Heat pump technology is widely recognised around the world as being one of the most innovative ways to positively implement the energy transition and achieve the climate goals of a net-zero emissions economy. The role of heat pumps is indeed crucial in reducing global dependence on fossil fuels and facilitating the transition to carbon neutrality. Even though for several reasons, heat pump sales have recently declined compared to the previous year, their high energy efficiency and the urgent need to find sustainable heating solutions mean they continue to gain ground compared to traditional heating systems, such as gas boilers. Moreover, heat pump systems can supply both heating and cooling, and domestic hot water.

Considering then that heating and cooling account for almost half of the European Union’s energy consumption, and over 70% of this still comes from fossil fuels, it is easy to understand the importance of this technology. 

In an attempt to further contain global warming, last April the new F-GAS regulation was approved in Europe. This involves the elimination of refrigerants with a GWP ≥ 150 in most applications, and the complete elimination of HFCs, responsible for the greenhouse effect. Consequently, natural refrigerants, such as propane in the specific case of heat pumps, remain the almost sole safe alternative in the coming years. A gas that is natural, but highly flammable.

In accordance with CAREL’s mission and vision, sustainability and innovation are extremely important aspects in the HVAC business, particularly in the residential sector. Indeed for years now CAREL has been anticipating market demands by offering solutions that guarantee high performance, energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.

A/W and W/W heat pumps 

The proposal for the management of residential heat pumps includes ready-to-use components in compliance with the latest regulations, to facilitate production and unit certification for manufacturers. These include A3 ready components (suitable for use with flammable refrigerants), such as: electronic controllers, inverters for managing hermetic compressors, valve stators and a series of HMI interfaces. Other components in direct contact with the refrigerant, such as the valve body and pressure sensors, are in fact ATEX classified.

Of all the components mentioned above, the three-phase inverter with integrated active filter for the management of variable-speed compressors deserves special mention. Given the increasingly stringent EMC regulations, this inverter ensures easy compliance with emission limits, while at the same time guaranteeing high performance across the entire operating range. 

Coming back to natural refrigerants such as propane, this can reach condensing temperatures higher than those for the gases typically used until now (R-32, R-410A etc.). For safe unit operation, a hermetic version of the electronic expansion valve (E2V-K) has been designed, capable of withstanding temperatures of up to 100°C, while maintaining its renowned properties of precision and reliability. 

The latest standard heat pump software, created using the new STone development tool, allows flexible management of different types of units: outdoor, indoor and all-in-one.

In addition to classic management of the high-efficiency components in the refrigerant circuit, the software also offers smart control of hydronic circuits inside the home, with dedicated activation of circulating pumps in up to three zones, control based on climate curves, and so on.

Refrigerant circuit management for domestic hot water heat pumps (DHWHP)

CAREL’s offering for the residential world continues to grow.
New at Chillventa will be a range of controllers for managing the refrigerants circuits in domestic hot water heat pump waters.
The proposal ranges from the “basic” controller for ON/OFF components only, to the “medium range” including the electronic expansion valve driver, and finally the “high efficiency” system capable of managing inverters and BLDC compressors.
As in this application too the trend is centred around environmental sustainability with the use of propane, all the components in the various solutions are also defined A3 ready.

Connectivity at your fingertips

The Bluetooth feature available on some models of display ensures easy connection to the unit via smartphone, using the CAREL “APPLICA” app. With interfaces and dashboards for specific applications (heat pumps or water heaters), users can manage fast commissioning, update the application software, perform maintenance on the unit with guided troubleshooting, and much more. 

Come and visit us at Chillventa, stand no. 5-304 and 5-306 hall 5 and discover CAREL’s latest solutions for the management of residential heat pumps.