Chapter 3
3.7 Commercial Heat Pumps There is currently no ban on new HFC-based commercial heat pump equipment. As such, survey respondents were asked how this lack of a market prohibition has affected the sector in terms of 1) increasing the uptake of climate-friendly alternative technologies; 2) increasing the development of climate-friendly alternative technologies; and 3) increasing the price competitiveness of climatefriendly alternative technologies. Sixty-seven percent of survey respondents said it slowed the uptake of climate-friendly alternative technologies as well as slowed the development of such technologies (also 67%). Seventy percent believed that it negatively impacted the price competitiveness of alternative technology.
Regarding refrigerant of choice for this sector, natural refrigerants were shown as the preferred choice, with 39% opting for propane and 33% choosing CO 2 . Reasons included the fact that these refrigerants are natural and not harmful to the environment (sustainable; and the fact that it also offers high efficiency/good performance). Figure 3.7.2 What is your preferred refrigerant for use in commercial heat pump applications? 33 responses
3% Other
Respondents were asked if they thought this sector would have fully converted to natural refrigerants by now had a sectoral ban been included for 2020. The majority (64%) were positive that this would have happened by 2020. When asked whether they support a full ban on HFC-based equipment in the commercial heat pump sector by 2024, a 79% majority said they did.
15% HFOs
39% Propane 9% HFCs
Figure 3.7.1 Do you support a full ban on new HFC-based equipment in commercial heat pump sector by 2024? 33 responses 33% CO2 21% No
79% Yes
Market Readiness Per Sector
33
