Heat Pumps: Air-to-Ground

Overview

• Water-to-water heat pumps utilise the heat in the outdoor air to heat water, which can then be used for space heating, underfloor heating, or to provide hot water. These systems typically consist of an outdoor unit, a heat exchanger, and a water storage tank. 

• Air-to-water heat pumps extract heat from the outdoor air and transfer it to a water-based central heating system, such as radiators or underfloor heating. These systems are designed to provide efficient space heating and can also be used for domestic hot water production. 

• Ground source heat pumps, also known as geothermal heat pumps, utilise the relatively stable temperature of the ground to provide heating and cooling. They extract heat from the ground through a network of buried pipes (ground loop) and transfer it to the indoor space. GSHPs require sufficient land area for the installation of the ground loop system. 

• Hybrid heat pump systems combine air-to-ground heat pumps with other heating technologies, such as gas or oil boilers. These systems are designed to provide efficient heating by utilising the heat pump as the primary heat source and the backup boiler for peak heating demands or extremely cold weather conditions.

• Monoblock heat pumps are compact units that combine the outdoor and indoor components into a single housing. These systems do not require refrigerant pipework and are relatively easy to install. They can be used for air-to-water applications, providing heating and domestic hot water. It's important to note that the suitability of each heat pump option may depend on factors such as property size, heating and cooling requirements, available space, ground conditions, and budget.