If you are planning to install a heat pump at your house or building you should first consider different types of available heat pumps. Heat pumps are of many different types but two types are most common. One is known as air source heat pump and the other one is known as ground source heat pumps. Here in this article, we will explain the air source heat pumps and their advantages and disadvantages in detail.
How Does the Air Source Heat Pump Actually Work?
Air source heat pumps work on the basic principle of refrigerators. They just extract air from outside source and convert it to heat to produce energy. Air source heat pumps have both heat and cool functions. They are installed outside the building. Air source heat pumps are further divided into two subtypes.
Air to Air Heat Pumps: used to get heat from outside air and transfer it to inside of your house through a fan to heat up the room.
Air to Water Heat Pumps: used to get heat from outside air and transfer it to your central heating system to be used for water heating, radiators or underground heating.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Air Source Heat Pumps
Following is a list of advantages that you can get if you install an air source heat pump at your place.
- Less Carbon Emissions
Air source heat pumps emit very less carbon emissions as compared to coal based or other electricity-based systems. Air source heat pumps when produce 3 to 4 units of energy only 1 unit of electricity is consumed and therefore, it emits very less carbon in the air. That means the air source heat pumps are eco-friendly.
- Savings in Utility Bills
Air source heat pumps have a direct positive effect on your monthly utility bills. They use air to heat up or cool the room, they consume very less electricity. If you are switching from a coal or electricity-based system, then you will note a significant drop on your monthly energy bills.
- Long Life
Air source heat pumps have a longer life span as compared to other heating or cooling solutions available in the market. They can generally work for up to 20 years without giving you much worry if they are installed properly.
- Low Maintenance Cost
The maintenance cost of air source heat pumps is very less. They only need servicing only once a year. Only cleaning after every 3-4 months is enough. This cleaning includes cleaning of filters, checking fir any leakage in the system, clearing leaves and dust from your heat pump. These simple steps will help you to maintain your heat pumps easily.
- Less Expensive
Air source heat pumps are relatively less expensive when compared with other pumps like ground source heat pumps. Their installation is very easy. Only a unit has to be placed outside to collect air. No technicalities are involved in the installation process which makes it much cheaper.
Disadvantages of Air Source Heat Pumps
Following is given a list of disadvantages or drawbacks of air source heat pumps.
- Performance Affects as the Temperature Drops
As the mechanism of air source heat pump is designed in a way that they need air to perform its functions. Their performance affects badly in areas that have relatively lower temperatures closed to freezing in winters. This is a factor that should be considered before installing an air source pump in your house especially if you are in an area that has very low temperatures in winters.
- Takes More Time to Heat Up
The air source heat pump takes more time to actually start up. They use air source to produce heat, therefore the pump has to first adjust the temperature of air before actually converting it into heat energy. This process takes time. That results in a long waiting time for users to get heating inside the room.
- Loud Sound
Another drawback of air source heat pump is its loud sound. They are somewhat very noisy. Their outer unit is placed outside the building so their loud sound can also be very disturbing for your neighbors. That is why, in some areas, you have to take special permissions before installing an air source heat pump.
- Requires Well Insulated Space
Air source heat pumps can increase the upfront cost in a way that they require a well-insulated place to work properly and to give you good service. To make your home well insulated, you need to spend some extra money. If the heat will keep on escaping from window corners or spaces, you will never get your desired heating or cooling. Therefore, it is a necessity to first insulate your place properly before the installation of an air source heat pump.
Key Points
The above article has given a clear picture of the advantages and disadvantages of an air source heat pump. This information will help you make a more informed decision. Air source heat pumps are more efficient than traditional heating or cooling systems and they are more energy-efficient as well. But there are also drawbacks to the air source pumps like loud sound and decreased performance in cold climates.
