CO₂ heat pumps.

All heat pumps and cooling systems (chillers) use a working fluid (refrigerant). Most heat pumps and chillers today use synthetic refrigerants that either contribute to global warming or contain significant amounts of PFAS, which are considered a serious health hazard.

A CO₂ heat pump or chiller, on the other hand, uses carbon dioxide (CO₂) as its working fluid. CO₂ is a natural, climate-neutral refrigerant that neither contributes to global warming nor releases harmful chemicals into the environment.

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In addition to its environmental benefits, CO₂ has unique thermodynamic properties that allow it to achieve higher temperatures with greater energy efficiency. This makes CO₂ heat pumps an ideal solution for applications requiring high-temperature heating with minimal environmental impact.

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R744 (CO₂) is recycled from various industrial processes, meaning it does not contribute to the release of new CO₂ into the atmosphere. As a result, it does not contribute to global warming or the release of harmful chemicals.

While CO₂ is often said to have a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 1, one could argue that its GWP as a refrigerant is effectively 0. This is because CO₂ used as a refrigerant is captured and repurposed, thereby removing it from the atmosphere when the system is filled.

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However, since the gas is likely to be released back into the atmosphere at some point in the future, we have chosen to take a conservative approach and use the industry-standard figure of GWP = 1. This ensures transparency and aligns with established environmental impact metrics.

Different refrigerants have unique advantages and disadvantages, making each suitable for specific heating and cooling applications. CO₂ (R744), Propane (R290), Isobutane (R600A), and Ammonia (R717) are all excellent refrigerants in their respective areas of use.

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The key advantage of a CO₂ heat pump from Tequs is its ability to heat liquids to significantly higher temperatures than other refrigerants can. This improves energy efficiency, as other heat pumps often require assistance from fossil or electric heat sources to reach the desired temperature. Additionally, Tequs CO₂ heat pumps maintain a high COP, even with high return temperatures, due to our proprietary control systems, specially designed components, and unique use of ejector technology.

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By leveraging these advantages on both the cold and hot sides of the heat pump, substantial efficiency gains can be achieved. For example, in a hotel during the summer, the system can deliver chilled water for air conditioning while simultaneously providing free domestic hot water. In such scenarios, a COP (Coefficient of Performance) as high as 8-9 can be reached. This means that for every 1 kW of electricity consumed, 8-9 kW of useful energy is produced — offering a highly efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable solution for both heating and cooling needs.

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Our products are highly flexible in their areas of use, providing both heating and cooling simultaneously. The heat pumps and chillers offer a heating and/or cooling capacity ranging from 30 kW (1x TCHP17) up to 5 MW, making them suitable for a wide range of applications.

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Typical projects where our units are deployed include hotels, office buildings, residential complexes, and swimming pools. They are also ideal for industrial heating and cooling needs in sectors such as data centers, food production, fish farming, dairies, utilities, and more.

Traditional CO₂ heat pumps are demanding to install and require a very high level of competence and experience. Our heat pumps feature a hermetically sealed gas circuit, requiring only water and power connections. This design makes installation significantly more predictable and easier to plan, reducing complexity and minimizing the need for specialized CO₂ expertise on-site.

Traditionally, CO₂ heat pumps have been less efficient at high return temperatures. Our heat pumps overcome this challenge through the use of ejector technology combined with specially designed components and proprietary control software. This unique approach utilizes the high pressure and temperature to maintain efficiency, even at return temperatures up to 50°C — and even higher when paired with our hydronic kits.

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Our advanced control algorithms optimize system performance in real time, ensuring maximum efficiency under varying load conditions. This means that our heat pumps are not only more efficient than traditional heat pumps but are also uniquely suited for high-temperature systems, providing a cost-effective and sustainable solution for both industrial and commercial heating needs.

Our heat pumps are developed with special components and proprietary control and software, enabling them to maintain a high COP even at high return temperatures. We can handle up to 50°C directly back to the heat pump and even higher temperatures by using one of our hydronic kits.