The new generation has been developed around IV Produkt’s Multiref concept, allowing the DX cycle to be compatible with both R290 and R454C refrigerants. This gives consultants, contractors and building owners a choice of refrigerant strategy as lower-GWP specification becomes an increasing priority in commercial HVAC.
R290 is a natural A3 refrigerant with a GWP of 0.02, while R454C is an A2L refrigerant with a GWP of 146. The refrigerant options support compliance with scheduled EU F-Gas requirements for relevant self-contained air-conditioning and heat pump equipment, including the GWP 150 threshold for units up to and including 50kW from 2027 and other self-contained units from 2030.
The new generation of ThermoCooler HP was presented at Nordbygg in Stockholm in April 2026 and has been available to order in the UK since 1 July. Nordbygg is the largest construction fair in the Nordic region.
ThermoCooler HP is a heat pump within the AHU to heat or cool supply air as required. This can reduce the need for separate external chillers, boilers or heat pump installations in many applications, helping to cut plant space, simplify installation and support single-supplier responsibility for system performance.
A central feature of ThermoCooler HP is its defrosting-free, heating-priority design. Unlike many traditional integrated systems, which are often based around cooling-led layouts, ThermoCooler HP has been developed around the heating demands of northern European climates, while retaining the ability to provide cooling when required.
The DX system and heat exchangers are positioned on the warm side of the thermal wheel. This means the heat pump is not exposed to cold air entering the AHU, reducing the risk of frost accumulation on the heat exchangers during winter operation. The design allows continuous heating without defrost cycles, helping to avoid capacity reduction, downtime and supply air temperature fluctuations.
The AHU also prioritises the thermal wheel as the first stage of energy recovery. The control algorithm only calls on the heat pump when additional heating is required. In cooling mode, free cooling and night-time cooling can be prioritised before the DX cooling cycle is activated.
The R290 and R454C-compatible ThermoCooler HP range has been tested for more than 45,000 hours, with DX circuit components developed with and supplied by leading manufacturers. Both versions include calibration-free leak detectors, while the R290 version is also equipped with IV Produkt’s patent-pending Evacuation Dilution Function, designed to dilute and evacuate refrigerant in the event of a leak.
The refrigerant options also support a wider range of new-build, refurbishment and replacement projects. The choice of R290 or R454C gives project teams flexibility when balancing long-term compliance, safety strategy, sustainability targets and site requirements. IV Produkt’s Easy Access concept also allows larger AHUs to be delivered in modules that can pass through standard doors before being reassembled, helping to reduce logistical complexity on sites with restricted plant room access.
The products are designed, factory-tested and CE-marked with the application of relevant IEC 60335-2-40 and EN 378 requirements.
The launch is supported by significant investment at IV Produkt’s headquarters in Växjö, Sweden. Over the past three years, the business has invested more than 14 million euros in research and development, product development, risk assessments, CE marking and manufacturing facilities for its new generation of integrated cooling units and heat pumps. This includes a new 5,000 m² production facility.
The original ThermoCooler HP was launched in 2017 and has since become an important part of IV Produkt’s integrated heating and cooling offer. The R454B version won Commercial HVAC Product of the Year – Ventilation at the H&V News Awards 2025.
“These new units are a game changer for our industry” said Manuel Swärd, Export Director West Europe at IV Produkt. “They address the new F-Gas regulation and solve several challenges for property owners, while also improving energy efficiency and reducing installation costs compared with traditional systems. With ThermoCooler HP, we are combining lower-GWP refrigerant choice with an integrated reversible heat pump design that can reduce plant space, simplify installation and lower the environmental footprint of the overall system.”
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