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IIR publishes a new Technical Brief: Domestic heat pumps using hydrocarbons - Current status and market overview in Europe

At a time when the energy transition is at the top of the global agenda, the IIR is publishing a new Technical Brief on domestic hydrocarbon heat pumps. This strategic document highlights their key role in decarbonising heating systems in Europe, while analysing the market trends, technological advances and regulatory developments that are shaping this essential transition to a sustainable future.

Paris, France – 21 November 2024 – As global attention intensifies on sustainable energy solutions, particularly in the heating sector, the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) has just released a comprehensive technical brief, “Domestic heat pumps using hydrocarbons: Current status and market overview in Europe”. The technical brief highlights the transformative role of hydrocarbons (HCs) in domestic heat pumps (DHPs), which are crucial for decarbonizing heating systems—a sector that accounts for at least 25% of global energy use, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). It provides a detailed analysis of the current status, market trends, and technological advancements shaping the future of DHPs with hydrocarbons in Europe.

 

Governments and industries are pushing for a shift away from fossil fuels and synthetic refrigerants in heating systems, considering their environmental and health impacts. Hydrocarbons, with their excellent thermophysical properties, low toxicity, and zero ozone depletion potential, are emerging as a long-term, eco-friendly solution.

 

The technical brief, authored by IIR experts from leading European research institutes, outlines several key insights:

  1. Market growth: By 2030, Europe aims to install 30 million hydronic DHPs, significantly reducing reliance on fossil fuels and cutting CO2 emissions by up to 46% in residential buildings.
  2. Advantages of hydrocarbons: HCs, particularly propane (R290), exhibit high energy efficiency, excellent heat transfer properties, and compatibility with existing technologies, making them ideal for widespread adoption.
  3. Safety advancements: Recent updates to safety standards, such as IEC 60335-2-40, allow for higher HC refrigerant charges, enabling their use in larger capacity systems while ensuring safety.
  4. Policy drivers: The EU’s 2024 F-Gas Regulation, prohibiting high Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants in new systems below 12 kW by 2035, accelerates the transition to HC-based heat pumps.

 

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.

 

The findings underscore the readiness of the industry to embrace hydrocarbons, supported by advancements in compressor and heat exchanger technologies, as well as significant investments by manufacturers in HC-based systems.

 

About the Technical Brief:
This Technical Brief was prepared by Emilio Navarro-Peris (vice-president of IIR Commission E2 “Heat pumps, energy recovery”, Spain), Daniel Colbourne (United Kingdom), 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).

 

This document is freely available for download to IIR members. A Summary for policymakers outlining the main conclusions and recommendations is also available in open access.

 

Download from FRIDOC

 

Contact Information: info@iifiir.org