HEAT PUMPS
Compressor effi ciency and emissions
Jonathan Vlastuin, Global HVAC/R Strategy & Market Expert at Danfoss Commercial Compressors, looks at how heat pumps are driving down carbon footprints.
W Jonathan Vlastuin
"While the study
emphasises the broader environmental benefi ts of heat pumps, it also highlights the role of advanced compressor technology in accelerating heat pump adoption."
ith buildings responsible for 30% of global energy consumption and 26% of global energy-related emissions, the need
for more sustainable heating solutions is critical. Heat pumps, powered by advanced technologies, are a key enabler of this transformation. This article explores the fi ndings of a third-party verifi ed study comparing the emissions and effi ciency of a heat pump using a Danfoss inverter scroll compressor versus a traditional gas boiler, providing insights into how heat pumps can signifi cantly contribute to decarbonising building heating.
The study shows that heat pumps
off er a clear advantage over gas boilers in terms of energy effi ciency and carbon emissions, a fact acknowledged by the International Energy Agency (IEA). A typical air-to-water heat pump powered by a Danfoss inverter scroll compressor can achieve a seasonal effi ciency of 194% in an average European climate—more than twice as effi cient as the latest generation of gas boilers, which have an effi ciency of approximately 95%.
Over its lifetime, a heat pump equipped with a VZN175 inverter scroll compressor can save up to 477 tons of CO₂ compared to a gas boiler. This is achieved because heat pumps require less energy — and can use decarbonised energy — to deliver the same amount of heat, a benefi t that becomes even more pronounced as electricity grids continue to decarbonise. It’s important to acknowledge that initial emissions from a heat pump production and installation are higher than for a gas boiler. This diff erence is due to the higher material requirements and complex manufacturing processes of these systems. For example, the life cycle emissions of a 62kW heat pump amount to 13.5 tons of CO₂, compared to just 1 ton for a gas boiler. This means that a gas boiler starts operating with a lower carbon footprint, and the heat pump does not begin saving emissions immediately.
Off setting initial emissions through operational effi ciency
Despite the higher upfront emissions, the operational effi ciency of heat pumps allows them to “break even” relatively quickly. Depending on the country’s electricity grid and heating demand, the breakeven point ranges between 3 months and 3.7 years. For more than 11 of its 15-year lifespan, the heat pump generates net CO₂ savings compared to a gas boiler. Over its entire operational lifetime, a unit equipped with a Danfoss inverter scroll compressor can save a substantial amount of CO₂, as confi rmed by the study. The environmental impact of these systems also improves as the electricity grid decarbonises, making them a more compelling option in the long run. In regions with cleaner electricity grids, heat pumps already demonstrate signifi cant emission reductions compared to gas boilers. Even in colder climates or areas with higher electricity emissions, these systems still perform favourably due to their ability to deliver the same heating capacity with less energy consumption. The 477 tons of CO2
savings are based on eight European 22 November 2025 •
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