multi Zone Duct is a ducted indoor unit in Panasonic's PACi NX range with zoning built in. It sits out of sight in a ceiling void, loft or bulkhead, feeds four or five separate ducted outlets, and lets you set a different temperature in each zone from one system.
Most zoned ducted systems add zoning on top of a standard ducted unit, with extra controls and parts in the ductwork. Panasonic has taken a different approach here. The Multi Zone Duct has dedicated fans and motors for each outlet integrated into the unit, so each zone is controlled directly. Panasonic states that no bypass duct is needed and that no external control units or accessories are required for the zoning.
It covers 7.1 kW to 14.0 kW, works with Panasonic's PACi NX Standard outdoor units, uses R32 refrigerant and heats down to -15°C outside. It is one of the options on our Panasonic ducted air conditioning page, alongside the UD3 slim ducted unit and the PACi NX adaptive ducted range.
- Independent temperature control for up to five zones from one indoor unit.
- Dedicated fans and motors for each outlet, built into the unit.
- No bypass duct and no external zoning controls or accessories.
- Horizontal or vertical installation to suit the space.
- Built-in Wi-Fi, one internet connection for all zones, and the Aquarea Home app.
- 7.1 kW to 14.0 kW, R32, heating down to -15°C outside.
How The Zoning Works
Instead of one fan pushing air into a shared duct and then splitting it between rooms, the Multi Zone Duct has a separate fan and motor behind each outlet. Each one is run on its own, which is how the unit gives each zone its own temperature.
One fan per outlet
Panasonic describes "dedicated fans and motors for each outlet integrated" into the unit. The S-7110PQ41E indoor unit has four fans and the S-1014PQ51E has five, giving four or five zones.
No bypass duct
Panasonic says no bypass duct is needed thanks to intelligent direct control. That means less ductwork to fit in the void and a simpler layout to design.
No add-on zoning kit
The zoning is part of the unit, so there is no separate zoning interface or set of external zone accessories to add, wire and commission alongside it.
Each zone set separately
Each zone can be controlled independently from the PCZ-EEB749 wall-mounted controller or the Aquarea Home app, so bedrooms, living space and a home office can each run at their own temperature.
Outlets can be grouped
Panasonic notes the controller can also operate multiple fans together for wider coverage or higher capacity, useful for a large open-plan room that needs more than one outlet.
One outdoor unit
The indoor unit pairs with a single PACi NX Standard outdoor unit. There is one set of refrigerant pipes to run, however many zones the system serves.
Where The Multi Zone Duct Suits
Panasonic designed the Multi Zone Duct for both residential and commercial spaces. It works best where several rooms or areas sit close together and there is space to hide the unit and run short ducts to each one.
Family homes
Four or five rooms on one floor, such as bedrooms and a landing, or a kitchen, living room and study, each with its own temperature from one hidden unit.
New builds and extensions
With ceilings still open, the unit, outlet ducts and grilles can be designed in from the start, which is the easiest way to fit any ducted system.
Loft conversions
Several loft rooms served from one unit in the eaves or ceiling space. The indoor unit is 266 mm high, and we check the void and access at the survey.
Small offices
Separate meeting rooms, private offices and an open office area, each set to suit the people using it. Our commercial air conditioning team plans installs around your working hours.
Clinics and studios
Treatment rooms or studios where each room needs its own setting and wall-mounted units would look out of place.
Shops with back-of-house
A shop floor plus a stockroom, office or staff room, with each area controlled separately from one ducted system.
Multi Zone Duct Specifications
Panasonic UK lists the Multi Zone Duct as kits of one indoor unit and one PACi NX Standard outdoor unit. These are the single-phase kits. Three-phase versions of the 10.0 kW, 12.5 kW and 14.0 kW kits are also listed, with model codes ending Z8.
| Kit | Rated capacity | Cooling / heating (nominal) | Indoor unit | Fans / zones | Indoor unit size (H x W x D) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KIT-71PQ41Z5 | 7.1 kW | 7.0 kW / 7.1 kW | S-7110PQ41E | 4 | 266 x 1164 x 701 mm |
| KIT-100PQ41Z5 | 10.0 kW | 9.0 kW / 9.1 kW | S-7110PQ41E | 4 | 266 x 1164 x 701 mm |
| KIT-100PQ51Z5 | 10.0 kW | 9.8 kW / 9.7 kW | S-1014PQ51E | 5 | 266 x 1455 x 701 mm |
| KIT-125PQ51Z5 | 12.5 kW | 12.0 kW / 12.1 kW | S-1014PQ51E | 5 | 266 x 1455 x 701 mm |
| KIT-140PQ51Z5 | 14.0 kW | 13.2 kW / 13.3 kW | S-1014PQ51E | 5 | 266 x 1455 x 701 mm |
Key Details
Common to the range, with figures for the 7.1 kW KIT-71PQ41Z5 where they differ between sizes.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Zones | Four or five, depending on the indoor unit, each with independent temperature control. |
| Refrigerant | R32. |
| Operating range | Cooling from -10°C to 43°C outside. Heating from -15°C to 24°C outside. |
| External static pressure | 30 Pa factory setting, adjustable from 10 Pa up to 120 Pa (S-7110PQ41E) or 130 Pa (S-1014PQ51E). |
| Efficiency (KIT-71PQ41Z5) | SEER 6.6 (A++) cooling, SCOP 4.3 (A+) heating. |
| Pipe length | 3 m to 40 m on the 7.1 kW kit, 5 m to 50 m on the 10.0 kW to 14.0 kW kits. |
| Installation | Horizontal or vertical. |
| Controls | PCZ-EEB749 wall-mounted controller, built-in Wi-Fi and the Aquarea Home app. |
| Outdoor unit | PACi NX Standard. The U-71PZ3E5A is 695 x 875 x 320 mm, and the 10.0 kW to 14.0 kW units are 996 x 980 x 370 mm. |
Figures from Panasonic's UK product pages for the PACi NX Series Standard multi zone duct unit. We confirm the exact kit, zone count and controls for your building at the survey.
