R290 refrigerant, which is commercially known as refrigerant grade Propane, is being increasingly used in air source heat pumps because it is a more eco-friendly refrigerant option. If you are a heat pump installer interested in working with R290 heat pumps, there are some important differences you need to be familiar with. In this blog, we will go into detail about the importance of understanding R290 refrigerant including safety considerations and best practices for installation.
R290 is a popular term in today’s heat pump market, with more manufacturers adding R290 heat pumps to their offering. With its environmental benefits and excellent efficiency, R290 refrigerant offers many benefits to heat pumps. In this blog, we are going to share a quick introduction to R290 refrigerant before exploring the safety considerations that installers need to understand when installing R290 heat pumps. We will also take a look at best practices for installing and maintaining R290 air source heat pumps, their key benefits as well as explaining more about Grant UK’s heat pump training and Aerona 290 range.
Understanding R290 (Propane) as a refrigerant
A good place to start understanding why R290 heat pumps are becoming more popular is by explaining what the refrigerant is and the benefits it can deliver.
What is R290?
R290 refrigerant is a natural hydrocarbon and as mentioned above, it is more commonly known as refrigerant grade Propane. A pure hydrocarbon, R290 refrigerant comprises of only carbon and hydrogen, two substances which occur in nature and hence the term ‘natural refrigerant’. While R290 is manufactured industrially, its naturally occurring components mean that this refrigerant has less of an impact on global warming compared to other refrigerants.
Environmental benefits of R290
The infographic above lists some of the differences between R32 refrigerant and R290 refrigerant with one of the main differences being their Global Warming Potential (GWP) values. R290 refrigerant has a GWP of just 3 which is incredibly low compared to other traditional refrigerants and what this means is that R290 gas remains active in the atmosphere for significantly less time compared to other gases. R290 refrigerant also has no ozone depletion potential (ODP). European regulations are setting targets to reduce the use of the more environmentally damaging F-gases (which have higher GWPs) so the adoption and use of natural gases, such as R290, will increase as they comply with existing and planned environmental legislation.
Thermal efficiency and performance of R290
The thermodynamic properties of R290 refrigerant are excellent. What this means is it can change state very efficiently, requiring less energy to reach the temperatures required to change from a liquid to a gas and back again. The efficient properties of R290 refrigerant in turn help the efficient operation of a heat pump, resulting in high performing heat pump units which are able to effectively and efficiently keep a heating system up to the required temperature.
Safety considerations for installing heat pumps with R290
R290 refrigerant is more flammable compared to other refrigerants so it is important that it is handled correctly and only by trained individuals.
Flammability
R290 is categorised as a Class A3 refrigerant which denotes that it has low toxicity and high flammability. All refrigerants have a safety classification and those working with products that use or contain a refrigerant must do so in strict accordance with specific safety requirements. R290 refrigerant is a heavy gas and its density is greater than that of air and this is one of the reasons why an R290 heat pump must not be positioned too close to doors or openings into buildings.
Compliance with safety standards and regulations
Any work that directly involves any type of refrigerant must only be performed by a qualified F-Gas Engineer or an authorised dealer with a refrigerant handling certificate. When installing a new monobloc heat pump, the refrigerant should not be tampered with and as it is hermetically sealed within the heat pump, a heat pump installer does not have to be F-Gas registered themselves. As with any installation of an air source heat pump (whether it uses R32 refrigerant or R290 refrigerant), it must comply with national Building Regulations, local bylaws, Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations, as well as the standards and code of practice outlined in BS 7671, BS EN 12831 and BS 7593.
An imperative part of installing an R290 heat pump is ensuring that the protective zones (provided in the manufacturer’s installation manual) are adhered to. The protective zones provided by Grant UK for their Aerona 290 heat pumps, for example, have been designed in accordance with EN 60079-10-1 which estimates an appropriate refrigerant loss in order to guarantee the safety of the units in the installation area. The protective zone is defined as an area around the heat pump which, in the event of a leakage of the refrigerant gas, a flammable atmosphere could be formed for a short time, within which it is necessary to implement all precautions as stated by the heat pump’s manual.
Within the protective zone, there should be no sources of ignition present. Furthermore, protection zones must not include any potentially dangerous features such as wells, manholes, openings to underground places or premises, river drains, power lines, flammable deposits or electrical installations. The protective zone must also not include any doors, windows or glass panes to prevent the possible return of R290 gas into a building. In addition, the protective zone must not extend towards neighbouring residential properties, parking areas, public access sites, roads or railways.
