Warmflow discusses UK net zero goals

Warmflow discusses the UK’s net zero goals and how heat pumps can help pave the way there

As the UK and Ireland push toward their net-zero goals, decarbonising home heating continues to be one of the biggest challenges. Domestic heat pumps are now front and centre in the effort to decarbonise homes – and one model is turning heads across the sector: the Warmflow Zeno R290 air-source heat pump.

Combining cutting-edge engineering, installer-friendly design, and ultra-low global warming potential (GWP), the Zeno R290 is designed not just for today’s regulations – but tomorrow’s.

At the heart of the Zeno innovation is its refrigerant. Unlike conventional systems that rely on synthetic gases with high GWP, the Zeno uses R290 (propane) – a natural refrigerant with a GWP of just 3. That’s hundreds of times lower than typical refrigerants, placing the Zeno at the forefront of sustainable heating tech.

This transition goes beyond surface-level sustainability – it’s a genuine step toward meaningful environmental impact. R290 also offers excellent thermodynamic performance, enabling the Zeno to hit flow temperatures up to 75°C.

That’s high enough to run traditional radiators and supply hot water without electric backup – a rarity among modern heat pumps. Noise has long been a pain point for heat pumps, but not here. The Zeno R290 is among the quietest in its class, with sound levels as low as 41 dBA – about as quiet as a modern fridge.

Design-wise, it’s a departure from the usual. The unit comes in a sleek anthracite grey finish, with a compact footprint and minimalist grille. Even the 15kW unit retains a single-fan format – ideal for discreet installations.

The Zeno R290 is available in 9kW, 15kW, and 22kW single-phase variants, ensuring you can get the right unit for your installations, be it a small conventional size new build or a sprawling luxury design.

From the outset, Warmflow designed the Zeno to be easy to install and commission. A large touchscreen display offers intuitive access for both installers and end users, and internal wiring is laid out to simplify connection. Warmflow also have a dedicated wiring centre available, making installations simple. If just one single Zeno is easier to install on site, the effect doubles on multi-plot sites.

Call-backs have been considered too, ensuring that once the homeowners have moved into their brand-new property, call-outs won’t be costing time and trust. There’s full remote diagnostics and commissioning via Warmlink, Warmflow’s cloud-based platform. Every unit includes a 4G SIM card for seamless data connection, allowing installers to monitor performance, adjust settings, and resolve issues – without a site visit.*

For those housebuilders who have no experience in the heat pump market, free training is offered across the UK and Ireland, and Warmflow’s technical support team backs each installation with design assistance, simply send plans to salesgb@warmflow.co.uk. The free training sessions cover various aspects of the Zeno R290 Air Source Heat Pump, including installation, commissioning, and troubleshooting.

Indeed, so dedicated is the heating manufacturer to getting the ball on netzero rolling, that it has introduced its Heat Pump Assist+ programme, designed to support non-MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) accredited installers in entering the growing heat pump market. This initiative is facilitated through an MCS umbrella scheme operated by Warmflow’s accredited partner, Microgeneration Support Services (MSS). With the advent of the Future Homes Standard – which is expected this Autumn – the road to net-zero is now fully underway. For housebuilders who don’t want to be left behind, understanding renewable heating and upskilling your workforce is becoming increasingly crucial.