Heat pumps are becoming the backbone of low-carbon heating and cooling. The latest models now use CO₂-based refrigerants, which slash energy use by up to 50% and dramatically reduce climate impact.
These heat pump systems use natural CO₂ as a refrigerant. Unlike older systems that rely on synthetic chemicals with a high climate impact, CO₂ has a global warming impact close to zero and does not damage the ozone layer. That makes it a safer and cleaner alternative, without sacrificing performance.
Designed for demanding conditions, these systems can operate in a wide range of temperatures and reliably deliver hot water for large buildings such as hotels or industrial facilities.
These systems are getting safer and smarter. With WiFi-enabled controls, intelligent defrosting, and smart grid integration.
In commercial sectors like hotels and shopping malls, CO₂ heat pumps are replacing conventional boilers, delivering hot water with just 25% of the energy. They’re also enabling heat recovery, further boosting efficiency.
China and Japan are already operating at scale. In Japan, over 90% of households use combined heat pump/AC units. In China, app-controlled air-to-water heat pumps are scaling rapidly. These systems transfer heat instead of generating it, making them up to four times more efficient than electric heaters.
Performance alone is not enough to scale. What determines whether a project is financed is whether its advantages can be clearly distinguished and sustained. In advanced heat pump systems, patents often provide the bridge between a successful pilot and bankable rollout.
