AIT brings low-charge R290 heat pump to market
9th July 2025
GERMANY: The Kasendorf-based manufacturer AIT-Group has launched the first refrigerant-reduced R290 heat pumps based on the scientific work of the Fraunhofer Institute’s LC150 project.
As well as operating with a significantly reduced R290 refrigerant charge, the models do not require separate ventilation and are said to achieve efficiency class A+++ even at high flow temperatures of 55°C.
The compact devices are designed for space-saving use in single-family and multi-family houses, enable flow temperatures of up to 75 °C and also offer an integrated cooling function
Delivery of the new models – the Alpha Innotec WZSV 63 and Novelan WSV 6.3 – began at the end of June.
The LC150 project was launched by Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in 2020. The aim was to research and technically develop heat pump concepts using the natural refrigerant R290 and a significantly reduced refrigerant charge.
AIT-Deutschland GmbH, part of the NIBE Group, is now the first industrial partner to successfully translate the fundamentals for very low refrigerant charge quantities gained in the project into a series-ready product. As part of the collaboration, the heat pump manufacturer worked closely with Fraunhofer ISE on several projects to establish the theoretical foundations.
The company subsequently invested specifically in its own research and development activities with support from Fraunhofer ISE.
The result is the new Alpha Innotec WZSV 63 and Novelan WSV 6.3 models. These two indoor brine heat pumps are designed for space-saving use in single-family and multi-family homes. The units are designed to release a maximum of 150g of R290 in the event of a leak. This ensures safe operation inside the unit and eliminates the need for an additional ventilation system. Furthermore, the divisible design with a removable cooling circuit module allows for significantly easier transport and simplified installation.
The optional integrated cooling function and an electric anode, significantly reduce maintenance requirements.
The extended source temperature range of -13°C to +30°C allows connection to a variety of renewable heat sources, including geothermal probes, groundwater, wastewater, ice storage or PVT collectors. With an SCOP of 5.14 at 35°C and 3.96 at 55°C, both devices meet the requirements of efficiency class A+++.
The WZSV 63 complements Alpha Innotec’s existing series in the premium segment, while the WSV 6.3 is positioned as a compact, high-performance solution in the Novelan portfolio.
Both models are HEMS-compatible, can be integrated into PV and storage solutions, and support dynamic electricity tariffs for intelligent energy management.
Clemens Dankwerth, Fraunhofer ISE’s product manager for building heat pumps applauded AIT-Group’s move to expand the use of propane heat pumps. “This makes heat pump installation in existing buildings even easier. We believe our goal of transferring research into practice with an industrial partner has been successfully achieved,” he said.
“Our goal was to incorporate the insights gained in the project into the development of the next generation of highly efficient and environmentally friendly heat pumps. We are therefore very proud that our development department has succeeded in achieving technological progress in this important application area in such a short time and making it available to our customers in the form of our latest brine heat pumps,” said AIT-Group R&D director Edgar Timm.
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