Proper ventilation and leak prevention
When installing an R290 air source heat pump, installers must ensure that precautions are in place in case of a refrigerant leakage. Complying to the protective zones is one such precaution. In addition, R290 heat pump units themselves will also have in-built safety features which are designed to ensure there is plenty of ventilation within the heat pump casing and that any refrigerant leaks are quickly detected. Grant’s Aerona 290 air source heat pumps incorporate several R290 refrigerant safety features including:
- Refrigerant leak sensor located inside the casing
- Independent ventilation channels to allow for fresh air intake
- Larger casing to safely house R290 refrigerant in both gas and liquid form
- Specially designed compressors which have minimal vibration and anti-leak features
- Safety enhanced components including spark free sealed relays and ceramic fuses.
The safe working practices for R290 refrigerant is a topic covered in the Grant Aerona 290 ASHP Installer Course – view the full course specification here.
Best practices for the installation and maintenance of R290 heat pumps
It goes without saying that to develop your knowledge of R290 heat pumps and how to install and maintain them correctly, installers should undertake heat pump product training. However, we have shared a few of the main installation and servicing considerations that you should note when working with R290 refrigerant heat pumps.
Installation best practices
While there are differences between installing an R290 heat pump compared to installing an R32 heat pump, the core phases of the installation are not dissimilar. Whether you are installing an R290 unit or R32 unit, you must complete thorough pre-installation planning and system design, the heat pump must be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s Installation Instructions, and the post-installation customer handover is crucial. We go into each of these stages of a heat pump installation in more detail in one of other blogs here – Best practices for installing air source heat pumps.
The infographic below highlights some of the differences that installers need to be aware of when installing an Aerona 290 Air Source Heat Pump.
If you are a G1 Heat Pump Installer, two Installation Information Sheets are available to download from the G1 Portal. One sheet is for the Aerona³ R32 range and a separate sheet is available for the Aerona 290 range with each one sharing twelve key differences that installers need to be aware of when installing an R290 heat pump compared to an R32 model. In addition, Grant UK’s Design Team is on hand to help with specification queries for R290 heat pump installations.
Maintenance and service protocols
As with all of Grant air source heat pumps, it is recommended that an Aerona 290 heat pump is serviced annually. The procedures for carrying out a service on an Aerona 290 heat pump are detailed in the Installation Manual and Servicing Instructions but in summary, the service will comprise of:
- Checking core components of the heat pump (such as the pipe insulation condition, pressure relief valve hose, connections etc) and visually inspecting the unit
- Inspecting and cleaning the evaporator and air outlet grill
- Inspect the condensate disposal and electrical supply connections
- Carrying out checks on the wider heating system
Prior to carrying out an annual service or repair work on a Grant Aerona 290 heat pump, heating engineers must follow the safety guidance that is provided in the servicing instructions. These include creating a safe working area 1m around the heat pump, ensuring there are no ignition sources, checking for presence of refrigerant and ensuring the safe working area is suitably ventilated. Other safety procedures must be adhered to and these are detailed in full in the servicing instructions. How to service an Aerona 290 heat pump is also covered in the Grant 1-day Aerona 290 heat pump course.
Key benefits of R290 for installers and homeowners
The use of R290 refrigerant in heat pumps is an exciting development for this low carbon technology. R290’s more environmentally friendly credentials make heat pumps more sustainable and alongside the environmental benefits, there are other advantages of R290 heat pumps which are explored in more detail in our Knowledge Hub.
Energy efficiency and cost savings
As mentioned earlier in this blog, R290 is a very energy efficient refrigerant which in turn supports the efficiency of a heat pump. More efficient heat pumps that are correctly installed, set-up and controlled can help a household reduce its energy bills compared to using a less efficient heating system.
Growing market demand for eco-friendly refrigerants
Alongside the introduction of legislation which will encourage the uptake of natural refrigerants, consumer demand for more sustainable choices is increasing. With a greater awareness of global warming and its impact, more and more households are looking at the changes they can make to be more environmentally friendly and, as a result, the demand for more sustainable heat pump technology is anticipated to grow.
Future trends in heat pump technology
Heat pump technology has evolved significantly in the last few years and with future investment, ongoing research and development will mean that further exciting changes will be made with heat pumps in the years to come. To keep up to date, installers can attend trade shows and other events, including InstallerSHOW, to see the latest innovations in the heat pump and sustainable heating sector.
Keep up to date with Grant UK R290 Training
The Grant UK Training Academy delivers a number of heat pump training courses including product training and courses on heat pump system design. The Academy also provides OFTEC heat pump courses and qualifications as well as other renewables training. Read more about our training facilities and courses here.
Grant UK’s R290 heat pump offering – Aerona 290
The Aerona 290 is Grant UK’s fifth generation of air-to-water heat pumps. Sleek in design, the Aerona 290 uses R290 refrigerant and is an incredibly high performing range of heat pumps. With 7 year guarantees available when installed by a G1 heat pump installer, the range delivers peace of mind to both installers and their customers. View the technical specifications of the Aerona 290 heat pump range here.