The refrigerant – small in quantity, big in impact

The refrigerant ensures that heat energy reaches the home even in the freezing cold of winter. It operates in a closed loop and is not consumed. However, refrigerant can be released into the atmosphere during manufacturing, filling, repairs, or dismantling—and this is precisely where the problem lies:

• Synthetic refrigerants are extremely harmful to the climate.
• Their release significantly worsens a heat pump’s carbon footprint.

That is why we at LAMBDA consistently rely on R290 (propane). With a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of just 3, it is virtually climate-neutral. By comparison: The common refrigerant R410a has a GWP of 1920—meaning it is 1920 times more harmful to the climate than CO₂. 

Here’s an example to illustrate:
If the entire charge (7 kg) of a small heat pump using R410a escapes, more than 13 tons of CO₂ equivalents are released. With this carbon footprint, a LAMBDA heat pump could be operated for approximately 10 years—without any additional impact on the climate (calculation based on the European electricity mix and a single-family home).

The European Commission has recognized the issue: Starting in 2030, there will effectively be a total ban on climate-damaging refrigerants. LAMBDA Heat Pumps is already years ahead of this development and is already using the climate-friendly alternative R290.

Since 2025, we have been operating a fully automated filling line with an integrated leak test. This means:

• even safer filling
• minimized risk of leakage
• additional safety for the environment and users

This ensures that the refrigerant is not only climate-friendly but also reliably remains in the cycle—Sustainable. Efficient.