Panasonic UD3
Slim Ducted
Smart Plus Cooling installs Panasonic's UD3 low static pressure hide-away for single rooms and small spaces across Dartford, Bexleyheath, Gravesend, Kent, Essex and the South East. The indoor unit is just 200 mm high and sits out of sight in a ceiling void or loft.
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What Is The Panasonic UD3?
The UD3 is Panasonic's low static pressure hide-away inverter, a slim ducted split system that runs on R32 refrigerant. The indoor unit sits in a ceiling void, loft or bulkhead and supplies heated or cooled air through short duct runs to grilles in the ceiling or wall, with a return grille drawing air back. Outside there is a matching Panasonic outdoor unit, just like any split system.
Every size in the range uses the same compact indoor unit: 200 mm high, 750 mm wide and 640 mm deep, weighing 19 kg. Panasonic describes it as ideal for small rooms, and it comes in four kits from 2.5 kW to 6.0 kW of cooling. It heats as well as cools, with a heating range down to -15°C outside.
It is one unit serving one space, so it suits a single room or a small open area rather than a whole house. For several rooms with separate temperatures, see the Panasonic Multi Zone Duct or Airzone zoning on Panasonic, and for larger commercial spaces the PACi NX ducted range. Our Panasonic ducted air conditioning page covers the full line-up.
- 200 mm high indoor unit across all four sizes, for shallow voids and lofts.
- Four kits: 2.5, 3.5, 5.0 and 6.0 kW, all single-phase 230 V.
- From 24 dB(A) indoors on the quietest fan speed (2.5 and 3.5 kW).
- Built-in condensate drain pump, so water can be lifted to a nearby drain.
- R32 refrigerant, A+ seasonal ratings in cooling and heating.
- Optional Panasonic Wi-Fi kit, infrared remote and KNX or Modbus interfaces.
Where The UD3 Suits Best
The UD3 is built for one room or one small area with a void close by. These are the spaces where we recommend it most.
Loft conversions
Loft rooms take the heat in summer. The UD3 can sit in the eaves or a section of loft space and serve the room through a short duct to a ceiling or knee-wall grille, leaving the walls clear.
Bedrooms
For a main bedroom or nursery, a ducted unit keeps the equipment out of the room. The 2.5 kW and 3.5 kW kits are listed from 24 dB(A) on the quietest fan speed, measured 1.5 m below the unit.
Single-zone rooms
A home office, garden room with a ceiling void, snug or cinema room where one temperature for the whole space is all you need.
Small flats
An open-plan living area in a flat with a dropped ceiling or bulkhead in the hallway. The unit can sit above the hall and supply the living space, subject to building and lease permissions for the outdoor unit.
Extensions
A new single-storey extension with a fresh ceiling gives an easy route for the unit and ducts, planned before the plasterboard goes up.
Small offices and shops
Panasonic also lists the UD3 for offices, retail and restaurants. For bigger floors and longer duct runs, our PACi NX ducted page is the better starting point.
UD3 Specs By Size
Panasonic's published figures for each UD3 kit. All four share the same indoor unit size and the same operating range, so the choice mostly comes down to the heat load of the room, noise and how far the outdoor unit will be from the indoor unit.
