OCHSNER REFRIGERANT
R134A – TETRAFLUORETHANE
REFRIGERANT AT OCHSNER
R134a (1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane) is a single-component fluorocarbon refrigerant that has been used worldwide in refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump applications since the 1990s. For decades, it has proven to be a non-flammable, non-toxic, and thermodynamically stable safety refrigerant. OCHSNER uses R134a in the compact warm water heat pumps of the EUROPA MINI series – devices that have been reliably working in the field for many years, proven tens of thousands of times.
What Characterizes R134a
R134a has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 1,430. This places it above the GWP values of newer synthetic refrigerants in the OCHSNER portfolio – a point that has gained importance in the context of the F-gas regulation. The ozone depletion potential (ODP) is zero. Thermodynamically, R134a operates at moderate operating pressures and reliably retains its properties even over long operating times and varying temperature ranges. It condenses cleanly at the typical temperatures for warm water preparation above 60 °C. This combination has made it the standard refrigerant for warm water applications for decades: The combination of reliable compressor technology, manageable pressure hydraulics, and material compatibility is particularly advantageous for compact domestic hot water heat pumps with small filling quantities.
Safety Class A1:
What This Means Technically.
R134a is classified as safety class A1 according to DIN EN 378-1 – low toxicity, no flame propagation. Therefore, there are no special fire protection requirements for installation indoors based on the refrigerant classification. This is precisely one of the reasons why R134a has been the preferred refrigerant for warm water heat pumps for decades: Devices with small filling quantities can be installed in utility rooms, storage rooms, or basements without the refrigerant choice causing additional requirements.
Regulatory Status: Protection of Existing Systems and Outlook
With the F-gas Regulation (EU) 2024/573, the marketing of new heat pumps with high GWP will be gradually restricted. R134a falls under the fluorinated greenhouse gases and is affected.
The situation for existing systems is clear:
- Existing EUROPA MINI systems with R134a may continue to operate without restrictions according to the current legal status.
- Maintenance and refilling with R134a remain permissible under current EU law, even beyond 2027.
- There is no obligation to decommission and no mandatory replacement.
For new devices, OCHSNER is already working on the successor solution. Which refrigerant will specifically replace R134a in the EUROPA MINI series in the future depends on the further availability of various low-GWP options. The OCHSNER EUROPA N already shows that compact warm water heat pumps with natural refrigerants are technically mature and available.
The important point for existing customers: The investment in an existing R134a system remains protected. The devices are hermetically sealed, no refrigerant escapes during normal operation, and maintenance and service are possible in the long term.
OCHSNER Heat Pumps
with Refrigerant R134a
R134a is used at OCHSNER in the warm water heat pump series EUROPA MINI – compact split devices for warm water preparation in combination with external storage tanks.
EUROPA MINI
Warm water heat pump as a split device for external storage tanks up to 500 liters, suitable for households of up to 5 people. Warm water temperatures up to 60 °C in pure heat pump operation, COP values depending on the model between 2.71 and 3.16 according to EN 16147 (Load Profile XL). Very compact design and low weight, plug-and-play for easy installation.
OCHSNER with Refrigerant R134a
Efficiency in Real Operation
R134a demonstrates its strength in the specific application field of warm water preparation. The combination of moderate pressure levels, high material compatibility, and mature compressor technology leads to reliable continuous operation with very low maintenance effort in the EUROPA MINI series.
Installation in temperature-controlled indoor spaces – heating cellars, utility rooms, storage rooms – provides stable source temperatures for the heat pump while simultaneously offering benefits such as cooling or dehumidification of the installation space. In combination with the powerful radial fan and optimized air guidance, the EUROPA MINI IWP achieves a SCOPw of 4.34 (VDI 4650-1:2016).
Practically relevant is the simple integration: Plug-and-play installation, combination with existing warm water storage tanks, integration into PV systems via SG-Ready. This makes the EUROPA MINI devices particularly suitable for renovation and retrofitting projects where warm water preparation should be decoupled from the main heating system.
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