How does an air heat pump work?
A home that feels great, for you and the environment. This requires smart construction methods and sustainable heating systems. The air source heat pump is one of the smartest solutions in this regard. Let ‘s find out how an air source heat pump works and what the advantages are.
Hard to imagine, but true: even at low outside temperatures, the air is full of thermal energy. This means that even at freezing temperatures as low as -20 °C, this energy can be converted into usable heat with an air source heat pump. Or more precisely, with an air-to-water heat pump.
Refrigerant circuit for cosy warmth
At the heart of an air source heat pump is the refrigerant circuit. But don't let this apparent contradiction mislead you. Because ambient heat and the clever interplay of aggregate states are used to convert cold into usable thermal energy.
How does air become heat? The individual phases of an air source heat pump:
- A fan draws in outside air and passes it through an evaporator in which refrigerant circulates.
- The heat from the outside air is absorbed by the refrigerant, causing it to vaporise and change into a gaseous state, and a compressor compresses the gaseous refrigerant, causing its temperature to rise sharply.
- The now hot refrigerant transfers its heat energy to the heating system via a condenser, for example to underfloor heating systems or radiators, while the refrigerant cools down and liquefies again.
- It now flows back into the evaporator, where the process starts all over again.
Advantages of an air source heat pump
- Environmentally friendly: As air source heat pumps utilise energy from the ambient air, they reduce the use of fossil fuels and therefore CO₂ emissions. They therefore make a valuable contribution to climate protection.
- Energy-efficient: Air source heat pumps generate more energy than they consume. This means they can generate up to 4 kWh of heat from 1 kWh of electricity, making them an extremely efficient heating system.
- Low costs: The high efficiency of the air source heat pump can significantly reduce heating costs. Even though the purchase costs may be higher, the investment is amortised over the years through the savings in operating costs.
- Year-round use: An air source heat pump can be used not only for heating in winter, but also for cooling in summer. This makes it a clever all-rounder for any home.
Good to know! All our projects are classified as low-energy houses. Modern air-to-water heat pumps make a significant contribution to this. Not only are these appliances exceptionally quiet, they usually do not need an outdoor unit at all. Want to see for yourself? Then why not visit us at our Open House dates! |
You can find out more about a pleasant living ambience in our blog post on component activation.
