What is an Air to Water Heat Pump & How Does it Work?
Every home has different energy needs. An air-to-water heat pump can provide an efficient heating and cooling solution for your household, regardless of size or climate. By using the power of the air to create energy to heat your home and water, air-to-water heat pumps will help reduce your bills and carbon emissions.
Here, we'll explain what precisely an air-to-water heat pump is, how it works, its excellent benefits, and why you should choose one for your home.
What is an air-to-water heat pump?
Air-to-water heat pump systems use the free air outside and a small amount of electricity to heat your home and hot water in the winter and keep you cool in the summer. Air-to-water heat pumps ensure the perfect indoor temperature and on-demand hot water.
Unlike regular heating systems, air-to-water heat pumps transfer heat from the outdoors rather than transforming it from a fuel type, making it far more energy-efficient and cost-effective. If you aren't relying on other gas appliances, such as gas hobs or ovens, you'll never have to pay another gas bill again.
How does an air-to-water heat pump work?
The air-to-water heat pump is a safe and eco-friendly modern system that uses advanced technology to heat or cool down your home. The process is as follows:
- The outdoor unit will draw the outside air into the heat pump.
- The air then passes through an evaporator, where a liquid refrigerant absorbs the thermal energy.
- The liquid refrigerant is turned into a gas and holds the absorbed energy.
- The gas enters a compressor; both pressure and temperature rise.
- It then enters a condenser, and when it meets the heating and hot water system, it condenses into a liquid and releases the energy into the house's circuit.
- When the liquid refrigerant passes the expansion valve, the pressure is released, the liquid cools down, and the process begins again.
- For cooling your home, this process is reversed, where the refrigerant in the outside unit will take the heat from the inside and release it outdoors.
Benefits of an air-to-water heat pump
While air-to-water heat pumps are not a new technology, they've recently seen a surge in popularity due to rising energy bills and people becoming more environmentally conscious. More and more are experiencing the superior benefits of an air-to-water heat pump in the home, including:
Reduced bills
Air-to-water heat pumps will help you save 25% on your energy bills.
75% less carbon emissions
Four times more efficient than gas boilers, air-to-water heat pumps lower carbon emissions by 75%, and if you are on a green energy tariff, your heating system can be wholly fossil-fuel and carbon emission free.
Designed for your home
Since every home is different, our Aira clean energy experts will design a heat pump solution tailored to your home's needs.
Quick installation
Installing an air-to-water heat pump will usually be completed in approximately 4 days with minimum disruption.
Requires little maintenance
Unlike boilers, heat pumps require very little maintenance and can last approximately 50% longer than traditional gas boilers. Generally, boilers last 10-15 years, while heat pumps last 15-20 years.
Cost of air-to-water heat pumps
The price of a heat pump can vary, depending on the size of your home. Generally, heat pumps can range from £10,000- £30,000 pre-government grant. While the initial costs may be high, the running costs and annual savings on your energy bills over the heat pump's lifetime will be significantly lower.
In England and Wales the government grant contributes £5,000 towards your heat pump, and with the Aira all-inclusive plan, you can also choose to spread the cost of your heat pump with affordable fixed-rate monthly instalments. You don't even need to make a deposit. Get an estimation for an Aira air source heat pump products today.
Why Choose Air-Source Heat Pumps
One of the biggest reasons to choose an air-source heat pump is for a cleaner and greener future, as traditional gas boilers are neither efficient nor sustainable. Heat pumps take 75% of their energy from the outside air and therefore produce 75% less in carbon emissions.
Choosing an air-source heat pump will provide a cleaner future and help reduce costs, which is one of the other main reasons to switch to a heat pump. Aside from cheaper annual energy bills and lower carbon emissions, installing a heat pump will also increase the value of your home.
The significant government grants can go a long way in financing a heat pump. They also require little maintenance and can last up to 20 years.
Get an estimation for our air source heat pump products today.
