The Japanese company Panasonic has developed an air heat pump that uses propane (R290) as a refrigerant. It can produce 5 kW to 9 kW of heat and hot water up to 75 C. According to it, the heat pump can be combined with rooftop solar energy to maximize own consumption. The new Aquarea series also includes a heat pump with R32 as refrigerant.
The Propane L Series is “ideal for retrofit applications when retrofitting a home with existing radiators,” Panasonic said in a statement. It stated that the K series is designed for new applications. The heating power of propane heat pumps is 5 kW – 8 kW, dimensions 996 mm x 980 mm x 430 mm and weight 98 kg.
They have a coefficient of performance (COP) of up to 5 according to the company’s specifications. The temperature of the air source can vary from -25 to 35 C in heat and 10 C to 43 C in cooling. Heat pumps can produce hot water up to 75 degrees.
Their seasonal coefficient of performance (SCOP) for heating water to 35 C in “average climates” ranges from 5.06 to 4.84, while SCOP for 35 C applications in “cold climates” ranges from 4.25 to 4.31. In 55 C applications, SCOP is up to 3.67 and 3.33. According to Panasonic, the heat pumps are also “smart grid ready” for solar electricity.
“The new Aquarea K and L generations benefit from a lower sound level, up to 8 dB(A) less than previous models,” the manufacturer said. “This advantage makes the installation more flexible by offering more investment opportunities.”
Both models have the same design, with the outdoor unit in anthracite gray and the indoor unit in white. The Aquarea K and L series became available in the spring.
