Heat Pumps · Glossary
Refrigerant R290 (Propane)
Propane refrigerant with a Global Warming Potential of just 3 and excellent high-temperature performance, increasingly the default in new ASHP ranges.
R290 (purified propane) is the future-proof refrigerant choice for air source heat pumps. With a GWP of 3 — versus 675 for R32 and 2,088 for R410A — it sits well below all current and proposed F-Gas regulations and avoids the looming PFAS restrictions on synthetic refrigerants.
R290's thermodynamic properties allow flow temperatures up to 75°C with minimal efficiency penalty. That matters in Cornwall's older granite cottages where ripping out radiators is impractical: an R290 unit can deliver 65°C flow on a winter morning while still hitting SCOP 3.5+. Vaillant aroTHERM plus, Viessmann Vitocal 250-A, NIBE S2125 and Panasonic Aquarea L-Series are leading R290 monoblocs we install.
R290 is more flammable than R32, so all units are designed as outdoor monoblocs with refrigerant fully sealed inside the casing. Installation simply requires water pipework into the property, never refrigerant lines. See our heat pump installation page or call 01209 596 002 to discuss whether R290 suits your property.