Propane R290 heat pumps

Green air-to-water heat pumps for residential, commercial, and industrial use.

Previous slide
Next slide

Propane air-to-water solutions for residential use ranging from 5kW to 75kW.

We proudly present the new series of Nordic R290 propane air-to-water heat pumps, featuring environmentally friendly refrigerant and elegant design. The refrigerant is future-proof and free of PFAS chemicals. This series of propane heat pumps, primarily used for residential heating, ranges from 5kW to 22kW (+7°C ambient). The air-to-water heat pumps in this category are fully eligible for subsidies. You can find the price by logging into the shop or clicking the link below.

Environmentally Friendly Air-to-Water NORDIC-R290-700-230

Nordic R290 Propane 2024

The Nordic R290 propane air-to-water heat pump is primarily for residential heating. Available in various sizes. See below for design and size options.

Kapasitet ved opvarmning*Kw7
*omg. 7 grader, water ind/ud 30-35 grader  
Kapasitet ved køling*Kw3
*omg. 35 grader (DB), vand ind/ud 12-7 grader  
Kapasitet brugsvand*Kw5
*omg. 20 grader (DB), vand ind/ud 15-55 grader  

Click on the link below to see LG's range of air-to-water propane heat pumps.

Nordic R290 Propane 2024

The Nordic R290 propane air-to-water heat pump is primarily used for home heating and hot water production. It is available in various sizes. See below for design and size options.

Kapasitet ved opvarmning*Kw7
*omg. 7 grader, water ind/ud 30-35 grader  
Kapasitet ved køling*Kw3
*omg. 35 grader (DB), vand ind/ud 12-7 grader  
Kapasitet brugsvand*Kw5
*omg. 20 grader (DB), vand ind/ud 15-55 grader  

Rules for Green Air-to-Water Heat Pumps with Propane / R290 as a Refrigerant

The same rules apply to air-to-water heat pumps whether they are installed in Denmark, Italy, Germany, or any other country in the European Union. It is crucial to focus on the regulations concerning the construction of heat pumps, machinery, and components. The heat pump must be tested by a third party to ensure compliance with these regulations. This is especially important for air-to-water heat pumps using propane as the refrigerant, also known as R290, which often draws significant attention.

Propane has optimal properties as a refrigerant in a heat pump and a low GWP (Global Warming Potential) of 3. The only issue is its flammability, as it can be explosive if mixed with oxygen in the right proportions. In a typical operating scenario, propane in a heat pump is always in a closed system under pressure, with no access to oxygen. Flammability is the sole reason propane has not been widely adopted until now.

The regulations that must be met for an air-to-water heat pump to be sold in the European market depend on the components of the equipment. There are numerous rules to comply with because the construction covers many technical areas. A heat pump contains the same basic components whether it uses propane or a traditional artificial refrigerant. These components include various metals, a hermetically sealed pressurized system, electronics in various forms, and rotating machine parts that could cause injury if not correctly designed. The explosive and flammable nature of the refrigerant is only a risk in the event of a leak, which could lead to a fire or explosion. Additionally, the heat pump requires electricity to operate.

First and foremost, the heat pump must comply with the law, known as CE marking. Products without CE marking cannot be sold in the EU. This documentation confirms that the standards it was designed to meet are adhered to. The CE marking must confirm that the following standards are met:

  • Directive 97/23/EC, Pressure Equipment Directive
  • Directive 2004/108/EC on electromagnetic compatibility
  • Directive 2006/95/EC, Low Voltage Directive
  • Directive 97/23/EC EN 378-2: 2002

    regulations concerning refrigeration systems and heat pumps, specifying requirements for safety and environmental protection.

The CE marking of the heat pump and the legislation that must be followed in its construction is one aspect of the matter. Another crucial factor is the complete installation, including tanks and water pipes. Where can the machine be placed, and how should the installation be carried out? What requirements and laws must be met? It’s quite simple; there are no special requirements or regulations regarding the heat pump installation relative to the propane refrigerant being flammable. However, common sense should be applied. For example, the service switch can be installed far from the heat pump. A gas separator can be installed on the pipeline/outlet from the machine, along with a check valve in the return line. The gas separator’s function is to prevent propane from circulating in the water circuit in the rare event of a leak in the heat pump’s plate heat exchanger. In such a rare situation, the R290 gas would be vented to the outside.

What is a Green, Environmentally Friendly Air-to-Water Heat Pump?

There are fundamentally four different heat pump designs:

  1. Air-to-Air
  2. Air-to-Water
  3. Water-to-Water
  4. Water-to-Air

These names indicate the medium from which energy is extracted and the medium to which it is transferred. “Air” refers to energy taken from the air and transferred to the air. “Water” refers to energy extracted via pipes circulating water, often buried in the ground, and then transferred through pipes, such as underfloor heating systems. The choice depends on price and efficiency.

Factors Influencing Price and Efficiency

  1. Type of Heat Pump Construction: Air-to-air is the cheapest and most efficient but cannot heat water. Air-to-air is inexpensive to operate and install. For heating water, either air-to-water or water-to-water is needed. Water-to-water, also known as geothermal, is the most expensive and energy-efficient, requiring pipes to be buried in the ground, suitable for new construction as it often involves significant excavation.

  2. Requirements: An air-to-water heat pump is often used to replace existing heating sources like gas or oil. It is most efficient with low flow temperatures. However, radiator systems designed for gas are best suited for high flow temperatures.

Additional Information

An air-to-water heat pump, like the one shown in the picture to the right, extracts energy from the air, which is why it includes a built-in fan visible on the left.

What Does an Eco-Friendly Air-to-Water Heat Pump Consist Of?

An air-to-water heat pump consists of four essential components. See the image to the left.

