AbstractThe paper presents a comparative thermodynamic analysis of seven candidate vapour‐compression heat pump working fluids, namely R‐11, R‐12B1, R‐21, R‐113, R‐114, R‐142b and R‐216. The basis for evaluation is the temperature‐boost/pressure‐penalty ratio and the heat of vaporization. Four of the above refrigerants are covered under the Montreal Protocol. It is observed that R‐21 and R‐216 are effective alternatives for low grade heat recovery and R‐142b for comfort heating. The fluids are compared for ideal operating temperature limits of each refrigerant as well as a f