From Trust to Win-Win — A Real Heat Pump Review with SolarEast, the Top Air-to-Water Heat Pump Manufacturer, and Emma’s Heating & Cooling Heat Pump Journey
In this heat pump review, our story begins in early 2024 in the Netherlands — a market where the first boom of residential heating and cooling heat pump adoption had already peaked. Yet when Andy met Emma in a video call, he saw unmistakable determination in this “industry newcomer.”“I’ve never sold heat pumps before,” she confessed, “but I know Dutch homeowners need better comfort solutions.”
That single sentence connected two strangers across continents and sparked a partnership that would redefine trust, resilience, and growth in the evolving clean-energy market.
Netherlands (North Holland)
Although the first surge of the market had slowed, this heat pump review takes us into a region where residential energy retrofits continue to rise, signaling long-term potential for sustainable growth.
Emma leads a young distribution company that transitioned from HVAC accessory sales to heating and cooling heat pump systems in 2024. Her focus shifted toward providing complete comfort solutions for residential homes and small commercial projects — a bold step into a growing segment of the European heating industry.
The Netherlands’ Energy Transition Plan demands high-efficiency (A+++ or above) and low-GWP refrigerant solutions such as R290. Dutch homeowners place high value on silent operation and reliable performance under cold conditions. While established distributors occupy part of the market, small retailers and new housing developments remain underserved — offering opportunities for new players like Emma to emerge.
Although her team lacked prior experience with heat pumps, Emma quickly recognized the accelerating need for heating and cooling heat pump systems across Dutch households. She sought a cost-effective solution combining adaptability and performance — something worthy of being called the best air to water heat pump.
At the same time, SolarEast — an experienced heat pump manufacturer — was actively expanding its presence in the Netherlands. During their first meeting, Andy presented a tailored heat pump system diagram and localization strategy that matched Emma’s market vision perfectly. Their shared commitment to reliability and service transformed that initial conversation into a concrete testing partnership.
While researching suppliers to support her business transition, Emma came across Andy by chance. His prompt response and practical guide on “how a newcomer can get started in the heat pump market” won her trust. After a focused 90-minute meeting, both sides agreed to launch the first sample testing program — the beginning of a collaboration built on precision and mutual growth.
As this heat pump review unfolded, the first real hurdle appeared during the field installation of Emma’s pilot project — a newly built semi-detached house on the outskirts of Amsterdam. Dutch winters average around 2 °C, but on the day of testing, temperatures dropped to –6 °C with heavy frost.
During operation, the first heating and cooling heat pump ran smoothly for the first hour, until the outdoor unit began accumulating a thick layer of frost. The system entered the defrosting cycle but took far longer than expected, causing the indoor temperature to fall and leaving the homeowner anxious.
To make matters more challenging, Emma’s team was preparing for KOMO certification testing the following month. While reviewing documents, they misunderstood parts of the electrical wiring requirements and the IPX4+ ingress protection classification. At one point, an installer even worried aloud:
“If this fails inspection, we may lose the project… and our first customer.”
This uncertainty created pressure for both Emma’s team and SolarEast.
The next challenge came unexpectedly. Due to a seven-hour time difference, issues that surfaced during Emma’s afternoon often reached Andy late at night. One evening, after a routine parameter adjustment, the unit suddenly shut down with an unfamiliar alarm code.
At 2:03 a.m., Andy’s phone lit up with a message:
“Andy, the system won’t restart. We’ve checked wiring three times. The client is waiting outside. Can you help?”
Emma’s team had accidentally disabled a key sensor in the control menu — a common issue for newcomers working with advanced heating and cooling heat pump logic. With limited hands-on experience, her installer team grew nervous, energy consumption spiked, and the homeowner started losing confidence.
For Emma, who was about to enter a competitive market, losing this first client would have been a major setback. Her team even discussed postponing the demo entirely — a moment that nearly derailed the early stage of the project.
As testing continued, Emma discovered a new obstacle — Dutch clients expected more than reliable performance. They wanted a heating and cooling heat pump that matched European aesthetics and local user habits.
Several installers told her directly:
“If the unit looks industrial, we can’t sell it here.”
This led to additional challenges:
Appearance Redesign: Dutch homeowners preferred a minimalist, matte-finish European style. The standard model’s panel, grille, and proportions didn’t fully align with local expectations, making aesthetic customization a must.
Localized Wired Controller: Dutch installers requested a simpler UI layout, clearer icons, and Dutch-language support. Many wanted a controller that felt intuitive enough to explain to customers without training. Andy’s team had to redesign the menu flow and optimize the heating–cooling switching logic.
