What Is a Hydronic Air to Water Heat Pump?

Air source heat pumps are a brilliant idea that fits right in with our childhood fantasies of the future. A canister the size of a large armchair is set on the side of your house. It magically changes chilly outside air into hot water, which is then circulated via your radiator and the floor heating unit.

They can change air temperatures as low as negative 20℃; and provide quick hot water to a residence or even store it for future use.

Surprisingly, they may even produce cool air similar to that produced by an air conditioner during the hot months. Some individuals even connect these heater pumps to their pools to heat water.

Air source heat pumps are easy to install in that they only take a few days. Once correctly done, they can live up to 20 years. Not to mention they will only need some minor upkeep such as cleaning and yearly service. The eco-credentials of this fantastic gear are maybe the finest of all.

An air-source heat pump can perform all of the functions of a standard gas boiler while using less energy and causing minor environmental damage. Because they do not run-on fossil fuels, you need not store fuel. It suffices to establish an air source heat pump and charging it with the electrical current generated from other renewable sources, such as solar panels on your roof. In fact, this allows you to go completely green.

While this may sound like stuff out of a Harry Potter film, the actuality of this air-to-water heating device is a feat of scientific wizardry. The effectiveness of a heat pump is defined by how it functions. Heat pumps are classified as either 'Air-to-Water' or 'Air-to-Air.'

A water heat pump is a device that uses heated air to heat water that will then be circulated through conventional heating systems such as radiators or underfloor heaters. Air to water heat pumps are best for underfloor heating since they work better with low hydro temperatures (about 45℃) than radiators.

Air-to-water units operate by sucking air from outside into their bodies. Similar to how a refrigerator works, though reversely mechanized, this air is utilized to warm a liquid refrigerant. The temperatures of the liquid are subsequently raised through compression that is propelled by an internal pump. In return, the compressed, heated liquid emits its trapped heat, which is then distributed to radiators and floor heaters. Lastly, any remaining heat is used to heat the water in the canister.

Further, air source to water heat pumps has a dual option that allows them to be used as an air conditioning system. They trap the heated air indoors and send it outdoors. Though separate devices can be purchased based on necessity, there still are models that can perform both. To get the ultimate functionality of a hydronic heat pump, you have to ensure that your property is effectively insulated. This is primarily to keep any heat confined within the premises and maintain stable temperatures.

The cost-effectiveness of air to water heat pumps

While this is correct, the explanation for this ostensibly magical effect is that the power was transferred from a source of free energy (water or air) to the house to be utilized. You only have to dig a little into your pocket for the power to pump the unit. (Refrigeration cycle) since this energy is pumped to the interior of your house. Therefore, it is not mystical but simply being opportunistic with free energy available from nature.

The Coefficient of Performance is the ratio of the power consumed to transfer these temperatures to the amount of energy gained. The more significant the amount, the more influential the unit is in terms of energy use.

When it's hotter outside, an air to water heat pump is remarkably efficient. However, throughout the summer period, it has a COP of between 3-35. This implies that for every 1 kilowatt/hour you use, you will generate 3-3.5 kilowatt days of extra energy, conserving 66-70 percent.

Cold weather hydronic air to water pumps

Until lately, conventional heat pumps operated at temperatures slightly below zero and then rapidly degraded. There are several explanations for this. But the most important is that the freon could not absorb sufficient heat energy from the surrounding cold air. To extract more energy from the air, the heat pump's Freon must be run at a lower temperature than the surrounding air. So, if we have to extract energy off -30℃ air, the freon must be supercooled to a degree of -40 C to transfer the energy from a hot source.

Enhanced Vapor Injection, EVI, technology is used in hydronic cold weather heat pumps to reduce Freon temperatures by 30%. Before the primary expansion valve, a secondary subcooling pressurizer and a second electronic compressor valve are added. As a result, some thermal energy is extracted and sent to a particular capillary tube on the EVI compressors. In return, the extra energy enhances the compressor's performance, subcooling the Freon in the evaporator coils. Thus, it gets to function more efficiently in super cold temperatures.

Pros of air to water heater pumps

• They are typically green since they use heat obtained from air or water sources and not coal.

• They save money and are highly efficient.

• It's realistic with the RHI. As such, should you install it before March 2022, you will get payments for every unit of heat generated for seven years.

• It can be used for heating and cooling

The downside of air to water heater pumps

• Supplies low heat when compared to oil or gas boilers

• You will have to spend extra on the underfloor heating installation

• Installations of the ATW unit can only be done in a professionally insulated home

Wrap up

Okay, ladies, gentlemen, hot and cold seasons are inevitable. If you are not smartly braced up, you will find yourself installing two systems and an air conditioner for cooling and traditional heaters for warming up your home.

However, a smart choice is always waiting, the two in one green unit, the hydronic air to water heater pump. It's indeed a wise move if you want to save your energy bills, spent less on maintenance, and get RHI rewards. And hold on, Mother Nature, say thank you!