Abstract
Low global warming potential air-to-air heat pumps (AAHPs) are emerging as cost-effective and low emission alternatives to fossil fuel heating systems in the building sector. A field-measurement-based model of an R32-based AAHP system is developed to evaluate its economic and environmental benefits compared to the electric heater and oil-fired boiler over the heating season in Nordic climate conditions. The R32-based AAHP system yields the consistently lowest heating costs and CO₂ emissions, reducing both by more than
60%. This outcome is attributed to its high energy efficiency, along with favourable electricity pricing and low-emission power generation in Norway.