Custom Heat Pump System Diagram: Installers asked for a clearer, Dutch-market-ready diagram showing system connections, flow directions, and common configurations. Without this, installation times increased and misunderstandings were frequent.
Preset Operating Modes: To fit Dutch insulation levels and floor-heating systems, Emma’s clients needed region-specific presets to reduce error risks and energy consumption.
For Andy’s team, these requests meant initiating a completely new customization mini-project — one specifically shaped around Dutch market expectations.
In this short video, Andy shares his insights into Europe’s heating and cooling heat pump market, explaining the standards, installer concerns, and why high-efficiency air-to-water systems are now preferred by both homeowners and distributors.
Right after receiving Emma’s message, Andy escalated the issue internally — not as a simple support ticket, but as a priority project tied to SolarEast’s Netherlands expansion. Within an hour, he had coordinated a cross-functional task force that included HVAC engineers, R&D specialists, and certification experts.
The team aligned on one commitment:
“Respond within 2 hours. Deliver a solution within 24 hours.”
To make communication smooth despite time-zone differences, Andy temporarily opened a late-night support slot so Emma wouldn’t face delays the next time an emergency occurred.
This level of responsiveness immediately strengthened Emma’s trust and set the tone for the entire partnership.
During a remote diagnostic session, SolarEast engineers connected directly to the system interface and pulled real-time data. The screenshots showed unusually long defrost cycles with sudden drops in compressor frequency — a classic sign of low-ambient frosting.
Within the same call, the engineers rewrote the defrost control algorithm and pushed a tailored firmware update.
Defrost time shortened by 40%
Heating stability restored even at –5 °C
Energy consumption reduced noticeably
To further reinforce performance, SolarEast shipped a cold-climate insulation kit. Andy’s team guided Emma’s installers step-by-step through video calls — from removing the outdoor casing to insulating the piping joints.
By the end of the day, the system was running, giving the homeowner immediate comfort and saving the project from potential failure.
Emma’s second challenge was compliance with the Dutch KOMO standard. Her team lacked experience with certification documents, so Andy’s solution was simple: teach them the standard, not just the product.
SolarEast’s certification specialists:
Broke down each KOMO requirement into simple checklists
Compared them with SolarEast’s existing test reports
Highlighted why the system met the criteria as a best air-to-water heat pump manufacturer
To prevent future confusion, Andy launched a combined training program:
▶ Online Training (Monthly)
Engineers walked through the working principles of a heating and cooling heat pump using visual heat pump system diagrams, making installation logic easy to understand.
▶ On-Site Workshops (During Andy’s Visits)
Andy personally visited the Netherlands and trained Emma’s installers: wiring standards, troubleshooting routines, energy-saving setup, and control logic.
After three sessions, Emma’s team was able to confidently explain the system to their own customers — something they were unable to do just weeks earlier.
Knowing how critical first clients are for a new distributor, Andy set up a personalized “Emma–Andy Support Channel.”
European engineers were arranged in rotating shifts to guarantee replies during Dutch working hours
Urgent technical issues were escalated through immediate three-way calls
Installation photos and parameter logs were shared in real time for faster diagnostics
The result was a support system that felt less like a supplier relationship and more like an extension of Emma’s own team.
After stabilizing the system and gaining her first successful installation, Emma sent Andy a message he still keeps today:
“You’re not just a heat pump manufacturer — you’re our growth mentor.
The heat pump system diagram made everything clear.
Now when I introduce the best air to water heat pump to customers,
I can speak with real confidence.”
This moment marked the turning point — Emma transitioned from a hesitant newcomer to a confident market player.
Once the test units delivered stable performance, Emma made a decisive move — she immediately placed an additional order for 10 units to build regional reference projects. For a newcomer in the Dutch market, this wasn’t just a purchase; it was a statement of confidence. She officially listed SolarEast as her “recommended brand” for heating and cooling heat pump solutions.
A few weeks later, Emma attended a Dutch HVAC industry forum, where she was invited to speak about her early journey. Her presentation, titled “How a Newcomer Can Enter the Heat Pump Market with the Right Product,” became an unexpected highlight.
During her talk, she openly shared:
“SolarEast isn’t just a supplier — they’re teammates helping us win together.
Andy visits us every year to provide onsite training, and their engineers are always available when we need them.”
This moment not only strengthened SolarEast’s credibility in the Netherlands but also established Emma as a rising distributor backed by a global heat pump manufacturer.
