Linuo Ritter launches 24-32 kW propane heat pumps for commercial, large residential buildings

China-based heating equipment manufacturer Linuo Ritter has launched a new series of air-to-water heat pumps for space heating, cooling and domestic hot water.

The new monobloc range comprises three models with nominal heating capacities of 24 kW, 28 kW and 32 kW. According to the manufacturer, the products are intended for commercial and large residential applications, including hotels, schools, apartment buildings and office buildings.

All three models use propane (R290) as the refrigerant, with a refrigerant charge of 2.70 kg. They use DC inverter dual-rotary compressors and DC fan motors. The units operate with a three-phase 380 V to 415 V, 50 Hz power supply.

The heat pumps measure 1,155 mm x 1,830 mm x 500 mm and weigh 245 kg. Rated power input ranges from 11.6 kW for the 24 kW model to 13 kW for the 32 kW version. Rated current ranges from 19 A to 21 A.

Linuo Ritter said the heat pumps can produce leaving water at temperatures ranging from 20 C to 75 C in heating mode. In cooling operation, the water temperature can be set between 5 C and 25 C, while the company’s product specifications state a domestic hot water range of 30 C to 70 C.

The outdoor operating range is -28 C to 35 C for space heating, -5 C to 48 C for cooling, and -28 C to 43 C for domestic hot water production. The manufacturer claims an A+++/A+++ energy efficiency rating for the series.

The manufacturer did not specify the coefficient of performance (COP) for the new heat pump systems.

The units feature a 10-liter expansion vessel, an inverter-controlled water pump with a maximum head of 17 meters, a 3 bar pressure-relief valve and a water-flow switch. They also incorporate software-based freeze protection, glycol protection and a drain heating element rated at less than 100 W.

Linuo Ritter said the heat pumps support two independently controlled heating zones, allowing systems such as radiators and underfloor heating to operate at different water temperatures. Up to eight units can be connected in cascade via an RS485 interface, which would provide up to 256 kW of nominal capacity when eight 32 kW units are combined.

The heat pumps are equipped with a wired touchscreen controller and built-in WiFi. The controller supports 13 languages and includes weather-curve control, an ECO operating mode, off-peak domestic hot water scheduling, holiday settings and two reduced-noise operating levels.

Remote operation is available through the Smart Life app, which can be used to monitor operating status, adjust temperature settings, set schedules and receive fault notifications. The company said the system also supports over-the-air updates for the controller, main control board and parameter software.

Linuo Ritter is a Sino-German joint venture established in 2001 by China’s Linuo Group and Germany’s Ritter Energie- und Umwelttechnik. It manufactures solar thermal equipment, air-source heat pumps and hybrid energy systems.