If you have been researching a new system to heat and cool your house or commercial space, while also delivering on your hot and chilled water needs, the chances are that you have come across one of the latest buzzwords in the HVAC industry, R290 Refrigerant. But what is R290 and what are its benefits? In this article, we introduce what this new super-refrigerant is, and why you should care about it if you want to reduce your energy bills and be more sustainable, all the while enjoying market-leading levels of comfort.

What is R290 Refrigerant?

R290 is a natural refrigerant, otherwise called propane.

In recent years, the need to reduce carbon emissions and other greenhouse gasses has driven innovation across almost every industry. Among them, the refrigeration and air conditioning sector has been actively searching for more environmentally friendly alternatives than traditional options such as R134a or R410A

R290 is a refrigerant that has gained a lot of traction. One of the principal reasons for this is that unlike many traditional refrigerants, which have a high global warming potential (GWP) and contribute significantly to ozone depletion (ODP), R290 is a much more environmentally friendly alternative. The chart below shows the difference in GWP levels for the most common refrigerants found in the Australian market.

Global Warming Potential of Common Refrigerants

The list below shows the GWP of common refrigerants:

• R290: GWP = 3
• R32: GWP = 675
• R134a: GWP = 1430
• R410A: GWP = 2088

With a GWP=3 and Ozone Depletion Potential=0, R290 refrigerant is the standout choice if you are looking for a sustainable way to heat, cool and deliver reliable hot water solution for your home or business, R290 is the standout choice. The good news, for you and us, is that Australia is opening up to the benefits of R290 and demand is growing for innovative systems like our Maxa i-290 Inverter Monoblock Heat Pump range that can deliver on all your needs in your home or business. For more information, speak to your installer, plumber or builder, or contact our team.

It’s Not Just Greener. R-290 Inverter Heat Pumps Deliver Energy and Cost Efficiencies.

In addition to being a greener choice, R290 has a range of other important benefits for your home and business when it comes to choosing a heat pump that will future-proof your heating, cooling, hot water and chilled water needs.

Excellent Energy Efficiency

With the growing costs of living continuing to hit homes and businesses across Australia, reducing your energy bill is an effective tactic for easing the pressure of mounting costs each month.

One of the most attractive features of R290 refrigerant and R290 heat pumps is the high levels of energy efficiency that it delivers. This efficiency stems from R290’s thermodynamic properties, which allow it to absorb and transfer heat more effectively. The result is that your R290 heat pump will use less electricity, creating more cost-effective operations when heating, cooling and providing the hot and cold water that you need.

What are the Cost Benefits of R290 Refrigerants?

The New South Wales Consumer Energy Strategy is a plan laid out by the State Government to help with household cost savings and for businesses to reduce their electricity bills and be more sustainable. In its comprehensive research, the strategy identified the changes that you can make which will have the most significant impact on your energy bills.

While solar systems and electric vehicles (EV) have been getting a lot of media coverage for their energy efficiencies, installing an integrated system that delivers on your heating, cooling hot water and chilled water needs topped the list of technologies that would save you money across the year.

A comparison by the NSW Government shows that switching to an R290 system such as the Maxa i-290 Inverter Heat Pumps (available in domestic and commercial models), could save you up to $2,450* per year. Installing solar and battery systems or switching at an EV is also helpful, but came in second and third on the list:

1. $2,450 savings per annum from installing an electric hot water heat pump, plus an efficient air conditioning system and insulation.
2. $1,370 savings per annum from installing a solar system and battery.
3. $1,100 savings per annum from switching to an electric vehicle (EV).

*These savings figures are modelled on a 30-year-old 4-bedroom house in Dubbo. Actual savings will vary depending on your situation.

You can see the NSW Government’s projected savings based on energy-efficient upgrades below. If you would like to read the Consumer Energy Strategy, you can see it here.

