Although its benefits over other heating or thermal regulation systems are clear, many people are still unaware of what an aerothermal system is exactly. Aerothermal is a way of regulating the temperature of the home, which, through a single installation, performs the triple function of water heater, heating in winter and cooling in winter. We should not confuse it with air conditioning, as it is a different device.
An air source heat pump works by means of a heat pump, through which the system is able to use the thermal energy of the ambient air to generate a new stream of colder or warmer air more efficiently and with less energy expenditure. Whatever the temperature of the outside air, even if it is cold, the thermal energy of the air can always be used by the pump to generate the desired temperature, which together with the new R32 refrigerant, works more efficiently than conventional boilers.
With a single installation, it is possible to obtain coolness in summer, heat in winter, and hot water, being covered all year round by a system that, although it requires a somewhat larger initial investment than a boiler, will ultimately result in much greater economic savings. The requirement is to have a sufficiently large outdoor space to install the generator, as well as a space inside the house in which to install the hot water exchanger and accumulator.
An aerothermal system can be complemented with a solar panel installation, low-temperature radiators or underfloor heating, which further improves the efficiency of the circuit, obtaining a climate control that is very sustainable for the environment, but also economical for the pocket. According to the OCU, aerothermal heating can reach an efficiency of 400%, while a conventional condensing gas boiler can reach an efficiency of 105%. Also, although the price of aerothermal heating is higher than that of other modalities, we would amortize the price sooner, in a period that can vary between 5 and 12 years.
For all these reasons, considering an installation of this type can be very beneficial if we are going to buy a new house or do a renovation.
Main advantages and disadvantages of aerothermal energy
Knowing the basic principles of aerothermal energy, we can summarize its main advantages as follows:
- Saving money + incentives: although the installation is more expensive, in the long term you will recoup the investment sooner and save more money thanks to its efficiency. In addition, you can check if your local council can give you any financial help, since the Government issues some incentives to update energy systems towards more sustainable ones.
- Space saving: you won’t have to put an air conditioner anywhere else in the house apart from the boiler: the aerothermal system cools, heats and acts as a thermos all in one, then distributing the cold or hot air through underfloor heating or another system.
- Better air quality: you can place the indoor unit in your kitchen or laundry room without fear of bad odours; as it does not use combustion, it does not emit nitrogen oxide (NOx) or sulphur oxide (SOx) particles.
- More sustainable: by using up to 75% of the thermal energy already present in the outside air, it does not consume as much electricity.
- Safer: By not using fuel, you avoid the potential problems or risks that come with the presence of these substances and combustion.
In contrast to these positive points, we can recall the downside of an air source heat pump installation: unlike other systems, it may have a lower inertia and therefore the heat or coolness may not last as long in the environment after it is turned off. It should also be mentioned that the internal air source heat pump (the one inside the house) can emit some heat, which can be bothersome in summer if we do not have a surrounding space of about three metres around the device. Also, we must mention the price: although the operating cost is lower, the installation will be expensive, probably more than what it would cost to replace a boiler and an entire cooling system in the home.
Types of aerothermal energy
There are two main types of aerothermal installations: monobloc aerothermal and bibloc aerothermal.
Monobloc aerothermal energy is going to be the most suitable system for homes that do not have much space inside. In this case, all the parts of the circuit, including the compressor, are inside a single unit that is placed outside. By synthesizing everything in a single unit, the monobloc system saves space and is a simpler and faster installation. On the other hand, bibloc aerothermal energy is the one that, as we explained at the beginning, is made up of two parts, one outside and one inside. The bibloc will allow several units to be installed inside the house, with which the hot or cold air can be distributed better. Although its installation requires more time, it will allow a more flexible distribution of heat or cold.
