A Small Encyclopedia of What You Must Know About Air Source Heat Pumps

1. The Concept of an Air Source Heat Pump

An air source heat pump is equipment that transfers heat from the outside air to water or air to heat your house or provide hot water to your home. Here the outside air is taken as a lower-temperature space. And your home and heating system are seen as the other higher temperature substance or space. It is in the opposite direction of the spontaneous heat transfer.

2. Working principle

The operation principle of an air source heat pump is the Reverse Carnot Cycle Principle. That is, the compressor absorbs the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant gas from the evaporator, compresses the low-temperature and low-pressure gas into high-temperature and high-pressure gas by consuming a small amount of electricity, and then discharges it to the condenser for heat exchange with water. The temperature of high-temperature and high-pressure gas drops and is liquefied into liquid. After being throttled and reduced by the expansion valve, it becomes a low-temperature and low-pressure liquid and enters the evaporator since the temperature of the liquid refrigerant is lower than the ambient temperature. After absorbing the heat in the air, it is vaporized into gas, which is finally sucked in by the compressor and compressed into high-temperature gas. The above all is the cycle to produce hot water, which is repeated.

3. Various Types of Air-Source Heat Pumps

Next, I'd like to introduce the different types of air source heat pumps according to different classification criteria.

Ductless HP vs Ducted HP vs Short-Range Ducted HP

According to the presence or absence of ducts, air source heat pumps can be divided into three categories: ductless and ducted and short-range ducted. Their meaning, as the name suggests, and I will not explain their definitions one by one. Now I'll briefly describe where they are best suited for the application. Ductless air source heat pumps require minimal installation space and are typically used in buildings with additions. Ducted heat pumps are used in houses that already have an existing ventilation system. Short-run traditional ducted systems run through only a part of the house and are often supplemented with other ductless equipment.

Split Type vs Monoblock Type

The split heat pump is composed of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, which are connected through a copper pipe. The split heat pump is easy to install and hang and has good anti-freeze properties. Most heat pumps are split systems because of their obvious benefits.

The monoblock type delivers heated or cooled air to the room through ducts running through the walls or roofs.

Air-to-water vs Air-to-air

Depending on whether the heat pump ultimately heats water or air, air-source heat pumps can be divided into two types: air-water (by heating water in a central heating system) and air-air (by heating the air in a room). An air-to-water heat pump is generally applied to larger radiators or water floor heating, which requires a large surface area to release heat for optimal effects. It can heat water and store it in a hot water tank for your hot water faucets and showers.

An air-to-air heat pump takes heat from the outside air and delivers hot or cold air to your home through a fan and air circulation system. Because there is no hot water tank, you will need an immersion heater or other water heating system to compensate for the system's inability to produce hot water.

4. Considerations on Whether a Heat Pump is Right for You

Whether an air source heat pump is the right choice depends on your location， climate, budget, and installation.

Different air source heat pumps have different temperature ranges suitable for operation. A typical heat pump operates in the temperature range of -25 degrees Celsius to 40 degrees Celsius. The latest technology allows air source heat pumps to operate effectively in cold climates. If you are interested in the cold climate heat pumps, click to learn more: https://sprsunheatpump.com/evi-low-temperature-heat-pumps.html

Several factors will determine your budget: the type of heat pump you choose, the number of houses you need to heat or cool, the size of the house, and the insulation, the current heating system of the house.

A rough estimate is that for a single room, installing a ductless air source heat pump costs between $3,500 and $6,000, while for a ducted air source heat pump, installation typically costs between $12,000 and $20,000.

Apart from learning about the installation cost of the heat pumps, it is also necessary to know how much you will have to spend on the monthly operation and maintenance of the heat pump. Energy Star shows that an average American household spends more than $2,200 (2236.685 Euros) per year on energy bills, with nearly half of that cost going to heating and cooling. Heat pumps are energy efficient.The good news is that many European countries offer incentives and rebates for purchasing air-source heat pumps, which can effectively reduce upfront costs.

Normally, the smaller the house, the fewer houses you heat or cool, and the better insulated the house is, the more money you could save on heat pumps. Besides, if your current heating system has already included the ducts, the installation will be less expensive and much easier.

5. Installation

Increasingly advanced science and technology have made installing heat pumps much easier, more intelligent, and more systematic. Air source heat pumps are usually installed at the back or side of your house. And you need to make sure there is adequate space for the outdoor unit's air circulation. The various lines of the heat pump are marked. When wiring, the indoor and outdoor units can be connected according to the markings.

6. Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

Wide range of application temperatures ranging from -25 ℃ to 40 ℃, year-round use

Low operating costs: remarkable energy-saving effect, short payback period, saving 70% of energy.

Environmentally friendly products, no pollution, no combustion emission substances, causing no harm to humans.

Convenient: occupying very little space.

Disadvantages.

Every coin has 2 sides, and the heat pump is no exception. Since the air power is decentralized, so the heating speed is slow. Additionally, air source heat pumps are prone to frost problems and cannot be used in areas below -35°C.

7. Conclusion

There are more advantages than disadvantages in terms of heat pumps. So it would be best if you combined several aspects to decide whether to make a final purchase or not. SPRSUN heat pumps enjoy a good reputation in the industry! You deserve it! Feel free to contact us to learn more about heat pumps.