Carrier has unveiled the AquaSnap 61AQ, its first high-temperature air source reversible heat pump for commercial applications that uses R-290, a natural refrigerant ‘with nearly-zero’ Global Warming Potential (GWP).
The AquaSnap 61AQ has been specifically designed and optimised for R-290, and – Carrier says – combines the company’s ‘innovative engineering’ with ‘features that deliver high temperatures, increased energy efficiency, noise reduction, and enhanced operational performance’. It can deliver high-temperature heating up to 75 °C at outdoor temperatures as low as -7 °C, and operates efficiently in extreme conditions down to -25°C.
Carrier says the unit’s design ‘makes it perfect for diverse applications such as healthcare and collective dwellings’, and it can ‘integrate seamlessly’ with building systems to meet a wide range of heating needs while minimising environmental impact.
Carrier said: “Tailored to meet the challenges of stricter regulations – including F-Gas, the AquaSnap 61AQ sets a new standard in performance and sustainability in the race to decarbonise heating. The monobloc version spans capacities from 40 to 140 kW, while the modular version allows connection of up to four units – extending the capacity range to 560 kW.”
R-290 complies with evolving environmental standards, ‘while maintaining reliable performance’, and according to the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report, has a GWP of 0.02.
Carrier says the AquaSnap 61AQ exceeds Ecodesign efficiency standards ‘by up to 30%’, and has a compact footprint. It added: “The components, such as noise reduction and advanced inverter compressor technology, offer efficient performance based on demand, and reduced noise levels at 78 dB(A), 10 dB(A) lower than Ecodesign recommendations.”
“The AquaSnap 61AQ is more than a product, it’s a milestone for Carrier,” said Didier Genois, Vice-President and General manager, Carrier Commercial HVAC, EMEA. “By introducing R-290 to high-temperature commercial heating, we are addressing critical decarbonisation challenges head-on. This heat pump exemplifies Carrier’s vision for a sustainable future, combining superior performance with unmatched environmental responsibility.”
The AquaSnap 61AQ offers digital connectivity to Carrier’s digital platform, Abound HVAC Performance, for real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance.
