Heat pumps for residential space heating has become an increasingly important alternative to the conventional European heating systems like gas or oil burners. They offer the opportunity to reduce CO2 emission associated with heating residential homes in central and northern Europe as well as energy savings. The operational parameters for compressors in heat pumps are derived from different heat pump configurations. High compressor efficiency and a wide operating map is required so that an economically viable heat pump is achieved which meets the required operational conditions. The modifications to the basic refrigeration scroll compressor design are demonstrated. These dedicated compressor designs make it possible to achieve the required high condensing temperatures. A performance comparison with the standard compressor designs is presented and the available product range for the design of heat pump systems is shown.