What Are the Different Heat Pump Types, How Do They Operate, and Which Is Best for You?
Heat pump technology has been around for a long time, but only recently have they become affordable and accessible to people. This is because the technology for these units was developed in the 1970’s when oil was cheap and abundant. Today, there are many different types of heat pumps available to homeowners. There are two main types of heat pumps out there today: air-source heat pumps and ground source heating systems. Each type of system has its own advantages and disadvantages. Before you decide which one you want to install, it is important to know the pros and cons associated with each option.
Air Source Heating Pumps
An air source system works by removing heat from outside air and transferring that heat into your home in order to warm up the inside. The most common type of air source unit is called an open coil. It consists of a large evaporator (a metal coil with fins) through which the outside air passes. When the air passes over the evaporator, it absorbs heat and becomes warmer. The warmer air is pushed into your home via a fan. Then, the heated air will be sent back outside again to absorb more heat. An advantage of this type of unit is that it doesn’t require any underground piping or ductwork. You can use it anywhere the outside air is allowed into your house. However, it does not work well during extreme cold weather conditions, since it must operate with a temperature difference between the outside air and the indoor air. Additionally, if the outside air is humid, moisture may condense on the cooling coils, which defeats the purpose of using this type of system.
Ground Source Heat Pumps
A ground source system uses the earth as a heat sink to transfer heat into your home. This means that instead of bringing heat in from outside air, it brings heat in from below. Ground source systems usually consist of three parts: a geothermal heat exchanger, a heat pump, and a storage tank. A heat exchanger is basically a pipe that is buried near the foundation of your home. A heat pump is then placed next to the heat exchanger and transfers heat from the ground to the air. Finally, a storage tank is used so that you can store all of the heat collected by the heat pump. Some ground source systems are able to pull heat from hot springs, volcanic soils, or even groundwater. Since the ground is always hot, this type of system provides consistent, year round heat without having to worry about extreme weather. One disadvantage to this type of system is that it requires a lot of maintenance. In addition, it needs to be installed carefully so that no pipes leak and cause problems with your yard. Finally, you need a concrete slab in your yard to place the heat exchanger in, and the cost of this slab can add up pretty quickly.
Benefits of Air Water Heat Pumps
There are some advantages to air water heat pumps that don’t exist with other types of heat pumps. For example, they are very energy efficient. They also provide uniform room temperatures throughout your whole home. With a standard õhk vesi soojuspumba hind (air water heat pump price), you can set the thermostat on one area of your home and the rest of your home will automatically adjust itself accordingly. Another benefit of air water heat pumps is that they are much quieter than other types of heat pumps. Because they are so quiet, they are great for apartments, offices, and homes where noise might be an issue. Most air water heat pumps also come equipped with automatic shut offs. If they detect that your home is too hot or too cold, they will turn themselves off until you tell them otherwise. This helps prevent you from wasting money on electricity costs while you’re away from home. Air water heat pumps are also easy to maintain. If they break down, you just call the manufacturer and they’ll send someone right out to fix it. Lastly, air water heat pumps are very safe. They do not pose any risk of carbon monoxide poisoning when they malfunction. Additionally, they are extremely easy to understand and install.
Disadvantages of Air Water Heat Pumps
The biggest disadvantage of an air water heat pump is that they aren’t always the cheapest options. On average, you should expect to pay $1,000 to $3,500 for an installation fee alone. But, once you factor in the price of purchasing the equipment, installing it, and maintaining it, they could end up costing several thousand dollars more.
Another downside is that you cannot use an air water heat pump to heat water for your shower or laundry. These machines typically only heat water to a point where it reaches 160 degrees Farenheit, which isn’t enough to meet federal regulations. To make sure that your water heater meets federal standards, you need to install a separate gas or electric water heater. Also, you might find that it takes longer to get your house up to temperature after installing an air water heat pump. This is due to the fact that air water heat pumps draw their heat from the outside air rather than directly from the soil. So, they take longer to heat up, especially in the wintertime.
Advantages of Ground Source Heat Pumps
One of the biggest advantages of a ground source system is that they are completely independent from the weather. If there is snow, rain, sleet, hail, or any other type of precipitation, they won’t melt. Ground source systems are also environmentally friendly. There are no emissions coming from these units. They are also very efficient, so you can save a lot of money on your utility bills. Additionally, ground source heat pumps are very quiet compared to other types of heat pumps.
Disadvantages of Ground Source Heat Pumps
Like air water heat pumps, ground source heat pumps are expensive. A typical installation in a new home will cost anywhere from $2,500 to $5,000. Once again, however, they are very energy efficient, so if you live in a location that experiences a lot of extreme weather, you probably won’t see much of a difference in your monthly utility bill.
The final disadvantage of a ground source heat pump is that you cannot use it to heat your water. The reason for this is that they do not have the ability to raise the temperature of the water to the required level. The only way you would be able to heat your water with a ground source unit is if you had a second, additional unit attached to your existing unit.
Be sure to fully understand the climate zone you are in, your budget, your needs, and of course the location of your heat pump before selecting any system from the various types of heat pumps. A mini-split heat pump is a better option if you are retrofitting an old, existing building. However, if you reside in a rural area close to a sizable body of water, a geothermal or underwater heat pump might be worth considering.
In conclusion, both air and ground source heat pumps have their own advantages and disadvantages. Which one you choose depends entirely on what type of environment you live in and what kind of lifestyle you lead. For example, if you have a family who likes to spend their weekends playing golf, you probably wouldn’t want to install an air source unit. On the other hand, if you like to stay cool in the summer months and enjoy spending time outside, then an air source unit would be perfect for you. In terms of cost, the best place to start is by doing your research. See how much an air source unit would cost before you buy it. This will give you a better idea of whether or not it makes sense for you financially. If you can afford it, go ahead and purchase an air source unit. If money is tight, you might consider investing in a ground source unit. Either way, make sure to check out our article on the differences between air and ground source heat pumps to help you figure out what type of unit would work best for you.