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June 21st, 2026
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Written by: Gareth Whitehill
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What the R290 Heat Pump Revolution Means for UK Homeowners
The way heat pumps are built is changing. From January 2027, new split air source heat pumps must ditch older refrigerants in favour of next-generation R290 — a natural, ultra-low-carbon alternative. With major manufacturers unveiling R290 models at InstallerSHOW 2026 at the NEC Birmingham this week, the next generation of UK home heating has officially arrived. Here’s what that means for your home.
What is the R290 refrigerant switch all about?
Every air source heat pump uses a refrigerant — a chemical that absorbs and releases heat as it circulates through the system. Most residential heat pumps installed across the UK over the past few years use R32, which works well but carries a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 675. That figure means it is 675 times more potent than CO2 as a greenhouse gas if it escapes.
From 1 January 2027, new UK and EU regulations take effect. Any new split heat pump or air conditioning unit rated at 12kW or below must use a refrigerant with a GWP below 150. R290 — more commonly known as propane — clears that bar comfortably, with a GWP of just 3.
This is not a distant policy sitting on the horizon. Manufacturers have already been moving to R290 for the past two years, and this week’s InstallerSHOW 2026 makes clear the transition is in full swing.
Which brands are launching R290 heat pumps?
InstallerSHOW 2026 — the UK’s largest trade event for installers, running 23 to 25 June at the NEC Birmingham — has become something of a launch pad for the R290 generation. Viessmann is unveiling a brand-new residential air source heat pump using R290, available from 4kW to 12kW. NIBE is showcasing its new S2060 range, which succeeds the popular F2050 series and also runs on R290. Mitsubishi Electric has updated its Ecodan line, and Hitachi has launched its airH2O R290 range. Grant UK — a name familiar to many UK homeowners — has been selling its Aerona 290 range here for several years already.
In short, the R290 heat pump is not a product you need to wait for. It exists, it is available now, and your MCS-certified installer can fit one today.
Is propane safe to have installed at home?
R290 is propane — the same gas found in camping stoves and BBQs. It is mildly flammable, which can sound alarming. But the refrigerant lives inside a sealed outdoor unit and never enters your home. There is no open flame. Nothing vents into your kitchen or living space.
Installers who work with R290 need specific F-gas qualifications to handle it safely, which is one reason to always choose an MCS-certified installer. There are minor siting considerations — for example, the outdoor unit should not be positioned directly beneath an openable window — but these are clearly defined and well-established in the industry.
If you use a gas hob or own a patio heater, propane is already part of your daily life. The chemistry inside your heat pump’s outdoor unit is the same.
Should you buy an R290 heat pump now, or wait?
This is the question we hear most often at the moment. The short answer: if you are planning a heat pump installation this year, ask your installer which R290 models they can offer. You will get a future-proofed system ahead of the 2027 regulation, and the environmental credentials are better.
That said, if you were leaning towards an R32 model and are comfortable with it, there is no need to hold back. Existing R32 systems are not affected by the January 2027 rule — it applies only to new equipment sold from that date onwards. R32 units will continue to be serviced and run for decades.
What you should not do is delay your installation indefinitely waiting for refrigerant technology to change. The technology is already here. And the financial incentives available right now are hard to ignore.
What about the grants — are they still available?
Yes. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), run by Ofgem, currently provides £7,500 off the cost of installing an air source heat pump. You do not apply yourself — your MCS-certified installer handles the claim on your behalf, and you simply pay the net amount.
The BUS runs until 31 December 2027. If you currently heat your home with oil or LPG, a temporary uplift brings the grant to £9,000, running from 21 July 2026 to 31 March 2027. That makes this summer a particularly strong time to act.
At Grant Store, we are MCS-certified and install air source heat pumps across the North West, including the latest R290 models. If you are thinking about making the switch, our team can talk you through your options with no pressure. Get a free quote at quote.grant-store.com/heatpump or call us on 01942 918844.
