Reclaim Launches ECO R290 All-In-One — Installer's Take

Reclaim has expanded beyond their flagship CO2 split system with a new all-in-one heat pump using R290 natural refrigerant. Here's what it is, who it suits, and where it fits alongside the CO2 range we install every week.

Reclaim Energy has added a new model to their Australian heat pump range — the ECO R290 All-In-One. We install Reclaim systems every week across the Northern Beaches as an authorised dealer, so we've had a close look at the new model and where it fits alongside the CO2 split systems we already know well.

Short version: the ECO R290 is a smart addition to the range. It doesn't replace the CO2 split system — it solves a different problem for a different type of home.

What's New — and What's the Same

The existing Reclaim CO2 range is a split system — the compressor mounts on an outside wall, and the stainless steel tank sits alongside or nearby. It's the workhorse of the range and what we install most often on the Northern Beaches.

The new ECO R290 is an integrated all-in-one unit. Tank and compressor are in a single cabinet — similar in form factor to the Emerald All-In-One or the Stiebel Eltron WWK 222/302. The key difference is the refrigerant: instead of CO2 (which Reclaim is known for), the ECO model uses R290 — another natural refrigerant, with a Global Warming Potential of just 3.

Why R290 and Not CO2 in the All-In-One?

CO2 systems operate at much higher pressures than R290 systems. That's fine — in fact, it's part of why CO2 is so effective — but it makes CO2 harder to package into a tight all-in-one form factor. R290 sits in a sweet spot for integrated units: natural refrigerant, excellent efficiency, and mechanically well-suited to being packaged with a tank in one cabinet.

CO2 and R290 are natural refrigerants outside the HFC phase-down. That does not guarantee future repair costs, parts availability or product life. Installation and service requirements still apply.

Who Should Choose the ECO R290 All-In-One?

• Homes where a combined tank and compressor may suit the available space, subject to the exact ventilation, refrigerant safety and service clearances; an internal plant room is not automatically suitable.
• Straightforward electric storage replacements where the existing tank footprint is the simplest spot for the new unit.
• Smaller households where a 200L all-in-one is the right capacity.
• Installs where cost of installation matters more than maximum efficiency — all-in-ones are generally quicker to fit than split systems.

Who Should Still Choose the CO2 Split System?

• Families wanting higher water temperatures (the CO2 system reaches 65°C without a backup element — handy for larger households).
• Homes where the side of the house has room to wall-mount a compressor separately from the tank.
• Properties where the selected tank material and written warranty conditions suit the water chemistry and environment
• Households with rooftop solar where the CO2 Wi-Fi model's scheduling capability lets you time heating to your solar export window.

What This Means for Northern Beaches Homeowners

The all-in-one and split ranges offer different layouts. Compare capacity, ventilation, service access, noise and the exact warranty. A tank warranty is not a promise of product life or proof that it is the longest available.

We'll be installing the ECO R290 on suitable jobs as they come up, and we'll update our Reclaim brand page with real install photos once we've got a few under our belt on the Northern Beaches.