Air source heat pumps use outside air to heat buildings, reducing costs and carbon footprint. They require little maintenance and have minimal running costs. They are less efficient than ground source pumps but more efficient than gas, oil or electric heating. They can be installed in existing buildings, but installation during construction is more cost-effective.
Air source heat pumps are highly efficient devices that use heat collected from the outside air to heat the interior of a building. Like other heat pump devices, an air source heat pump can reduce your heating costs and reduce your building’s carbon footprint. Air source heat pumps require very little maintenance and running costs are minimal after the initial purchase and installation costs.
There are two types of heat pumps: air and ground. When the phrase “heat pump” is used, it is generally referring to an air source heat pump. This is because the air source heat pump is the most common heat pump installation. Ground source heat pumps are more efficient than air source heat pumps, but the additional expense of purchasing and installing them is often prohibitive.
The basic function of air source heat pumps is quite simple. A liquid refrigerant is pumped through coils within the heat pump and transfers heat from a cooler area to a hotter area, using the hotter area as a heat sink. Air source heat pump external coils collect or release heat depending on whether the thermostat control is set for heating or cooling.
Air-source heat pumps are used to heat buildings in the colder months, but they are also used for cooling in the warmer months and, in the case of air-to-water systems, the system is also used for the production of hot water. The air source heat pump is believed to operate at an efficiency of 300-400%, meaning it consumes one third to one quarter of the electricity used by typical electric heating units to produce the same amount of heat. While air source heat pumps are not as efficient as ground source heat pumps, they are much more efficient than gas, oil or electric heating units.
Outdoor air source heat pump coils are installed on an outside wall or concrete pad in a location where the unit has plenty of room for air movement. If the air source heat pump is installed in an area where the outdoor coils will be heated by the sun, it can further improve the efficiency of the unit. Air source heat pumps can be installed in existing buildings, but installing the heat pump system during construction can minimize the total cost. By replacing existing heating systems with an air source heat pump in well insulated homes, energy consumption can be reduced to the point where the installation is a cost effective heating solution.
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