The basics: extracting heat from air

A heat pump extracts heat from outside air, even when it freezes. Absolute zero is much lower, at –273°C. Above that point, air still contains heat.

The heat pump uses a refrigerant that evaporates at low temperatures. It absorbs heat and is compressed, raising its temperature. A heat exchanger transfers that warmth to your heating system. The refrigerant then cools and the cycle repeats. It is the refrigerator principle in reverse, which also explains the similar humming sound.

Operation at low temperatures

Heat pumps keep working below freezing. As explained, air contains energy above –273°C. Weheat heat pumps perform well down to around –25°C. Dutch winters are far milder, ensuring a comfortable home without gas price or emissions worries. Compressor technology and propane keep performance strong without sacrificing comfort.

Hybrid and all-electric heat pumps

All Weheat heat pumps are all-electric ready. You can start hybrid and upgrade later, or go completely gas-free immediately. The two routes depend on your home, radiators and budget.

Hybrid heat pump: working with your boiler

In a hybrid system, the heat pump works with your existing boiler and provides heating for most of the year. The boiler helps during extreme cold or hot water demand. This suits existing homes not yet ready to go fully gas-free. With Weheat, you can start hybrid and later go all-electric by extending the system, without replacing the heat pump.

Hot water cylinders and buffer tanks in all-electric systems

An all-electric heat pump completely replaces your boiler. No boiler means no gas! A hot water cylinder stores water at temperature for showers and washing-up.

A buffer tank stabilises home heating by storing heated water at temperature, keeping your home comfortable. It also reduces switching on and off, saving energy and extending system life.

Finding the right configuration is easy. Book a free advice appointment with a network installer to discover what works for your home.

Refrigerant: why Weheat chooses propane (R290)

Refrigerant is essential to heat pump operation. Many manufacturers still use synthetic refrigerants such as R410A or R32 with high climate impact. These will be largely banned in the EU from 2025 and 2027 because of their harmful effects.

Weheat chose propane (R290) from the start. This natural refrigerant has extremely low Global Warming Potential and is environmentally friendly, powerful and efficient. It makes Weheat a sustainable investment that will not become outdated or need modification.

What are the advantages of a heat pump?

A heat pump lowers gas use, energy bills and CO₂ emissions. Hybrid systems often save 70% on gas, a major step forward. All-electric systems eliminate gas entirely. Heat pumps deliver even, comfortable warmth. Add solar panels and you can become largely self-sufficient in heat and electricity, turning your home into your own power station. Heat pumps can also cool in warm weather, something a traditional boiler cannot do. Read more: Cooling with a heat pump: how it works.

Why choose a Weheat heat pump?

Weheat offers sustainable technology with vision. Our heat pumps are designed and manufactured entirely at our Duizel factory. We use only propane refrigerant, work with recycled and recyclable materials and continually improve our systems. Recently, we made all models up to 21% quieter, an update benefiting existing customers too.

Switching is a major step forward: a future-ready home, lower energy costs and a smaller footprint. The right choice!

Want to see Weheat heat pumps up close? Visit one of our Open Saturdays. The coffee is ready and the door is open: you are welcome at our factory! Register at weheat.nl/rondleiding!