Heat pumps are based on tried and tested technology, but the refrigerant used in many older models – and even some still being marketed today – have a higher Global Warming Potential (GWP). Refrigerants with a high GWP contain extremely potent greenhouse gases, that can warm the planet.
How does the refrigerant affect the heat pump system performance?
When designing a heat pump system you need to balance the performance of the heating system with the performance of the refrigerant.
There are key areas to consider when choosing the right heat pump for the system:
- Max flow temperature - not all refrigerants can generate sufficient temperature for heating output or domestic hot water
- Global Warming Potential (GWP) - different refrigerants have a different GWP. The lower the GWP, the eco-friendlier it is and therefore better for the environment.
- Coefficient of Performance (COP) - the heat output affects the coefficient of performance of the heat pump.
- Ambient Air Temperature - the heat pump performance will be affected also by the ambient air temperature. The air has heat (energy) in it which is extracted by the heat pump and raising with the help of the refrigerant within. The warmer the air at the start of the cycle, the more energy that can be extracted. If the air temperature drops, then the heat pump has to work harder to extract more energy using more electricity.
What is the use of refrigerants in heat pumps?
Heat pumps are a highly efficient, eco-friendly way of producing heat for commercial buildings. By taking ‘free energy’ from the air via a refrigerant cycle they generate heat without releasing any carbon emissions.
Air source heat pumps gather heat energy from the surrounding air, which - via a heat exchanger - is transferred into the heat pump refrigerant and turned into vapour. This vapour is then passed through a compressor and turned into a high-pressure, high temperature refrigerant, raising the temperature to a point that can deliver heat throughout a building’s heating system.
The refrigerant is the working liquid used within the heat pump and refrigerant types are now broadly split into two categories: Synthetic HFCs (Hydrofluorocarbon) such as R32 refrigerant and natural refrigerants, which include R290 and CO2 refrigerants.
What refrigerants are commonly used in heat pumps?
There a several different types of refrigerants used in commercial heat pumps, both natural and synthetic. Here are the more common ones:
Carbon Dioxide CO2 or R744 refrigerant
Carbon Dioxide CO2 or R744 refrigerant is a natural refrigerant with ultra-low GWP, very eco-friendly and non-flammable. It has an Ozone Depletion Potential of zero and an ultra-low Global Warming Potential of 1. ECOMOD CO2 commercial heat pumps featuring R744 natural refrigerant can achieve high temperatures up to 70°C.
R290 or Propane
R290 or Propane is also a natural refrigerant with ultra-low GWP of 3 which is very eco-friendly and but highly flammable. It has an Ozone Depletion Potential of zero. ECOMOD 290HT commercial heat pumps feature R290 natural refrigerant can achieve maximum flow temperatures up to 75°C.
R32 refrigerant or HFC-32
R32 refrigerant or HFC-32 is a Difluoromethane with an Ozone Depletion Potential of zero and a low GWP of 675. It is eco-friendly and mildly flammable, but its lower cost is currently the most popular synthetic refrigerant choice. Commercial heat pumps featuring R32 refrigerant can achieve temperatures up to 55°C
ECOMOD monobloc air source heat pumps
Our innovative range of ECOMOD commercial heat pumps will ensure our customers have the best and most advanced solutions for heating and hot water, while helping businesses in the UK on their journey to Net Zero. Each model in the range will benefit situations more than others, whilst also combining with alternative products in our offering for hybrid heating systems.
Designed with commercial buildings in mind, they can be easily cascaded to achieve the higher outputs needed for commercial buildings, and are able to achieve high temperatures up to 75°C.
Utilising natural refrigerants – the ECOMOD 290HT and ECOMOD CO2 & CO2Q ranges have low environmental impact and highly efficient COP performance ratings and ultra low global warming potential to provide you with efficient low carbon heating.
ECOMOD 290HT is available in three chassis sizes and five outputs: 15kW, 18kW, 27kW, 40kW and 50kW. Up to seven heat pumps can be cascaded to provide outputs of 350kW, using one controller. Featuring R290 natural refrigerant for ultra-low GWP of 3 they can achieve high temperatures up to 75°C.
ECOMOD CO2 & CO2Q - available in standard and low noise, these commercial heat pumps come in three chassis sizes and three outputs: 65kW, 95kW and 130kW. Featuring R744 natural refrigerant for ultra-low GWP of 1, they can achieve high temperatures up to 70°C.
ECOMOD - the original monobloc air source heat pump uses R32 refrigerant. With seven models in the range, 14kW, 18kW, 26kW, 32kW, 50kW and 70kW, they can be cascaded to provide outputs up to 490kW and can achieve maximum flow temperatures up to 55°C.
These high-performing commercial heat pumps can be used alongside our full portfolio of commercial heating products - cascaded for high output - and meet the growing needs of commercial buildings.
Our ECOMOD commercial heat pumps are an integral part of any low carbon heating solution.
To find out more about our ECOMOD range of commercial heat pumps, visit. Or contact your local business development manager who’ll be able to supply more details.
