Heat pumps: debunking myths about their climate impact

In France, where electricity is largely decarbonized (by 2025, 95% of French electricity production will be decarbonized), they contribute directly to the reduction of CO₂ emissions. Presenting heat pumps as a climate problem therefore overlooks their major contribution to the energy transition.

Criticisms often focus on refrigerants. Here again, it's important to remember a technical fact. A heat pump is a closed circuit: it doesn't "consume" refrigerant. When equipment is properly installed and maintained, the refrigerant remains contained within the system. Furthermore, heat pump manufacturers have been investing for several years in next-generation technologies using refrigerants with very low environmental impact, such as propane (R290), which significantly reduce the equipment's climate footprint (R290 is considered environmentally friendly because its environmental impact is very low and it has no harmful effect on the ozone layer).

Finally, some critics also mention urban heat islands. Yes, when a heat pump produces cooling, it releases the heat extracted from the building to the outside. This is a physical reality. But attributing the urban heat island effect solely to heat pumps is inaccurate. These effects depend primarily on building design, the amount of paving in urban areas, vegetation, and the location of the outdoor units. Here again, it is important to distinguish local phenomena from the global challenges related to climate change.

The energy transition deserves better than shortcuts. Heat pumps are not the enemy of the climate; they are currently one of the most concrete solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions while meeting growing heating and cooling needs. The real challenge lies in continuing innovation, further improving technologies, developing the most environmentally friendly refrigerants, and guaranteeing high-quality installations. This approach will make it possible to reconcile energy efficiency, the comfort of the French people, and the long-term protection of the environment.

Opinion piece by Eric Pellerin, CEO of Mitsubishi Electric (LinkedIn).