Johnson Controls heat pumps ‘have achieved 91% cut in energy costs against electric boilers’

Johnson Controls has launched the Sabroe HitemHP line of industrial high-temperature heat pumps, which the company says is designed to help industries requiring high-temperature process heat in Europe to electrify and decarbonise, without compromising performance.

In one specific customer application, the system has delivered up to three times the energy efficiency of electric boilers while reducing energy costs by more than 91%, the company said. In addition the HitemHP units have reduced annual water costs by up to 30%, and on-site CO₂emissions by up to 82% when using waste heat from a refrigeration plant.

The manufacturer said a wave of growth across pharmaceuticals and manufacturing is driving demand for more energy-intensive operating conditions, while at the same time, industrial heating remains a major challenge to cost-effectively decarbonise.

The HitemHP range, engineered and manufactured in Denmark, ‘enables customers to be resilient in the face of energy-related challenges by reducing energy costs and emissions, improving efficiency, and accelerating decarbonisation while ensuring reliable operations and outcomes,’ the firm claimed.

Steve Bell, vice president and general manager, Industrial Refrigeration, Johnson Controls said: “European industries face unprecedented pressure to stay competitive while energy security and affordability have become key concerns. Until now, electrifying high-temperature heat has been one of the hardest problems to solve. With our new Sabroe high-temperature heat pumps, Johnson Controls is delivering a breakthrough solution that can help critical industries and institutions secure their energy future, significantly cut operational costs and align with the ambitions of Europe’s Clean Industrial Deal, driving the competitive advantage of our customers in cutting-edge industries.”

At the heart of the system, which uses the natural refrigerants R600 butane and R600a isobutane, is the proven Sabroe SMC single-stage reciprocating compressor, an aerodynamic innovation engineered for exceptional reliability, even under part-load conditions, the manufacturer noted. This extends service intervals by nearly 50% while also improving energy performance.

Under part-load operation, the system can achieve up to 20% higher COPs (coefficient of performance) than when operating at full capacity, helping reduce electricity consumption and operating costs.

Additional key features include:

• Operational flexibility: Works across a wide range of heat sources, with capacity that can scale from 100% down to 18%, matching its output to the building’s needs to save energy and reduce wear.
• Future-proof refrigerants: Uses ultra-low GWP R600 and R600a hydrocarbon refrigerants, aligning with upcoming EU regulations.
• Standardised, modular design: A configure-to-order approach reduces lead times, costs and installation complexity. Compact, factory‑assembled units enable fast commissioning.

Johnson Controls is exhibiting at elementalLONDON on 25-26 November.