Overview of hydrocarbon heat pumps in Europe
4th December 2024
FRANCE: A new report highlights the transformative role of hydrocarbons refrigerants in domestic heat pumps, their current status and provides a European market overview.
The new technical brief from the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) is published as global attention intensifies on sustainable energy solutions, particularly in the heating sector.
With governments pushing for a shift away from fossil fuels and HFC-based refrigerants in heating systems, hydrocarbons, with their excellent thermophysical properties, low toxicity, and zero ozone depletion potential, are emerging as a long-term, eco-friendly solution.
Despite these advantages, challenges remain, including addressing flammability risks and scaling up production of HC-optimised components. The technical brief advocates for continued innovation in system designs and risk mitigation measures to overcome these barriers.
This Technical Brief was prepared by Emilio Navarro-Peris (vice-president of IIR Commission E2 Heat pumps, energy recovery, Spain), Daniel Colbourne (UK), Thore Oltersdorf (Germany), and Björn Palm (member of IIR Commission B1 Thermodynamics and transfer processes, Sweden), under the coordination of Alberto Coronas (honorary member of IIR Commission E2 Heat pumps, energy recovery, Spain).
The document – Domestic heat pumps using hydrocarbons : current status and market overview in Europe – is freely available for download to IIR members. A Summary for policymakers outlining the main conclusions and recommendations is also available in open access.
