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Aerotermia Ibizaa Climai Group project

Draft pending review by Climai Group

R290 heat pumps: the natural refrigerant explained

In short

R290 is technical-grade propane. Under EU Regulation 2024/573 it has a global warming potential of 0.02, compared with 675 for R32. It is flammable, so installation follows specific safety rules.

Author: Climai Group technical teamTechnical review: [DATO PENDIENTE: técnico RITE de Climai Group]Updated:

What is R290?

It is technical-grade propane, purified to work as a refrigerant. It is a hydrocarbon, not a fluorinated gas, which is why it is called a natural refrigerant.

In a heat pump, the refrigerant is the fluid that circulates in the closed circuit and carries heat from the outdoor air to the house's water.

Why is it said to be better for the climate?

Because of its global warming potential (GWP), which measures how much a gas warms the atmosphere if it escapes, compared with CO₂. Regulation (EU) 2024/573 lists these values:

RefrigerantType100-year GWPWhere the regulation lists it
R290 (propane)Natural, hydrocarbon0.02Annex VI
R32 (difluoromethane)Fluorinated gas (HFC)675Annex I

The regulation takes the two values from different IPCC reports: R290 from the sixth and R32 from the fourth. Either way, the difference is several orders of magnitude.

What does the EU regulation say about fluorinated gases?

Regulation (EU) 2024/573 is phasing out new equipment that uses high-GWP fluorinated gases. The dates that matter most for domestic heat pumps (Annex IV):

FromBanned from the market
1 January 2027Self-contained or monobloc heat pumps up to 12 kW with fluorinated gases of GWP ≥ 150
1 January 2027Air-to-water split heat pumps up to 12 kW with fluorinated gases of GWP ≥ 150
1 January 2032Self-contained heat pumps up to 12 kW with any fluorinated gas
1 January 2035Split heat pumps up to 12 kW with any fluorinated gas

Most of these bans allow exceptions where safety requirements demand it. With a GWP of 675, R32 is above the 150 threshold.

What safety rules apply to a flammable refrigerant?

R290 is classed as A3 (low toxicity, high flammability). For packaged units such as an air-to-water monobloc, instruction IF-20 of Spain's refrigeration safety regulation (Royal Decree 552/2019) applies:

  • The unit goes outdoors or in a plant room, never with refrigerant inside living spaces.
  • Safety distances must be kept: 1.5 m to potential ignition sources and 0.5 m to sockets.
  • It can be installed by a RITE-authorised company or a level 1 refrigeration company, as long as the refrigerant circuit is not opened.
  • Maintenance is done by a level 2 refrigeration company or a RITE company that meets those requirements, under a maintenance contract.

Why an R290 monobloc?

AdvantageWhy
No refrigerant inside the houseThe whole refrigerant circuit is in the outdoor unit
Simpler installationOnly water pipes are connected
Factory-sealed circuitNo refrigerant charging on site
Future-proofNot affected by the fluorinated gas bans
High-temperature waterUseful in homes with radiators

Frequently asked questions

Is it dangerous to have propane in a heat pump?

The charge is small and sits in a closed circuit sealed at the factory. In a monobloc unit all the refrigerant is in the outdoor unit and only water enters the house. The regulations set distances and placement conditions to keep it safe.

Who can install an R290 unit?

For a packaged (monobloc) unit where the refrigerant circuit is not opened, a RITE-authorised company or a level 1 refrigeration company, under instruction IF-20 of the Spanish refrigeration safety regulation.

What about maintenance?

It must be done by a level 2 refrigeration company or a RITE company that meets those requirements, and the owner needs a maintenance contract.

Is it as efficient as an R32 unit?

R290 has good thermodynamic properties and can produce high-temperature water, which helps in homes with radiators. Real efficiency depends on each model: compare the SCOP on the datasheet.

Will R32 units be banned?

From 1 January 2027 the EU regulation bans placing on the market many new heat pumps up to 12 kW that use fluorinated gases with a GWP of 150 or more, with safety exceptions. Units already installed can keep running.

Can the outdoor unit go anywhere?

No. There are minimum distances to potential ignition sources and sockets, and the refrigerant cannot sit inside living spaces. We check this during the visit.

Sources

  1. Regulation (EU) 2024/573 on fluorinated greenhouse gases (Annexes I, IV and VI) · EUR-Lex ·
  2. Royal Decree 552/2019, Safety Regulation for Refrigeration Plants and Installations (IF-20) · BOE ·
  3. Royal Decree 1027/2007, Regulation on Thermal Installations in Buildings (RITE) · BOE ·

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