R290 heat pump: Why is propane used?

If you’re looking for a new heat pump, you’ve probably noticed the designation R290. This is a natural propane-based refrigerant that is being used more and more frequently in modern heat pumps. Why propane, and what does this mean for you as a homeowner?

What is R290?

R290 is the designation for propane, which is used as a refrigerant in heat pumps. Its role is to transfer heat from the outside air to the heating system.

A heat pump therefore does not generate heat in the traditional way. It extracts it from the surrounding air and, with the help of the refrigerant, is able to use it to heat the house or provide hot water.

In this respect, R290 does not deviate in any way from the operating principle of a heat pump. The difference lies in the type of refrigerant used in the system. And it is precisely the properties of R290 that offer several interesting advantages.

Why are we switching to R290?

In the past, refrigerants such as R410A or R32 were commonly used in heat pumps. R290 has one significant advantage over them: its environmental impact is considerably lower.

The term GWP is used in relation to refrigerants. It expresses their potential impact on global warming. The lower the GWP value, the better.

And R290 has a very low GWP value. This is one of the reasons why propane is becoming an important component of more modern heat pumps.

Importantly, however, it is not merely a more environmentally friendly alternative. R290 also has properties that are advantageous for the heating process itself.

R290 performs well even at higher temperatures

One of the advantages of R290 is its performance at higher temperatures. This is particularly important for a heat pump when it needs to heat water to a higher temperature.

For a new-build with underfloor heating, this may not be a major concern. However, in an older house with radiators, a higher heating water temperature can be very important.

This is precisely why R290 also has its place in the modernisation of older heating systems. Not every house needs, or is able to, switch to a completely new heating system.

Of course, the refrigerant alone does not determine whether a particular heat pump will be suitable for your home. What matters is the entire system and its correct design.

Is R290 safe?

When it comes to propane, the question of safety is entirely justified. R290 is, after all, a flammable gas. This fact should not be glossed over, but nor should it be a cause for undue concern.

Heat pumps using R290 are specifically designed for this refrigerant. They operate with a small, precisely defined charge, and their design takes its properties into account.

For homeowners, it is therefore particularly important that the heat pump is correctly selected, professionally installed and commissioned. With this type of equipment, the properties of R290 are already taken into account during the design stage.

R290 is therefore no cause for concern. It is a refrigerant with its own specific properties, and modern heat pumps are adapted for its use.

What does R290 mean for you?

When choosing a heat pump, the R290 designation is a good indicator, but it should not be the sole selection criterion.

It is important that the unit’s capacity matches your home, that it is suitable for your heating system, and that the installation itself is properly designed.

However, R290 offers an interesting combination of properties. It is a natural refrigerant with a very low GWP, whilst also being suitable for heat pumps that need to operate at higher temperatures.

That is why we are seeing it more and more often these days.

EnergySky offers heat pumps using R290

R290 makes sense to us not only from an environmental perspective, but also in terms of its heating performance. When properly designed, a heat pump using this refrigerant can be a suitable solution for both new-builds and for replacing an older heating system.

If you’re considering a heat pump, don’t just look at the name of the refrigerant. The most important thing is to find a solution that suits your home and your heating requirements.