Aermec UK has entered the natural refrigerants market with the launch of two new reversible propane (R290) heat pumps for commercial and industrial applications to meet the growing demand for sustainable HVAC technologies.
“The market for propane products is continually growing,” said David Evans, General Sales Manager at Aermec UK. “This is being driven by demand for more eco-friendly refrigerants with ultra-low GWPs but also as a result of changing global legislation.”
The PRM is a modular air-cooled unit that delivers cooling and heating capacities of 95.6kW (27.2TR) and 101.7kW (28.9TR), respectively. Up to nine modules can be combined to meet larger system demands, increase redundancy and allow for future scalability. Each unit integrates four scroll compressors across two circuits.
The PRG is an air-to-water heat pump range with cooling capacities of 49.4–143.4kW (14–40.8TR) and heating capacities of 51–142.8kW (14.5–40.6TR). Available in single- and dual-circuit models, the PRG is designed to maintain high efficiency at both full and partial loads.
Both models can supply water temperatures up to 75°C (167°F) in ambient conditions of −20 to 48°C (−4 to 118°F). Optional heat recovery and integrated water storage tanks can be added to further optimize system efficiency.
“The market for propane products is continually growing. This is being driven by demand for more eco-friendly refrigerants with ultra-low GWPs but also as a result of changing global legislation.”
David Evans, General Sales Manager at Aermec UK
The new units are well suited for commercial offices, schools and universities, with potential use in retrofit projects depending on site requirements, noted Evans.
To ensure safety and regulatory compliance, each circuit contains approximately 3.8kg of propane, in line with EN378-1 standards. All models are equipped with an electronic expansion valve, internal leak detection, double safety valves and protective grids as standard.
The new PRM and PRG units are manufactured in Italy and available across Europe. Aermec UK has not disclosed installation numbers or production volumes to date but noted that neither model has yet been installed in the U.K.
“Propane offers us and designers a challenge with how we apply it to buildings,” said Evans. “It is now part of our role to educate the market.”
