Commercial propane (R290) heat pumps were a major feature of this year’s elementalLondon tradeshow, with at least eight manufacturers presenting units designed to meet rising demand for future-proof HVAC technologies in the face of tightening f-gas regulations and proposed PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) restrictions.
Offering flow temperatures of 60 to 80°C (140 to 176°F), the units offer efficient alternatives to fossil fuel boilers as U.K. end users accelerate their decarbonization efforts, according to the manufacturers that spoke with NaturalRefrigerants.com at the exhibition.
Italian manufacturer Euroklimat also presented its isobutane (R600a)-based commercial heat pump, which can provide hot water temperatures up to 110°C (230°F). Beyond commercial applications, several exhibitors also presented smaller residential R290 heat pump units.
ElementalLondon was held November 19–20 in London and focused on showcasing solutions for reducing energy use and carbon emissions in commercial and large-scale residential buildings.
Dethermina
Relative newcomer Dethermina – founded in 2023 – introduced its A-Therm80 heat pump and A-Combo80 heat pump-chiller at the show. The units reach up to 80°C water temperatures with ambient operation down to −20°C (−4°F), providing a true like-for-like boiler replacement, according to a company representative.
Using a redesigned 40bar (580psi) compressor and inverter drive, the units deliver 30–300kW (8.5–85TR) per module and up to 900kW (256TR) in cascade.
The 4-pipe design of the A-Combo80 heat pump–chiller supports simultaneous heating and cooling. It also enables heat recovery, which is a key efficiency and cost benefit in markets like the U.K. where the higher cost of electricity compared to gas makes the electrification of heat expensive, explained Garry Broadbent, Operations Director at PureThermal, Dethermina’s U.K. distribution partner.
The U.K. was chosen as the launch market due to its strong potential, the Dethermina representative noted, adding that testing is complete, and the units are available now.
Ariston Group
Ariston Group gave an early look at its new ELCO Aerotop Evo P commercial R290 heat pump, scheduled for release in Q2 2026. The range covers heating capacities of 24–105kW (6.8–30TR)and allows up to eight units in cascade, with a compact V-shape design to reduce footprint.
Delivering 60 to 70°C (140 to 158°F) flow temperatures, the system is positioned as a strong option for retrofit applications requiring higher water temperatures while still being suitable for new-build installations.
The U.K. remains three to five years behind continental Europe due to slower regulations but is now seeing stable demand, according to Hans Bahnsen, Senior Sales Manager at Ariston U.K.
“Contractors are specifically requesting natural-refrigerant solutions,” he said.
Ariston also showed two residential R290 units, including a monobloc model and the compact Nuos hot-water heat pump for apartments, launching in early 2026.
“Contractors are specifically requesting natural-refrigerant solutions.”
Hans Bahnsen, Senior Sales Manager at Ariston U.K
Mitsubishi Electric
Mitsubishi Electric revealed its upcoming Ecodan CAHV-Z R290 commercial air-source heat pump, launching globally in summer 2026. The modular 40kW (11.4TR) units can be cascaded up to 280kW (79.6TR) and deliver up to 75°C (167°F) outlet temperatures in ambient conditions down to −15°C (5°F). The heat pump can provide heating and hot water.
The development was driven by rising demand for natural refrigerants ahead of tightening f-gas and PFAS-related regulations, according to Samira Saravi, Product Manager at Mitsubishi Electric Europe.
Mitsubishi Electric also unveiled two new residential R290 heat pumps covering capacities of 6kW (1.7TR) and 7.1kW (2TR).
Rinnai
Rinnai U.K. launched its commercial and industrial R290 range spanning 40–410kW (11.4–116.6TR), with a focus on high-temperature hot water production.
R290 was chosen for its technical capabilities, with the fact that it’s a natural refrigerant being an added bonus, explained Chris Goggin, Operations Director at Rinnai U.K.
Rinnai emphasized the importance of seasonal performance factors (SPF), urging users to evaluate entire system efficiency, including cylinders and other ancillary equipment, rather than focusing solely on the heat pump unit.
Goggin also confirmed the company’s plans to expand into CO2 (R744), with a CO2-based heat pump to come in 2026.
Dimplex
Dimplex showcased its Latitude R290 commercial air-to-water heat pump, available in 20kW (5.7TR) and 40kW versions., Both are new to the U.K. market but have been available in Germany for around a year. The company plans to launch a 30kW (8.5TR) model in 2026, according to Phill Terry, Area Sales Manager at Ability by Dimplex.
The heat pump can provide heating, cooling and hot water, and up to 14 units can be cascaded for larger installations.
Conversations are already underway with major end users, including the heritage and nature conservation charity National Trust and supermarket chain Co-op, Terry told NaturalRefrigerants.com.
Dimplex also presented an R290 domestic hot water heat pump and confirmed that an R290 version of its Zeroth heat pump for ambient-loop systems is in development.
Mikrofill
Mikrofill introduced its RenewAIR R290 commercial hot water heat pump, marking both the company’s first R290 product and its first heat pump offering. Available immediately, the range spans 15–50kW (4.3–14TR) and supports up to seven units in cascade.
The units were developed in direct response to customer demand, particularly from buyers of Mikrofill’s hot-water cylinders who were seeking matching natural refrigerant heat pump technology. The system targets both retrofit and new projects, with Mikrofill noting that R290 is where the market is going.
Panasonic
Panasonic featured its Big Aquarea T-CAP M Series and Big Aquarea M Series Outdoor Unit, both engineered around Panasonic-made compressors and controls. Available in the U.K. for around a year, the systems can reach up to 300kW in cascade. Panasonic’s RAC Solo indoor-only air-conditioning and heat unit was also showcased, with smaller capacities using R290.
Lochinvar
Lochinvar presented its Amicus Altus R290 2-pipe and 4-pipe commercial heat pumps, available in 88kW (25TR) and 112kW (31.8TR) capacities, with the ability to install up to 10 units in cascade. Offering up to 75°C outlet temperatures and operation in ambient temperatures down to –20°C, the system is designed for heating, cooling and hot water.
Launched in 2024, more than 100 units have been installed to date, according to James Cooper, Renewables Manager at Lochinvar, noting that regulations have been a major driver of R290 development.
Lochinvar also plans to introduce an R290 chiller next year and a new 40kW model of its Amicus Altus heat pump. The U.K. and Ireland remain the company’s strongest markets, and Cooper highlighted Scotland as a proactive adopter of heat pumps.
