· Therilly
Qvantum vs Mitsubishi — which is better for smart control?
An honest comparison of Qvantum and Mitsubishi Ecodan from one angle: which pump is easiest to smart-control with AI? We cover the API, zones, responsiveness and total cost of ownership.
Both pumps are good. This guide isn't about which has the best COP or the lowest noise level — there are hundreds of other pages on that. Here we compare them strictly on one thing: how well they work with smart control like Therilly. That's a different comparison no electrician or salesperson does for you.
Quick answer for the impatient
Both
work for smart control — but Qvantum is slightly smoother
- Qvantum is slightly easier to fine-tune and has a faster API
- Mitsubishi is better if you have two separate heating systems (floor + radiators)
- Both work great with Therilly and similar services
- The difference in savings is typically < 3 % between the pumps — other factors (contract, insulation, price area) weigh more
Overview — side by side
| Factor | Qvantum | Mitsubishi (Ecodan) |
|---|---|---|
| Official cloud API | ✅ Direct | ✅ Via MELCloud |
| Real-time control | ✅ Second | ✳️ ~30 sec latency |
| Hot-water control | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Multi-zone support | ✳️ 1 zone | ✅ 2 zones |
| Energy data in API | ✅ Good | ✳️ Limited |
| Inverter fine-tuning | ✅ 0.1°C steps | ✳️ Stepped |
| Third-party needed? | No | No (MELCloud) |
| Swedish support | ✅ Direct | ✳️ Via importer |
| Swedish install base | Growing | Largest (#1) |
Bottom line: Qvantum is slightly easier to fine-tune. Mitsubishi is slightly better if you have two separate heating systems (underfloor + radiators). Both work great with Therilly.
Qvantum — streamlined for smart control
Qvantum has a direct cloud API we connect to. We read setpoints, flow temperature, return temperature and hot-water temperature every second. We can adjust the flow temperature in 0.1 °C steps — giving very smooth control.
Strengths
- Fast, responsive API. No 30-second latency. The AI can make rapid corrections when the price moves.
- Manufacturer is welcoming to external control without losing the safety functions.
- Fine-grained inverter control — we can ask the pump to "work a bit more" instead of just "on/off". This reduces compressor wear.
- Swedish company (Hyllinge, Skåne) — when something breaks you can actually call support in Swedish and get an answer the same day.
Weaknesses
- Only one zone in the API. If you have both floor and radiators to control separately, approximations apply.
- API is not publicly documented — we have special partner access. You can't build your own integration without contacting them.
- Smaller installed base in Sweden than Mitsubishi — fewer installers to choose from, longer service waits in rural areas.
Mitsubishi (Ecodan via MELCloud)
The Mitsubishi pump is controlled via MELCloud, Mitsubishi's official cloud service. The API is well-known and documented, but has ~30 second latency per command — perfectly acceptable for heat control but not "real-time" in the same way.
Strengths
- Two-zone support — perfect for homes with underfloor + radiators. Often the single most important factor for modern villas with extensions.
- Good forecast integration on the pump's own side. Mitsubishi has developed its pump to work well with external schedulers.
- Largest installed base in Sweden — plenty of electricians and service technicians. Particularly noticeable at cold-snap times when demand is high.
- Long track record — Mitsubishi has sold Ecodan in Sweden since 2008. Reference installations everywhere.
Weaknesses
- Stepped power control, not continuous. Slightly more "on/off" feel. Not a problem for smart control, just an observation.
- Energy data not always real-time via the API. For deeper analysis you need a separate power meter.
- MELCloud account required — you must register your pump there before third-party services can use it.
Three questions that decide
1. Do you have two heating systems (floor + radiators)?
If YES → Mitsubishi. Two zones isn't gimmick, it's a real saving when parts of the house are heated at different temperatures or schedules. Think: a living room with underfloor heating wanting 22 °C round the clock, plus radiators in bedrooms you'll happily drop to 18 °C overnight.
2. Do you want the finest possible control?
If YES → Qvantum. 0.1 °C steps on flow + second-by-second response means the AI can make more subtle adjustments. Within a savings cycle that's 1–3 % extra efficiency.
3. Do you care more about service reliability?
If YES → Mitsubishi. Larger installer base + longer track record = faster service when something breaks. Important if you live outside a major city.
What if you have Home Assistant?
If you already have Home Assistant the two pumps are equivalent: HA abstracts away the difference. Therilly can connect to either directly or via Home Assistant.
With HA the table essentially becomes:
| Factor | Qvantum + HA | Mitsubishi + HA |
|---|---|---|
| Setup time | 15 min | 15 min |
| Latency | ~5 sec | ~5 sec |
| Zones | 1 | 2 |
| Stability | High | High |
HA users should pick based on price/COP/warranty instead of smart-control factors. Both work equally well.
Total cost of ownership comparison
For a typical SE3 villa with 18,000 kWh heating consumption:
| Model | Purchase + install | Year 1 cost (no smart control) | With Therilly | Year 1 saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qvantum Q22 (ground-source) | ~SEK 210,000 | SEK 23,100 | SEK 16,200 | SEK 6,900 |
| Mitsubishi Ecodan 11 kW (air-water) | ~SEK 155,000 | SEK 26,400 | SEK 18,500 | SEK 7,900 |
Conclusion: Air-to-water is cheaper to buy but more expensive to run — meaning smart control gives a slightly larger absolute saving on Mitsubishi (more to shift from expensive hours).
Common questions — Qvantum vs Mitsubishi
Can I switch pump later and keep using Therilly?
Yes. Therilly sits on top of the pump. You sign in with the new pump's account and everything keeps working. The thermal model of the house needs to be re-calibrated (5–10 days) but your settings stay.
Which pump do you recommend?
We don't favour either — both work great. Pick based on house type (ground vs air-to-water), budget and need for two zones. Smart control is an add-on layer that works with both.
Do I still need the manufacturer's app if I have Therilly?
No, but you can keep it in parallel. Therilly doesn't take over — you can pause Therilly any time and use the Qvantum/MELCloud app as usual.
Summary
For 90 % of Swedish villas both pumps are excellent choices. The only "wrong" move is picking a pump without any cloud API — there you need to go via Home Assistant or the Homey bridge to get smart control working. Both Qvantum and Mitsubishi are safe bets.
The real question isn't "Qvantum or Mitsubishi" — it's "whichever I pick, will I add smart control?". The answer is yes: without hourly spot + smart control on a heat pump in SE3/SE4 you're leaving SEK 4,000–8,000/year on the table.
Want to see exactly how Therilly connects to your pump? Qvantum integration · Mitsubishi integration. For deeper reading on how smart control actually works, see our walkthrough of smart control 2026.