How We Install It
With zoning built into the unit, much of the work is in placing the unit well and running a clean, well-sized duct to each zone. This is how we approach a Multi Zone Duct install, and our air conditioning installation page covers our wider process.
Unit position
The indoor unit can go in horizontally in a ceiling void or loft, or vertically where height is easier to find than depth, such as a cupboard or plant space.
One duct per zone
Each outlet on the unit feeds its own zone. We size each duct and grille for the room it serves and plan the return air path back to the unit.
Static pressure set to suit
External static pressure can be adjusted up to 120 Pa or 130 Pa depending on the indoor unit, which we set during commissioning to match the duct runs.
Outdoor unit and pipework
One outdoor unit and one pipe run, within Panasonic's pipe length limits. We choose a position that keeps the run sensible and noise away from bedroom windows.
Condensate and power
Like any ducted unit that cools, it needs a condensate route and its own electrical supply. We plan both at the design stage.
Service access
We leave a proper access panel so filters can be cleaned and the unit serviced without lifting ceilings.
Controls and Apps
The Multi Zone Duct is controlled from one wall controller and one app, with every zone available in both.
PCZ-EEB749 controller
Panasonic's wall-mounted controller for the Multi Zone Duct. Each zone can be controlled independently from it, and it can run several fans together for larger areas.
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is built into the unit, giving a single internet connection for all zones rather than a separate adaptor for each one.
Aquarea Home app
Smart control from your phone through Panasonic's Aquarea Home app. We connect it and walk you through it at handover. Panasonic also lists Modbus integration for system communication.
Multi Zone Duct vs Airzone
Both give you zoned ducted air conditioning with Panasonic equipment. The difference is where the zoning lives: inside the unit, or in an Airzone system added to a Panasonic ducted unit. Our Airzone zoning for Panasonic page covers that route in full.
| PACi NX Multi Zone Duct | Airzone on Panasonic ducted | |
|---|---|---|
| How it zones | Dedicated fans and motors for each outlet, integrated into the unit. | Airzone interface with motorised outlets and plenum doors controlling air to each zone. |
| Number of zones | Four or five from one indoor unit. | Set by the Airzone system designed for your ductwork. |
| Extra parts | No bypass duct and no external zoning controls or accessories. | Airzone interface, zone outlets and room controls added to the system. |
| Room controls | PCZ-EEB749 wall-mounted controller. | Airzone room thermostats in each zone. |
| App | Aquarea Home, through built-in Wi-Fi. | Airzone Cloud. |
| Capacity | 7.1 kW to 14.0 kW. | Depends on the Panasonic ducted unit selected. |
| Best for | Up to five zones where you want zoning built into one unit with fewer extra parts. | Tailored zone layouts, or where you want a thermostat in every room. |
For more background, read our guide to ducted air conditioning in the UK and Airzone.
Things To Consider
The Multi Zone Duct makes zoned ducted simpler, but it still has to suit the building. These are the points we talk through before recommending it.
One mode for all zones
All zones run from one indoor and one outdoor unit, so they share the same mode: all heating or all cooling at a time. Each zone can still have its own temperature.
Four or five zones
The zone count is set by the indoor unit. If you need more zones than that, we look at more than one system or at Airzone zoning instead.
Space for the unit
The indoor unit is 266 mm high and up to 1455 mm wide, before ductwork, insulation and service access. We measure the void at the survey.
Zones close to the unit
Every zone needs its own duct back to the unit, so it works best where the rooms it serves are grouped around where the unit can go.
Best planned early
As with any ducted system, it is easiest before ceilings are boarded. Talk to us at the plans stage of a new build, extension or loft conversion.
Other ducted options
For a single loft room or one open space, a UD3 slim ducted unit may be simpler. For larger commercial areas, the PACi NX adaptive ducted range may suit better.
Your Project Journey
From the first visit to a working zoned system, here is how a Panasonic Multi Zone Duct project runs with us.
Survey
An engineer measures the rooms, checks the void or plant space for the unit, looks at duct routes, power and outdoor unit positions, and talks through how you want to use each zone.
System Design
We choose the kit size and zone count, decide on horizontal or vertical mounting, lay out each zone's duct and grille, and give you a clear written quote.
Install and Commission
F-Gas certified engineers fit the unit, ductwork and pipework, pressure test the system, set the static pressure and commission each zone so airflow and temperatures are right.
Handover and Servicing
We show you the PCZ-EEB749 controller, connect the Aquarea Home app and register your warranty. Our servicing team looks after the system afterwards.
Multi Zone Duct FAQs
What is the Panasonic PACi NX Multi Zone Duct?
How many zones can the Multi Zone Duct control?
Does the Multi Zone Duct need extra zoning parts?
Should I choose the Multi Zone Duct or Airzone?
Can different zones heat and cool at the same time?
How much space does the Multi Zone Duct need?
Contact Information
Our friendly team is available to answer your questions and provide expert advice on all your heating and air conditioning needs.
Phone
01322 474 990
Mon-Fri: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
info@smartplusheating.com
We reply within 24 hours
Office Address
The Bridge Nucleus
Brunel Way
Dartford, DA1 5GA