Chinese heat pump manufacturer PHNIX formally launched the airMono, an A+++ rated indoor monoblock unit running on the natural refrigerant R290 (propane), on January 27, 2026. The Guangzhou-based company positions the product to address a persistent barrier to heat pump adoption in Europe's space-constrained urban housing stock, describing it as a 3-in-1 heating, cooling, and domestic hot water solution that eliminates the traditional outdoor unit. The target market: millions of residential retrofits where installation space is limited.
Background
The launch arrives as European building renovation policy accelerates the phase-out of fossil fuel heating. The EU's "Renovation Wave" targets the upgrade of 35 million building units by 2030, while national schemes such as the UK's Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) and Germany's Building Energy Act (GEG) reinforce pressure to replace gas and oil boilers. Despite this policy momentum, many historic homes, townhouses, and mid-row properties face a common obstacle: insufficient space for bulky outdoor heat pump units.
The regulatory backdrop is also accelerating refrigerant change. Under EU Regulation 2024/573, from January 1, 2027, the EU will ban refrigerants with a GWP greater than 150 in new split heat pumps and air conditioners with a capacity of 12 kW or less. R290 propane carries a GWP of just 3, making it compliant well beyond that threshold. Market data confirms the directional shift: Heat Pumps Watch, an independent European data organization, reported that R290 captured a 38% share of new EU residential heat pump certifications in 2024, based on EU certificate data. By comparison, R290 accounted for only 3% in 2021, while R32 held 79% and R410A 11% of new certifications that year.
Product Details and Safety Architecture
The airMono is available in two versions with nominal heating capacities ranging from 3.2 kW to 4.8 kW and heating power inputs of 820 W to 1.1 kW. The coefficient of performance (COP) ranges from 2.5 to 4.1, while the seasonal COP (SCOP) spans 4.5 to 4.7. The smaller model measures 598 × 495 × 725 mm and weighs 73 kg; the larger is 598 × 615 × 1,200 mm at 124 kg, according to PHNIX. Operating sound levels are rated between 58 dB and 61 dB, suited to indoor placement.
A key technical challenge for all-indoor R290 systems is managing the flammability risk associated with propane's A3 safety classification. The airMono incorporates a gas separator and R290 leak detection-features PHNIX identifies as critical for safe indoor installation in a system with a refrigerant charge exceeding 150 g. The leak detection system rapidly identifies escaping refrigerant and actively discharges it. A tri-sided airflow design allows installers to adjust airflow direction to suit the building layout, maximizing flexibility in tight spaces.
PHNIX also integrates NIKIGPT, its proprietary AI service assistant, which enables device control and fault code troubleshooting via natural language interaction. Combined with an IoT platform, the system supports predictive maintenance ahead of failures. The airMono additionally offers built-in Wi-Fi, compatibility with the Hitemp smartphone application, and integration with IoT platforms for remote monitoring and management.
On the financial side, the A+++ rating positions buyers for maximum subsidy eligibility. In the UK, the performance level supports homeowners in securing the BUS grant. In Germany, the unit qualifies for BEG funding, where use of a natural refrigerant can trigger an additional 5% Efficiency Bonus-potentially covering over 50% of total investment.
Outlook
Industry data indicates that propane systems currently cost 10-15% more than equivalent synthetic-refrigerant devices, though analysts note these systems are rapidly becoming standard and price gaps are expected to narrow. PHNIX showcased the airMono at MCE Milan 2026 in March, where the 44th edition of the trade event drew more than 120,000 professionals from 48 countries. Regulatory analysts point to both the EU F-gas Regulation and potential future restrictions on HFO refrigerants-which decompose into PFAS compounds-as dual drivers shifting the market toward R290. The 2027 GWP-150 cap for small heat pumps serves as a firm compliance deadline for contractors and distributors building their product portfolios.