To sustain this momentum, Emma and Andy didn’t rely solely on weekly 15-minute check-ins. They introduced structured quarterly in-person review meetings during Andy’s routine visits to the Netherlands. Together, they aligned on:
market forecasts
seasonal demand planning
inventory strategy
upcoming installations
product adaptation needs
This joint planning approach ensured Emma’s company could move as fast as the market — and sometimes even faster.
| Timeline | Stage | Orders | Highlights |
| Month 1 | Sample Testing | 10 units | Verified system feasibility under Dutch conditions |
| Month 3 | First Reorder | 100 units | Built 3 residential demo projects, receiving positive user feedback |
| Year 1 | Stable Cooperation | 800 units | Expanded into 2 new regions; annual heat pump sales up 60 % YoY |
| Year 3 | Deep Partnership | 3,000 + units | Became North Holland’s leading distributor; earned “Green Energy Partner” certification |
Additional Highlights: Together, they co-developed a “Cooling + Heating Energy Saving Package” for Dutch commercial spaces, built around SolarEast’s heating and cooling heat pump. Andy’s tailored heat pump system diagram helped Emma present efficiency advantages to her clients. During each trip, he updated localized cases featuring the best air to water heat pump. After one session, Emma’s team signed a full-container order that same month.
“To accompany Emma from a beginner to an expert — that kind of achievement is irreplaceable,” Andy said.
Within just two years, Emma’s company transformed from a newcomer into a recognized regional specialist. By leveraging SolarEast’s adaptable heating and cooling heat pump solutions, her heat pump revenue share grew from 20% to 55%, positioning her team as the go-to provider for low-ambient stable heating in North Holland.
Their annual revenue more than tripled, and the successful reference projects created a steady pipeline of new customers who valued reliability over marketing hype.
For SolarEast, Emma became more than a customer — she became a pivotal anchor partner for the Netherlands. Through their collaboration:
SolarEast secured a KOMO flagship certification case, strengthening its credibility as a global heat pump manufacturer.
Emma referred three additional Dutch distributors, expanding the local network.
Annual revenue in the Netherlands surpassed €5 million, significantly boosting SolarEast’s brand presence across Western Europe.
What started as a sample test quickly evolved into a strategic foothold in one of Europe’s most demanding heating markets.
The jointly developed low-temperature heating and cooling heat pump solution delivered measurable environmental and social value.
It enabled:
200+ households and
50+ small commercial businesses
to transition from fossil fuel systems to renewable heating.
The shift collectively reduced ~80 tons of CO₂ emissions per year, contributing to the Netherlands’ national sustainability goals and reinforcing SolarEast’s commitment to building a cleaner, more efficient future for European homes.
“Every year, I fly from China to the Netherlands to visit Emma. I’ve watched her company grow from a modest 200-square-meter workspace into a 1,000-square-meter facility buzzing with energy and purpose. Each visit reminds me of the same truth — every long-haul flight has been worth it. Because building a market together is more meaningful than any single order. It is the journey of growing side by side.”
— Andy, in his third-anniversary letter to Emma
At SolarEast, we believe that the strongest partnerships are not defined by transactions, but by mutual empowerment, shared wins, and long-term commitment — just as a heating and cooling heat pump operates through balance, collaboration, and steady output.
This heat pump review represents far more than technical success.
It reflects a shared promise to drive sustainable progress, elevate customer value, and build a cleaner, brighter future for communities across Europe.
“Dear Andy and the SolarEast team,
When we were still a small and unknown company, we knocked on many doors in China, hoping someone would believe in us. We received silence from most suppliers — no replies, no support, not even a chance to explain our plans.
SolarEast was the only company that listened.
You treated us with respect long before we had any market presence. You answered every question, supported every test, and fulfilled every request, no matter how small. That early trust changed everything for us.
Now that our name is finally growing in the Dutch market, many manufacturers are suddenly reaching out — persistent emails, constant sales pitches. But honestly, it only makes me appreciate SolarEast even more. Partnership is not built when the results come; it is built when we are still struggling, still learning, still trying to stand on our feet.
I firmly believe sincerity is the true key to long-term success.
And for that reason, I hope our cooperation with SolarEast will continue to grow stronger, deeper, and more meaningful in the years ahead.
Thank you for believing in us before anyone else did.”
— Emma
If you are looking for a reliable partner, a manufacturer who supports you not only when you are strong but also when you are just getting started, we are here for you. Whether you need technical guidance, customized solutions, or a long-term partnership built on trust, SolarEast is always ready to help.
If you’re interested in working with us or exploring new heat pump opportunities, feel free to reach out anytime — let’s create your success story together.
