Air source heat pump
One of the best technologies when we talk about efficient air conditioning systems for home is the air source heat pumps (ASHP), somestimes called: air-to-water heat pump. We can have cooling, heating and hot water (DHW) in a single unit, and with high energy savings at home.
The development of aerothermal pumps is an alternative with high energy efficiency, sustainable and renewable energy to conventional systems that provide cold and heat to the home. So… What is this type of air conditioning?
What is air source heat pumps
The concept of air source heat pumps is based on a technology that extracts energy contained in the outside air thanks to the heat pump. They can absorb up to 75% of renewable energy from the outside environment, that is, we gain free electricity.
Some systems only need 1 kW of electricity to generate between 3 and 5 kW of heat, obtaining 66-80% of that heat from the outside air for free.
What are the main characteristics of air source heat pumps?
- It is a system that extracts energy from the outside air.
- It has high energy efficiency with significant electricity savings.
- It serves both to heat in winter and to cool in summer, including hot water.
- The installation is usually connected to water radiators or underfloor heating for heating.
- It operates 24 hours, without the need to refuel, but it must be connected to the electrical grid.
- It requires an outdoor unit (like an air conditioner).
- Modern equipment is relatively quiet and low maintenance.
- The initial installation cost is high, but the energy savings are significant.
- It is ecological because it mostly uses renewable energy from the air.
These aerothermal units work like a heat pump with high energy efficiency: we will have heating in winter and cooling in summer, as well as hot water throughout the year.
How air source heat pumps works
We must be clear that aerothermal system (Heat Pump) is an efficient air conditioning technology that uses air energy as a base to air condition different spaces, it is a source of highly efficient and renewable energy.
First, we have to understand that there are two main air source heat pumps systems, the monobloc and the bibloc:
- Monobloc system. Only an outdoor unit is available. It does not have an indoor unit, so no refrigeration connection is needed. The outdoor unit includes an external probe inside.
- Bibloc system: An outdoor unit where aerothermal energy is captured and an indoor unit serves as control of the heating and DHW (domestic hot water) system.
In the following video we will better understand how air source heat pumps energy is obtained and why it helps us save (At the end there is a video of a technician explaining it in more detail):
To clarify concepts of this air conditioning system, the process of how to obtain aerothermal energy is:
- The atmosphere captures the energy emitted by the sun and is at a temperature “X”.
- The aerothermal heat pump technology captures that renewable energy from the air.
- That energy is used in our home through the outdoor unit that sends it to the indoor unit.
- The indoor unit heats the water and produces heating and domestic hot water.
- In summer, it is reversed, the heat from our home is sent outside to produce air conditioning.
This utilization to produce aerothermal energy is carried out through aerothermal heat pumps. Main components of a heat pump are:
- Evaporator: It is like the “lung” of the heat pump. Here, a liquid refrigerant absorbs the heat from the outside air (or another source, such as the ground or water) and transforms into gas.
- Compressor: This component increases the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant gas, preparing it to release the heat inside your home.
- Condenser: The hot refrigerant gas releases the heat and condenses back into liquid. This heat is what is distributed through the emitters in your house.
- Expansion valve: Reduces the pressure of the liquid refrigerant, preparing it to return to the evaporator and repeat the cycle.
In the end, in our house we would have a scheme like:
By incorporating these units for heating by outside air and sustainable cooling, we obtain a significant energy saving, but it is also renewable energy.
Where an air source heat pumps unit can be installed
The systems are initially designed to be used in village houses, single-family homes or small and medium buildings, the main obstacle is all the installation that comes with it, with its unit or outdoor units.
Normally aerothermal units and their main installation are found in the basements of homes
Manufacturers have advanced a lot technologically in air-to-water heat pump installations depending on the unit we use. Whether for new construction, renovation or rehabilitation, heat pumps offer multiple possibilities. As examples:
🟧 Due to the complexity of the installation topic, the Association of Air Conditioning Equipment Manufacturers has a document on heat pumps with practical cases.
For the same surface area to heat, the installation of ASHP heating costs a bit more than conventional heating, but it pays off very quickly, about 5 – 6 years.
On average, an aerothermal installation pays off in 5 – 6 years. And if you use a lot of air conditioning, it can pay off in 4 years
The only element that wears out in the heat pump is the compressor, which has a very long lifespan and is easy to replace by the technical service. The air source heat pumps have an average lifespan of around 20-25 years.
The aerothermal heat installations do not depend on a fuel storage that must be renewed periodically or on specific connections, and the location of the machines is not conditioned by chimneys or combustion gas production.
Additionally, current installations provide zonal temperature control systems to improve energy savings:
A modern heating installation with aerothermal heat pumps allows us to combine low-temperature heating systems with the simultaneous production of DHW, and with the same system, perform cooling in summer without losing the rest of the capabilities.
Depending on the outside temperature, the required energy represents an expense of between 25 and 50% of the propagated heating power. That is, at least half of the energy will be free.
🟧 We can delve deeper into the benefits from the article on the advantages of aerothermal.
How much energy we save
One of the most serious studies that exist is a doctoral thesis on the economic, energy, and environmental analysis of the use of aerothermal (It can be consulted from HERE).
It is evident that manufacturers only highlight the benefits, but if we review the thesis we will see that the savings are significant because air source heat pumps has high energy efficiency.
It is the most efficient electric heating unit for a home where for every 1 KW of electricity consumed it can be transformed into 4 KW of heating power for the home.
Leaving aside the technical explanation of the COP, and what the coefficient of performance is. Everything depends on the outside temperatures of the home for the heat transmission in the home (underfloor heating, fan coils or radiators).
For every kWh of energy we consume in electric, gas or oil boilers, they provide us with a different heating power. Each unit has its own similar performance, except aerothermal, which is much more efficient.
After knowing the problems of aerothermal and the advantages… Would you decide on an aerothermal heat pump?
Summary video
A realistic explanation from a technician who does things well and is recognized on YouTube is the following video (recommended to watch the end with the conclusions):
Where to buy the air source heat pumps unit
Today, as major sellers and brands of aerothermal energy units we have Toshiba, Daikin, Mitsubishi, Vaillant, etc., which can also provide installations that cover everything in one: heating, cooling and even DHW (Domestic hot water)
As always! Request different quotes before buying an air source heat pumps unit, both in local stores (which sometimes surprise in prices) and in large stores like Leroy Merlin, Bricomart, Bauhaus, etc., and in specialized stores.
It is an important investment, and, therefore, you have to look for quality and brand with good guarantees
The price of aerothermal varies according to the size of the home, the units that provide us with cold or heat, as well as the brand. The range of most economical air source heat pumps ranges from 4,000 to 4,500 Euros for heating and DHW. Compare!! And remember to discuss the installation issue, whether it is included in the price or not.
Comparison between air source heat pumps and geothermal heat pump
Some users are asking us what is the difference between aerothermal or geothermal heat pump and their consumption in homes. Although we are comparing two technologies to produce renewable energy, they have different technical aspects of installation and, above all, where they obtain the energy that we will use for home.
- Geothermal: Energy is obtained by taking advantage of the heat from the ground
- Aerothermal: Energy is obtained by taking advantage of the air around us
These two ways of obtaining renewable energy have their advantages and disadvantages, and comparing aerothermal with geothermal depends on many factors; the constructive characteristics of the home, energy consumption, location, weather conditions. You have to ask the experts and compare!
In our opinion, many calculations must be made considering the needs and use of the aerothermal installation, with special emphasis on the climatic conditions (air temperature variations) to see if it is worth switching to geothermal energy.
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