R290: Why you should look for
this refrigerant in a Heat Pump
In the past, older models of Heat Pumps used synthetic hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants such as R134a for their non-flammability and thermodynamic properties. However, HFCs proved to be extremely damaging to the environment due to their high Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 1,430.
Global Warming Potential - What it means
GWP is a measure of how much a greenhouse gas contributes to global warming compared to carbon dioxide (CO2) over a specific time period (usually 100 years).
HFCs are very harmful for the environment, which is why from 1st July 2024, the Australian Government has banned the import of small air conditioning equipment using high GWP refrigerants INCLUDING R134a and R410a. R134a was a common refrigerant in the market just a few years ago. However, their negative impact on the environment has led many countries to ban the import of the refrigerant, including Australia.
What refrigerant do ENEFT heat pumps use?
ENEFT is committed to manufacturing energy-efficient products and sustainability is a core value for our business model. With this in mind, ENEFT uses the natural refrigerant R290 in all our Heat Pumps. R290 has an exponentially lower GWP of 3 AND zero Ozone Depletion Potential, which means it will not contribute to ozone layer depletion. In addition, R290 is a highly efficient refrigerant, excellent at absorbing heat energy and transferring it into a heating system. This enables heat pumps to operate at their optimum performance while reducing energy consumption. R290 works efficiently in high and low ambient temperatures, perfect for the local Australian climate.
| Refrigerant | GWP index |
|---|---|
|
R134a |
1430 |
|
R290 |
3
|
Final Thoughts
A handful of Heat Pump brands in Australia are still using refrigerants with high GWP, so make sure you check which refrigerant they are using before you make the purchase!