U.S.-based manufacturer Copeland’s European division has unveiled updated “low-sound” propane (R290) scroll compressors for the European residential heat pump market and plans to release new R290 compressors for commercial heat pumps and chillers.
The new variable speed products were showcased and discussed at the Chillventa 2024 trade show, held in Nuremberg, Germany, October 8–10.
The first generation of Copeland’s low-sound scroll compressors (RG and RT versions, which run with R290 and R454C, respectively) were released in April 2022 for production. The second generation (HG version), which can run up to 120Hz to accommodate lower ambient temperatures, was released in April 2024 for production; model YHV072HG-4X9 -NDK, with 10kW (2.8TR) of capacity, was displayed at Chillventa. The second generation of these compressors is designed for R290 applications only.
Both the RG and HG compressors offer up to 20kW (5.7TR) of capacity and run between 1,100 and 7,200rpm.
“Sound is becoming a more important factor when developing residential heat pumps.”
Andreea Closca, Copeland’s Market Manager, Residential Comfort, Europe
“Sound is becoming a more important factor when developing residential heat pumps,” said Andreea Closca, Copeland’s Market Manager, Residential Comfort, Europe. The sound level of the new compressors, at 55dB(a) at 1m (3.3ft) distance, is 10dB(a) quieter than standard compressors, Copeland said. On a chart at its Chillventa booth, the company showed the sound levels of other common phenomena, such as 80–90dB(a) for a lawn mower and 20–30dB(a) for rustling leaves.
At its Chillventa booth, Copeland set up a sound booth to enable visitors to compare the sound of the new compressors to that of standard compressors and to chirping birds “to understand what low sound means,” said Closca. “The sound of a heat pump compressor may not annoy us, but it may annoy our neighbors.”
Propane as a refrigerant for European residential heat pumps “is the only choice,” Closca noted. “We have to go natural to decarbonize the heating sector.” Residential R290 heat pumps have become very popular in Europe over the past few years, whereas in the U.S. standards need to be raised to 4.9kg for outdoor (indirect) heat pumps.
Copeland further displayed at Chillventa a 40kW (11.4TR), 119cc R290 scroll compressor (model YHV1191G-4X9-GCZ), also variable speed, for commercial heat pumps and chillers; it was released last year. The company plans to release three higher capacity compressors, the largest to be 80kW (22.7TR) and 260cc, and one lower capacity unit, said Jean-Claude Charles, Commercial Market Manager, Copeland Europe.
Commercial R290 heat pumps were featured at Chillventa by many suppliers, such as Euroklimat.
