R290 heat pumps are heat pumps that use propane (R290) as the refrigerant, a natural and eco-friendly working fluid.
Key Advantages
- Extreme Environmental Friendliness: ODP = 0, GWP ≈ 3, much lower than traditional refrigerants, meeting carbon neutrality and EU environmental requirements.
- High Efficiency & Energy Saving: Strong volumetric heating/cooling capacity, higher COP under low-temperature conditions, saving 15%–35% energy.
- Excellent Low-Temperature Performance: Stable heating at -20℃ to -30℃, suitable for cold regions.
- Low Charge Requirement: Only about 60% of traditional refrigerants, reducing
- leakage risks and costs.
Compared with traditional refrigerants R410A and R32
| Parameter | R290 (Propane) | R32 (Difluoromethane) | R410A (Mixed Refrigerant) |
|---|---|---|---|
| GWP (Global Warming Potential) | ≈ 3 | ≈ 675 | ≈ 2088 |
| Environmental Performance | Excellent, natural refrigerant | Fair | Poor, being phased out |
| Flammability | Flammable (A3) | Mildly flammable (A2L) | Non-flammable (A1) |
| Heating Efficiency | High, excellent low-temperature performance | Relatively high | Medium |
| Pressure Level | Medium pressure | High pressure | High pressure |
| Refrigerant Charge | About 60% of traditional refrigerants | Medium | High |
| EU F-Gas Compliance | Fully compliant | Restricted | Gradually banned |
| Typical Applications | Low-temperature heat pumps, mainstream in Europe | Residential AC, small heat pumps | Traditional AC, older models |
