FAQ

Q1: Are there already heat pumps with propane or other hydrocarbons on the market?

A1: Yes, there are heat pumps with hydrocarbons available from several manufacturers. Most are designed to be placed outdoors, with water lines connecting the heat pump to the house. But there are also geothermal heat pumps for indoor placement. They can either have a low charge, below 150g of propane, or have a tight enclosure attached by a duct to the outdoor air.

Q2: Which are the most relevant standards when designing systems with flammable refrigerants?

A2: There are several, but probably the most important ones are IEC 60335-2-40, and in Europe EN 378.

Q3: How high heating capacity is it possible to get from a heat pump with less than 150 g of hydrocarbon?

A3: There are commercial liquid to water heat pumps with 150 g propane with a nominal capacity of 5 kW. Prototypes have been designed with capacities up to 12 kW with about 120 g of propane.