Capacity and efficiency
| KIT-Z25-UD3 | KIT-Z35-UD3 | KIT-Z50-UD3 | KIT-Z60-UD3 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indoor / outdoor units | CS-Z25UD3EAW / CU-Z25UBEA | CS-Z35UD3EAW / CU-Z35UBEA | CS-Z50UD3EAW / CU-Z50UBEA | CS-Z60UD3EAW / CU-Z60UBEA |
| Cooling, nominal (min to max) | 2.50 kW (0.85 to 3.20) | 3.50 kW (0.85 to 4.00) | 5.10 kW (0.90 to 5.70) | 6.00 kW (0.90 to 6.50) |
| Heating, nominal (min to max) | 3.20 kW (0.85 to 4.60) | 4.20 kW (0.85 to 5.10) | 6.10 kW (0.90 to 7.20) | 7.00 kW (0.90 to 8.00) |
| Heating at -7°C | 2.60 kW | 3.00 kW | 4.50 kW | 5.10 kW |
| SEER / SCOP | 5.90 (A+) / 4.20 (A+) | 5.80 (A+) / 4.10 (A+) | 5.90 (A+) / 4.10 (A+) | 5.60 (A+) / 4.10 (A+) |
| Moisture removal | 1.5 L/h | 2.0 L/h | 2.8 L/h | 3.3 L/h |
Indoor unit, airflow and sound
| 2.5 kW | 3.5 kW | 5.0 kW | 6.0 kW | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indoor unit (H x W x D) | 200 x 750 x 640 mm, 19 kg | 200 x 750 x 640 mm, 19 kg | 200 x 750 x 640 mm, 19 kg | 200 x 750 x 640 mm, 19 kg |
| Indoor airflow | 10.5 m³/min | 11.2 m³/min | 15.3 m³/min | 15.7 m³/min |
| External static pressure | 15 to 45 Pa (25 Pa default) | 15 to 45 Pa (25 Pa default) | 15 to 50 Pa (25 Pa default) | 15 to 50 Pa (25 Pa default) |
| Indoor sound, cooling (Q-Lo / Lo / Hi) | 24 / 27 / 33 dB(A) | 24 / 27 / 33 dB(A) | 26 / 29 / 39 dB(A) | 27 / 30 / 41 dB(A) |
| Indoor sound, heating (Q-Lo / Lo / Hi) | 24 / 27 / 35 dB(A) | 24 / 27 / 35 dB(A) | 27 / 30 / 39 dB(A) | 29 / 32 / 41 dB(A) |
| Outdoor sound, cooling / heating (Hi) | 46 / 47 dB(A) | 48 / 48 dB(A) | 48 / 48 dB(A) | 49 / 50 dB(A) |
Outdoor unit, piping and operating range
| 2.5 kW | 3.5 kW | 5.0 kW | 6.0 kW | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoor unit (H x W x D) | 542 x 780 x 289 mm, 33 kg | 619 x 824 x 299 mm, 35 kg | 695 x 875 x 320 mm, 43 kg | 695 x 875 x 320 mm, 43 kg |
| Pipe length | 3 to 20 m | 3 to 20 m | 3 to 30 m | 3 to 30 m |
| Max height difference | 15 m | 15 m | 20 m | 20 m |
| Pipe sizes (liquid / gas) | 1/4" / 3/8" | 1/4" / 3/8" | 1/4" / 1/2" | 1/4" / 1/2" |
| Refrigerant | R32, 0.88 kg | R32, 0.93 kg | R32, 1.13 kg | R32, 1.13 kg |
| Operating range (outdoor) | Cooling -10°C to +43°C, heating -15°C to +24°C | Cooling -10°C to +43°C, heating -15°C to +24°C | Cooling -10°C to +43°C, heating -15°C to +24°C | Cooling -10°C to +43°C, heating -15°C to +24°C |
| Power supply | 230 V single phase | 230 V single phase | 230 V single phase | 230 V single phase |
Figures from Panasonic's UK and European UD3 product pages. Indoor sound is measured 1.5 m below the unit to JIS C 9612. Panasonic notes extra space is needed for the piping port: 100 mm on the indoor unit and 70 mm on the outdoor unit. External static pressure can be raised above 6.0 mmAq by changing a PCB setting from Hi to S-Hi. We confirm the right size for your room with a heat load calculation at the survey.
How The UD3 Is Installed
A slim ducted system is only as good as the space around it. This is how we plan and fit a UD3.
Ceiling void or loft
The indoor unit is mounted in the void above the room, in the loft, eaves or a bulkhead. We allow for the 200 mm unit height, the piping port, duct connections and a service access panel so filters and the drain pump can be reached later.
