Swedish heat pump manufacturer Qvantum has launched a new air-to-water heat pump designed for multi-residential developments and light commercial buildings.

“With a wide operating window, the QA50 is ideal as the primary energy source for low-temperature ambient loop systems. Its compact dimensions and modular design allow multiple units to be combined, creating a scalable solution that can be tailored to project requirements while maximising available plant room space,” the company said in a statement.

The new unit measures 1,195 mm × 980 mm × 1,900 mm and weighs 363 kg. It can reportedly operate at outdoor temperatures ranging from -25 C to 43 C.

According to the manufacturer’s technical datasheet, the QA50 delivers a maximum heating capacity of up to 50 kW and a coefficient of performance (COP) of up to 3.12. Its seasonal coefficient of performance (SCOP) reaches 4.52 at 35 C and 3.26 at 55 C, corresponding to A+++ and A++ energy efficiency ratings, respectively. The unit has a rated heating output of 25.56 kW at 35 C and 25.53 kW at 55 C. It offers a maximum heating-water flow temperature of 70 C, a cooling capacity of 51.93 kW at A35/W25 and a heating capacity of 30.3 kW at A-10/W55.

The heat pump features two refrigerant circuits containing 1.5 kg of propane (R290) each, for a total refrigerant charge of 3 kg. It has a maximum electrical input of 24 kW, a maximum operating current of 30 A and a three-phase electrical supply of 380 V to 415 V. The unit has an IPX4 protection rating and its declared sound power level is 75 dB(A), while its sound pressure level at a distance of 1 m is 70 dB(A).

The heat pump’s modular design allows multiple units to be connected in cascade configurations to meet higher heating and cooling demands. It can be integrated with existing building energy infrastructure and supports communication with building management systems via Modbus.

Qvantum said the QA50 has been developed primarily for use in fifth-generation district heating and cooling networks, also known as ambient heat networks, which typically operate at temperatures between 10 C and 30 C.

In these applications, the QA50 can be combined with the company’s QG water-to-water apartment heat pump to provide space heating, domestic hot water and cooling at the individual apartment level. The low-temperature network configuration is designed to reduce distribution heat losses compared with conventional high-temperature heating networks.

The QA50 can also operate as a standalone heating and cooling solution for offices, leisure facilities and mixed-use buildings.

The system incorporates Qvantum’s QC PRO controller, which enables centralised management of multiple heat pumps and associated heating and cooling components. Other features include remote monitoring and diagnostics through the company’s Q Service platform, over-the-air software updates and compatibility with flexible electricity tariffs.