The NSW Government are not alone in creating strategies to help reduce the impact of energy costs on homes and businesses while moving towards the net zero target set out by the Federal Government. To help you understand more about your State Government’s plans, we have included the below resources by State:

• Queensland: Energy Queensland Strategic Plan 2032
• Victoria: Cheaper, Cleaner, Renewable: Our Plan for Victoria’s Electricity Future 
• South Australia: South Australia’s Action Plan
• Western Australia: Energy Transformation Strategy 
• Australian Capital Territory: Everyday Climate Choices
• Tasmania: Renewables, Climate and Future Industries Tasmania  

Lower Maintenance Costs

In addition to energy savings, R290 refrigerant can contribute to lower overall operational, or running costs of your heating, cooling and hot and chilled water system. Given its superior efficiency, R290 systems generally require less maintenance. R290 refrigerant is also relatively inexpensive, contributing to the long-term cost benefits that you can experience when switching to an R290 solution.

Performance Benefits

R290 refrigerant helps an inverter heat pump to run at high-efficiency levels. This is measured by a system called Coefficient of Performance (COP) and Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCOP). The COP value of a heat pump refers to the level of useful heat energy produced in comparison to the electrical energy required to operate the system. The SCOP measures the same ratio but takes into account the heat pump’s performance benefits in specific seasonal conditions.

R290 heat pump systems perform well in both COP and SCOP. As an example, the Maxa i-290 Inverter Heat Pump range provides market-leading performance with an A+++ Eurovent rating (at W35°C) and A++ (at W 65°C).

Traditional electric heaters typically convert 1kW of electricity into roughly 1kW of heating output, giving them a COP of 1 (1kW/1kW). In contrast, R290 heat pumps are far more efficient, using 1kW of electricity to produce around 4kW of heating output, resulting in a COP of 4 (4kW/1kW). This represents an impressive 75% energy savings for your home, business or public space. Even more remarkable is the Maxa i-290 Inverter Heat Pump, which boasts a COP of 4.94 for its 16kW model, offering even greater energy efficiency than standard R290 heat pumps, significantly reducing your energy costs.

How do Solar and R290 Heat Pumps Compare for Performance?

We are big fans of solar as a part of the solution to creating a greener economy and society and reaching the Government, Future Made in Australia sustainability plan.

However, when it comes to heat pumps, one important factor that you should weigh up when selecting your heat pump is its performance in different weather conditions:

• Solar systems rely on sunlight, so their performance is limited during cloudy days or at night.
• Heat pumps work even in sub-zero temperatures, so you get the benefit of high-performance levels, day and night and all year round.

Conclusion

When it comes to heating, cooling and providing hot water to your home or business, industry experts and governments agree that R290 is a great choice if you are looking for a solution that delivers performance, energy efficiency and sustainability.

However, like electric vehicles and all technology, not all systems perform at the same level. It is important to do your research to find the solution that meets your requirements. If you would like to learn more about our market-leading, European-made, R290 heat pump range, please get in touch with our team.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is R290 refrigerant safe for the environment?

Yes, R290 is a natural refrigerant that is a much more environmentally friendly alternative than traditional options. Unlike synthetic refrigerants that contribute significantly to ozone depletion, R290 has zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) and an ultra-low Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 3.

2. How much money can I save by switching to an R290 heat pump system?

Switching to an integrated R290 system (hot water, heating and cooling) can save a household up to $2,450 per year. According to the NSW Consumer Energy Strategy, installing an efficient air conditioning and hot water heat pump system offers higher annual savings than switching to an electric vehicle or installing solar panels alone.

3. How much more efficient is a heat pump compared to a standard electric heater?

R290 heat pumps are roughly 75% more efficient than standard electric heaters. While a typical electric heater converts 1kW of electricity into 1kW of heat, an R290 heat pump uses the same 1kW of electricity to produce around 4kW of heating output.

4. Do heat pumps work effectively in cold weather or at night?

Yes, heat pumps provide consistent high-performance levels day and night, even in sub-zero temperatures. Unlike solar systems that can rely on sunlight and are limited during cloudy days or at night, heat pumps can future-proof your heating and cooling needs all year round, regardless of the weather