26 www. refrigerationandaircon. co. za RACA Journal I March 2026
HEAT PUMPS feature
The discussion also covered internal heat distribution systems, including air-to-air and water-to-water configurations. Typical operating temperatures were outlined, with air systems generally delivering 35 – 40 ° C in heating mode, while water-based systems vary depending on whether they serve radiators, underfloor heating or fan coil units.
Environmental concerns extended beyond refrigerants to include chemical substances such as PFAS( per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). Ciprés explained that these substances are under increasing scrutiny due to potential health and environmental risks, prompting regulatory proposals in the European Union and elsewhere. Participants were quizzed on which refrigerants may fall under proposed PFAS restrictions, reinforcing the industry’ s growing focus on sustainability and compliance. systems are becoming increasingly dominant, particularly in residential retrofits and new builds.
The webinar also explored the core refrigeration components that underpin heat pump performance, including compressors, condensers, expansion valves and four-way valves. Particular attention was given to the role of electronic controllers and the growing use of DC compressors with permanent magnets to improve efficiency.
One audience question addressed the impact of electronic expansion valves compared to traditional thermostatic valves. Valerin outlined several advantages, including more precise superheat control, faster response times and improved energy efficiency. Laboratory and field studies indicate energy savings ranging from 15 % to 35 %, with some applications achieving up to 40 % improvement.
MARKET TRENDS AND COMPONENTS From a market perspective, air-to-air heat pumps currently account for around 80 % of installed units globally. However, Valerin pointed to a clear shift in Europe, where air-to-water
LOOKING AHEAD The session concluded with a discussion on broader industry trends, including digitalisation, demand response strategies, wider operating temperature ranges, noise reduction and improved recyclability. As regulatory pressure intensifies and technology continues to evolve, heat pumps are set to play an increasingly central role in the future of HVAC.
The future of heat pumps will be shaped by market demand, energy constraints and continued innovation. Modular systems, thermal energy storage, improved ground-coupling methods and districtscale applications are all expected to gain traction. Closer integration between heat pumps, solar PV and energy management systems will further enhance their value in South Africa’ s energy landscape.
As Industry 4.0 gathers momentum, heat pumps are well positioned to play a central role in delivering smarter and efficient HVAC and water-heating solutions for South Africa’ s buildings. RACA
Supplied by Derick Gomez
Installation at Lydenberg High School( a project covered by RACA Journal in 2025).
REFERENCES:
1. ASHRAE( https:// www. ashrae. org / news / esociety / a-heat-pumps-role-in-the-fourthindustrial-revolution) – no need to put the whole reference in.
2. CAREL: https:// www. carel. com / newsdetail /- / asset _ publisher / FWCUXAoY43Lv / content / a-carel-webinar-game-on-heatpumps / 10191? utm
26 www. refrigerationandaircon. co. za RACA Journal I March 2026