As the heat pump sector increasingly shifts towards natural refrigerants, ensuring that technicians and installers are equipped with the right safety skills becomes essential.

Under the framework of the SKILLSAFE EU project, a dedicated training session was recently organised in Athens for members of the Association of Certified Refrigeration Engineers (HUFGAS), focusing on the safe handling of residential heat pumps using highly flammable refrigerants such as R290 (propane).

The session was organised under the guidance of Miranda Groot Zwaaftink and brought together technicians and professionals eager to strengthen their knowledge on the transportation, equipment requirements, and installation procedures linked to R290 heat pumps. Particular attention was given to the importance of accuracy in safety procedures and coordination between different professional roles involved throughout the installation process.

The training also highlighted the broader objectives of SKILLSAFE EU: supporting the development of a skilled workforce capable of safely managing the growing deployment of heat pumps using natural refrigerants across Europe. The project is currently developing industry-wide guidelines and training materials covering the full lifecycle of R290-based residential heat pumps, from transport and installation to maintenance and disposal.

The Greek session demonstrated the strong interest from industry professionals in improving competencies and contributing to a safe and sustainable transition towards low-carbon heating and cooling solutions.

The SKILLSAFE EU project is co-funded by the European Union under the LIFE Programme and aims to strengthen safety knowledge, training, and best practices for the deployment of heat pumps using higher flammability refrigerants

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