Vaillant commits to R290 heat pumps

German OEM Vaillant plans to use propane (R290) as the refrigerant across its heat pump range, launching its first product this November, said Elmar Zippel, the company’s heat pump project manager at ISH – the Bathroom Experience, Building, Energy, Air-Conditioning Technology, and Renewable Energies trade show – held 11-15 March in Frankfurt, Germany.

“We don’t want to follow an intermediate solution,” Zippel said. “Our aim is to step [by step] introduce R290 in all our products.” 

The initial product is the aroTHERM plus monoblock air-to-water heat pump with a modulating compressor that will be available in 3, 5, 7, 10 and 12 kW heating capacity.

It is made to produce hot water up to 75°C for heating and cooling a residential building (around 200 m²). 

Vaillant will provide training to installers and service technicians on installation, service and operation so they get familiar with R290 as a flammable refrigerant,  he told hydrocarbons21.com at ISH.