2 June 2025
Heat pumps are heating systems appreciated due to low operating costs, convenience of use, no negative impact on the natural environment. It is the most effective, energy-saving, ecological and cheapest way to heat the house and prepare domestic hot water. That is why many people, when building or modernizing a house, decide to use a heat pump, while facing a dilemma - ground or air heat pump?
Air Heat Pump - What makes it different?
The lower source of energy in air heat pumps is atmospheric air, which is collected from the building's surroundings. Thermal energy from the air is then directed through the refrigerant to the heating system inside the house. The heat pump can not only provide heating, but also cooling (it then removes warm air from the interior of the rooms) and for the preparation of domestic hot water.
There are two types of air heat pumps. These are:
- Air to Air Heat Pump, the action of which consists in taking air from the outside and in a heated form directing directly to the air inside the rooms. This type of heat pump can also be used to cool the air.
- Air-water heat pump, which is also based on atmospheric air, but directs thermal energy to the heating system in the building (it can be plane heating: underfloor, wall, ceiling heating, as well as heaters) and an installation ensuring domestic hot water. The air-to-water heat pump can also have a cooling function.
Air heat pumps are currently the most popular. Their purchase and assembly is associated with much lower costs than in the case of ground heat pumps. In order to install an air heat pump, it does not necessarily have special permits, and the assembly itself is almost non-invasive. An air heat pump is also a small device that can be installed without special rooms for this purpose.
Ground heat pump - is it worth it?
Ground heat pumps use heat cumulative energy in the ground. They collect it using the so-called Heat exchangers that can be assembled deep into the ground (vertical collectors) or in under the freezing surface, creating a network of tubes underground (horizontal collectors). The energy consumed is directed by the heat pump to the heating system inside the building.
The advantage of ground heat pumps is their high efficiency. They base their actions on a very stable heat source, which means they can work efficiently even at very low outside temperatures.
The installation of ground heat pumps is associated with the necessity to carry out earthworks or wells, which is why it is most often recommended for new buildings. Otherwise, it will involve digging up the garden, which is not always an option.
The purchase price of a ground heat pump does not differ much from the price of a device such as an air heat pump. However, due to the need for boreholes to install a ground pump, the investment costs increase significantly - even twice in relation to the air pump. In addition, you must have a plot of appropriate size, and the implementation of the task itself requires special permissions.
What are the advantages of air and ground heat pumps?
The decision to install a heat pump, regardless of whether it is a ground heat pump or an air heat pump, has specific benefits for investors. First of all, they are multifunctional devices that can be used both for heating and cooling, as well as for heating domestic water.
They opt for a ground or air heat pump, it is also active in the protection of the natural environment, as all types of heat pumps are based on renewable energy sources. Their work does not cause air pollution, as no harmful substances, including carbon dioxide, are emissions.
Ground heat pumps, as well as air heat pumps, are profitable for investors because they realistically reduce heating costs. They can also be combined with a photovoltaic installation providing free electricity necessary for the operation of a heat pump, which will make the operation of the heat pump completely cost-free.
Heat pumps are safe, maintenance-free, convenient and reliable devices. They can provide high thermal comfort for many years - it is estimated that even for 50 years.
ground or air heat pump - summary
When faced with a ground pump or an air pump, many important factors should be taken into account. First of all, the main difference will be visible in the costs - investment in ground heat pumps is associated with the need to incur much higher initial expenses, which results from the need to install horizontal collectors or vertical collectors. Air pumps are also easier to install than ground pumps, and their small size means that they can be installed practically anywhere.
The operation of air and ground heat pumps is also based on a different heat source. Air pumps operate in changing conditions - in winter temperatures drop to as much as -20 degrees Celsius, while in spring and summer the pump works at about + 10-15 degrees. The ground is a much more stable source of heat - the temperature underground does not hesitate there - the difference is from a few to several degrees, even in the case of severe frosts. That is why ground heat pumps can be devices with high efficiency.
In the case of air heat pumps, there has been a change in performance in the last few years. Technological progress has made them work efficiently even at -25 degrees Celsius.
If you do not know whether to opt for a ground or air heat pump, consult experts - Hymon specialists will help you choose the best solution for your home!
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