Supply ducts
Insulated ductwork runs from the unit to one or more supply grilles. Because the UD3 is a low static pressure unit, with up to 45 or 50 Pa depending on size, we keep duct runs short and direct to protect airflow and keep noise down.
Grilles
Supply air usually comes through linear or square grilles in the ceiling, or a wall grille in a loft room. We position them to spread air across the room rather than straight onto a bed or desk.
Return air
The unit needs a return path to draw air back from the room. That is normally a return grille in the ceiling connected to the unit, sized so the system breathes freely and stays quiet.
Condensate
In cooling the unit removes moisture from the air. The UD3 has a built-in drain pump, and we route the condensate pipe to a suitable drain or soil stack with a proper fall from the pump outlet.
Pipework and outdoor unit
Refrigerant pipes and cabling run from the indoor unit to the outdoor unit, within Panasonic's 20 m or 30 m pipe length limit for the size. The outdoor unit goes on a wall bracket or ground stand, away from bedroom windows where possible.
UD3 Controls and Apps
Panasonic lists several control options alongside the UD3. We agree the right one with you at the design stage and set it up before we leave.
Wi-Fi and app control
Panasonic lists the CZ-TACG1 Wi-Fi kit for internet control with the UD3. It connects the unit to Panasonic's Comfort Cloud app so you can switch it on, change temperature and set schedules from your phone.
Infrared remote
The CZ-RL511D infrared remote controller works with hide-away units, using an infrared receiver on a 2 m cable that is mounted where the handset can see it.
Weekly timer and building systems
Panasonic lists a weekly timer with 42 settings per week. For offices and larger buildings the UD3 can connect to KNX or Modbus interfaces with dry contacts for on/off and error signals, and the CZ-CAPRA1 adapter for P-Link integration.
Things To Consider
The UD3 is a neat answer for the right room. Here is what we talk through before recommending it.
One room, one temperature
A UD3 serves one space at one set temperature. If you want several bedrooms controlled separately, the Multi Zone Duct or Airzone zoning is the better route.
Low static pressure
The UD3 is designed for short duct runs. Long or complicated ductwork to distant rooms needs a unit with more fan pressure, such as the PACi NX range.
Void depth and access
The unit is 200 mm high before brackets, ducts, insulation and access are added. We measure the void at the survey and plan an access hatch for servicing.
Sizing matters
Loft rooms with large rooflights, or rooms with lots of glazing, can need more capacity than their floor area suggests. We size from a heat load calculation, not a rule of thumb.
Outdoor unit position
Every UD3 kit has an outdoor unit. In flats and terraces we check where it can go, pipe routes and any permissions needed before quoting.
Plan it before ceilings close
The UD3 is easiest to fit during a loft conversion, extension or refurbishment. Fitting into a finished ceiling is possible but usually means more making good.
Your Project Journey
From the first visit to a working UD3 system, here is how a slim ducted project runs with us.
Survey
An engineer measures the room and the void or loft, checks access, power, drain routes and outdoor unit positions, and talks through how you use the space.
System Design
We size the UD3 kit from a heat load calculation, plan the supply and return grilles, duct runs and condensate route, and give you a clear written quote.
Install and Commission
F-Gas certified engineers fit the indoor and outdoor units, ductwork, grilles and pipework, pressure test the system, then commission it and set the static pressure to suit the ducts.
Handover and Servicing
We show you the controls, connect the app if you have the Wi-Fi kit and register your warranty. Our servicing team keeps the filter, coil and drain pump in good order afterwards.
Panasonic UD3 FAQs
What is the Panasonic UD3?
How much ceiling space does the UD3 need?
Is the Panasonic UD3 quiet enough for a bedroom?
Does the UD3 have a condensate pump?
Can I control the UD3 from my phone?
Can one UD3 cool several rooms?
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