  • An evaporator
  • A compressor
  • A condenser
  • An expansion valve

These components each play a critical role and are built into a closed piping system. A refrigerant circulates through the system, changing phase depending on its location within the system. The components facilitate these phase changes.

The compressor, powered by electricity, circulates the refrigerant and is depicted at the top center of the illustration on the left. The refrigerant remains in gas form in the compressor.

The condenser follows the compressor and converts the refrigerant from gas to liquid, transferring energy to the water circulating in the opposite direction of the refrigerant. This process occurs gradually within the condenser.

The expansion valve initiates the phase change from liquid to gas and is shown at the bottom of the image to the left.

The evaporator, depicted at the top far left of the illustration, functions oppositely to the condenser, converting the refrigerant back to gas after passing through it.

In addition to these four main components, many others optimize the process, making the air-to-water heat pump highly efficient. The illustration shows an air-to-water heat pump, hence the evaporator is equipped with a fan. If it were a water-to-water or geothermal pump, the evaporator would resemble the condenser.

Kølemiddelet´s indflydelse på varmepumpen.

Der findes mange forskellige kølemiddler. Nogle egner sig godt til varekøling, andre til frost og igen er der kølemiddler til varmepumper. Vi vil koncentrere os om kølemiddlerne til varmepumper. 

Flertallet af tilgængelige kølemiddler er kemisk fremstillet. Dvs. man blander forskellige grundstoffer for at få et medie eller kølemiddel med bedst mulige egenskaber. Problemet med kemisk fremstillede kølemiddler er at de altid er skadelige for drivhuseffekten eller ozonlaget.

Der findes dog tre naturligt forekommendene stoffer som egner sig godt som kølemedie. Propan, kuldioxid og amoniak.

The Impact of Refrigerants on Heat Pumps

PFAS: PFAS is a chemical found in synthetic refrigerants used in air-to-water heat pumps. It acts as a flame retardant, preventing refrigerants from igniting upon exposure to oxygen. However, PFAS is toxic to humans if consumed in large quantities. When refrigerants leak from a heat pump, PFAS can spread into the environment, increasing the risk of human exposure.

Environmental and Health Concerns: The green transition involves phasing out these toxic chemicals and using natural refrigerants. PFAS-containing refrigerants also have high Global Warming Potential (GWP), exacerbating the greenhouse effect. Natural refrigerants are being adopted to mitigate these issues.

What is GWP or Global Warming Potential?

GWP, which stands for Global Warming Potentials, is a value that describes how harmful a refrigerant is to global warming. It is important to note that it is only harmful if it leaks into the atmosphere.

At the bottom of the illustration on the right, there is a diagram listing the values for different refrigerants. For example, one of the most harmful is R404A, which has a GWP of around 4000, compared to CO2, which has a GWP of only 1. CO2 is given the value of 1 as it is the baseline for the scale. Propane, as previously mentioned, has a value of 3.

40kw. Propane air/water Heatpump NOR-R290-5000-400

Green air-to-water heat pump for heating industrial spaces.

We now offer a complete solution for heating and cooling industrial spaces such as warehouses, production facilities, and exhibition halls. This green solution combines a floor-standing convector with a NORDIC propane 50kW air-to-water heat pump.

The system delivers 50kW of heat at 7°C ambient temperature and 40°C delivered water temperature. Water circulates between the indoor and outdoor units, as the refrigerant used is propane. The outdoor unit is a quiet air-to-water heat pump with two refrigerant circuits that heat the same plate heat exchanger. The indoor unit is a convector with front air intake and top air discharge. Equipped with centrifugal fans, the indoor unit is also suitable for installation in conjunction with ventilation ducts.

Subsidy for a green air-to-water heat pump for heating industrial spaces. What is the Business Pool?

Click the link below for further guidance on applying to the Business Pool.

If you want to learn more about how the subsidy is calculated, you can click the link below.

Complete green solution for heating industrial spaces.

Combination Solution with Wall-Mounted Nordic Væg-75

Air-to-water heat pump with wall-mounted convectors. The green solution that replaces your gas or oil boiler. The system shown in the image delivers 50kW of heat with the connection of two convectors.

The Nordic Væg-75 convector represents a new generation of units, combining innovative technical solutions with modern design. The precise and lightweight casings feature a beautiful rhombus shape, ideal in its simplicity. The unit’s character is emphasized by the composition of selected materials and the dynamically shaped air control louvers.

Wall-Mounted Convectors

Heat ventilators with 1, 2, and 3 rows and increased heating surfaces guarantee optimal adaptation of the heating power to the property’s needs. The increased heat transfer surface and ability to operate with low-temperature mediums ensure efficiency.

All heat exchangers are tested to guarantee 100% tightness. Energy savings are achieved through the optimal design of the fan and the use of an efficient EC motor, saving up to 40% energy compared to traditional solutions. The investment pays for itself within just one year.

The Green Solution for Domestic Water Heating

Nordic Refrigeration Solutions offers a complete range of green propane water heaters at the right price. The series, called NORDIC R290 PROPANE, is suitable for both private households. The smallest model, with a capacity of 100 liters, is particularly suitable for summer cottages.

The NORDIC R290 PROPANE series is a future-proof solution with refrigerant free of PFAS and a GWP of only 3. This series of water heaters represents the final step in a long process focused on phasing out all climate and environmentally harmful refrigerants.

 

Nordic Domestic Water Heat Pump

  • Reliable and green solution at a competitive price.
  • Environmentally friendly with R290 refrigerant.
  • Available in 4 sizes ranging from 80 liters to 300 kW.
  • Smart and innovative design.
  • One of the quietest heat pumps on the market.
  • Delivers up to 55°C water.
  • Low GWP of 3.
  • No PFAS.

Send us a message

Please write us a message