Air Source Heat Pumps vs. Electric Boilers

Investment Cost

Electric boilers are a little cheaper than air source heat pumps (ASHPs), but they consume about three times more electricity.

Energy Conservation

The operation of air source heat pumps is a process of heat generation via the absorption of the energy in the air and the compression of compressor, which is about 4 times more energy-saving than traditional electric boiler; while electric boiler is a device of direct heat generation without any energy conversion, so only 90% heat can be generated. Thus, ASHPs are more energy-saving than electric boilers.

1. Air to water heat pumps can realize the process of 1KW being converted into 4KW all year round.

2. Boilers can only realize the process of turning 1KW into 0.95KW or lower.

Operating Principle

The operation principle of ASHP is based on the principle of the reverse Carnot cycle. The refrigerant in the evaporator first absorbs the energy in the air and then vaporizes to form steam/gas (vaporization). Then it is compressed into high-temperature and high-pressure gas by the compressor and gets cooled into liquid (liquefied) in the condenser to send the absorbed heat to the water that requires heating. After being depressurized and inflated by the expansion valve, the refrigerant returns to the expansion valve from the beginning, absorbs the heat, vaporizes and completes a cycle. In this way, the refrigerant continuously absorbs the heat from the low-temperature source and outputs the energy to the water, directly reaching the predetermined temperature.

Boilers, also known as furnaces, are composed of electric heater and related electric control components. They are mainly in the form of electric heating  and output steam, high-temperature water or organic heat carrier with certain heat energy.

Components

An air source heat pump unit is relatively complex, mainly composed of four parts: compressor, condenser, evaporator and expansion valve.

The mechanism of a boiler is relatively simple, mainly composed of high-power electric hot wire and an insulated shell.

Safety

There is no pressure or leakage danger in the process of heat generation of ASHP. During the heat generation process of an electric boiler, the insulated shell shall be checked to see whether there is the possibility of electric leakage and the risk of electric shock.

Requirements for Electric Power

The electric load of air source heat pumps is 1/3 smaller than that of electric boilers, and the requirement of power grid is smaller than that of traditional electric furnaces.

Functionality

ASHP belongs to a type of HVAC equipment. It can achieve heating, cooling and hot water for daily life according to the needs of users, with three functions available in one unit. The function of electric boiler is relatively simple, only to achieve the water heating function.

Of course, due to the constraints of investment cost, users have to choose their own heating products according to their own economic conditions. Since the safety coefficient of electric boiler is relatively low, when purchasing, we must choose a large brand with guaranteed after-sales service. The selection of air source heat pump is the same: it is better to choose a professional manufacturer with many years of experience in the industry.