Air source heat pump

An Efficient and Versatile Solution to Heat Your Home

Air source heat pump is a technology that harnesses the energy contained in the outside air to provide heating, cooling, and domestic hot water. It works through a heat pump that extracts heat from the external air, even in cold conditions, and transfers it to the interior of the home, allowing you to maintain a comfortable temperature without the need for fossil fuels.

Advantages of Air source heat pump

Energy Efficiency: Air source heat pumps are highly efficient, capable of generating up to four times more energy than they consume. This is because they use the external air as a free source of energy. Compared to traditional heating systems, such as electric radiators or boilers, air source heat pumps consume less electricity to generate the same amount of heat.
Renewable Energy: It utilizes a renewable and inexhaustible source: air. This makes it a more sustainable and environmentally friendly option, contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions.
Versatility: Air source heat pumps are not only used for heating but also for cooling in summer and producing domestic hot water. This makes it a comprehensive solution for the home, eliminating the need for different systems for each need.
Low Maintenance: By not using fossil fuels and having a less complex technology than other systems, air source heat pumps require minimal maintenance, reducing long-term costs.
Adaptability: It is suitable for homes of different sizes and construction types, both for new builds and renovations.

Disadvantages of air source heat pumps

High Initial Investment: One of the main drawbacks of air source heat pumps is their initial cost, which is usually higher than that of traditional systems such as electric radiators or gas boilers. The cost of installing an air source heat pump system varies depending on several factors, such as the size of the house, the type of equipment chosen, and the installation conditions (for example, if a new installation is needed or if it is a renovation). On average, the installation cost of an air source heat pump system is between 60 y 100 euros per square meter (€/m²) for an average house. This includes the cost of the heat pump, the outdoor unit, the connections, and labor.
Efficiency Dependent on Climatic Conditions: Although air source heat pumps can operate at low temperatures, their efficiency can be reduced in extremely cold climates, where more energy is required to heat the outside air.
Space requirements: The installation of an air source heat pump system requires space for the outdoor unit, which can be a drawback in homes with limited space or in areas with strict building regulations.

Comparison to conventional systems

Electric Radiators:
- Advantages: Easy to install and do not require construction work. They have a low initial cost and are ideal for small homes or occasional use.
- Disadvantages: Less energy efficient. Operating costs are high, as electricity is more expensive than other energy sources like gas. Additionally, they only provide heating, not cooling or hot water.
Gas-fired Radiators:
- Advantages: More efficient than electric radiators and usually have a lower initial cost than air source heat pumps. They can also provide hot water and heating simultaneously.
- Disadvantages: Rely on fossil fuels, which are less sustainable and environmentally friendly. They also require frequent maintenance and the cost of gas can fluctuate, affecting long-term economics. Furthermore, installing a gas boiler may involve additional construction work, such as installing a chimney or flue.

Air Source Heat Pump+ Solar Panels:
A Cost-Effective Option
for Efficient Homes

By combining air source heat pumps and solar panels, you can achieve an extremely efficient and cost-effective energy solution for your home. Solar panels capture the sun's energy and convert it into electricity, which can power the heat pump. This synergy further reduces operating costs and reliance on the electrical grid, offering an even more economical and environmentally friendly energy source.

Benefits of combining Air Source Heat Pumps and Solar Panels:

Energy independence: By generating your own electricity through solar panels, you can power your heat pump system autonomously, drastically reducing grid energy consumption and associated costs.
Reduced Energy Bills: Solar energy is free once the solar panel system is installed. Combining it with geothermal heating can significantly reduce your home's energy consumption, as solar energy powers the heat pump, reducing the need for grid electricity.
Reduced CO2 Emissions: Using solar energy and geothermal heating not only reduces costs but also minimizes your home's carbon footprint, making it a more eco-friendly and sustainable option. By eliminating the reliance on fossil fuels, this combined system contributes to the fight against climate change.
High Long-Term Return on Investment: Although the initial investment in solar panels and geothermal heating may be significant, long-term savings on energy bills and low maintenance costs make it a profitable solution. The long lifespan of both systems allows for a quick return on investment.

¿How does the combination of air source heat pump, solar panels, and underfloor heating work?

Efficient Heat Distribution: Underfloor heating allows the heat generated by the air source heat pump to be distributed evenly throughout the home. By operating at lower water temperatures (compared to traditional radiators), the air source heat pump system is even more efficient, maximizing energy savings. This is possible because underfloor heating relies on the circulation of low-temperature hot water, which optimizes the performance of the heat pump.
Optimized Solar Energy Use: Solar panels produce electricity during the day, which powers both the air source heat pump and the underfloor heating system. During the sunniest months, excess solar energy can be used to heat the water circulating through the underfloor heating, further reducing the need for grid electricity and making the most of the generated solar energy.
Reduced Consumption and Increased Comfort: The combined system allows the home to consume less energy while maintaining a constant thermal comfort. Thanks to the efficient heat distribution of underfloor heating, the home stays warm without the need for high system temperatures, resulting in lower energy consumption by the air source heat pump.
Sustainability and Long-Term Savings: The combination of air source heat pumps, solar panels, and underfloor heating offers a comprehensive, sustainable, and efficient solution for maintaining a comfortable temperature in the home. The energy generated in a clean and renewable manner reduces CO2 emissions, while the system ensures significant savings in heating costs over time.

Case Study: Yearly Energy Savings in a Single-Family Home

Let's consider a single-family home with the following characteristics:

Floor area: 80 m²

Heating system: Air source heat pump

Solar energy: 16 solar panels, each with a capacity of 500 W

Heat distribution system: Underfloor heating

Installation Costs:

Air source heat pump: Approximately 6.400 € (80 m² x 80 €/m²).
Underfloor Heating: Approximately 6.400 € (80 m² x 80 €/m²).
Solar Panels: Approximately 8.000 € for the complete installation of 16 x 500W solar panels.

Total initial investment = 20.800 €

Annual Energy Savings:

Conventional Heating Energy Consumption (Cold Months Only):
- Cold months in Spain typically last 6 months (November to April). For conventional heating, an 80 m² house can consume approximately 8,000 kWh per year if heating is used year-round.
- Considering only the 6 cold months, the energy consumption for conventional heating would be approximately 4,000 kWh per year (8,000 kWh / 2).

Total Energy Consumption of the House (Daily Use)
- In addition to heating consumption, the house also has other daily energy consumption. On average, an 80 m² house can have the following consumptions:
  - Appliances and lights: Approximately 2,500 kWh per year.
  - Domestic hot water: Approximately 1,200 kWh per year.

Therefore, the total annual energy consumption of the house (including heating, appliances, lighting, and hot water) would be 7,700 kWh per year (4,000 kWh for heating + 2,500 kWh for appliances and lights + 1,200 kWh for hot water).

Consumption with Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP)
- Air Source heat Pump (ASHP) reduces heating consumption by 66%, resulting in a consumption of 1,360 kWh per year for heating alone
- The total consumption of the house with aerotermia (adding the consumption of other uses) would be approximately 5,860 kWh per year (1,360 kWh for heating + 2,500 kWh for appliances and lights + 1,200 kWh for hot water).

Solar Energy Production
- The 16 solar panels of 500 W generate approximately 8,000 kWh per year.
- This production is used to cover both the heating demand and the daily energy demand (appliances, lights, and domestic hot water).

Savings from Solar Energy Self-Consumption:
- Since the solar panels produce 8,000 kWh per year, they fully cover the total energy demand of the house, which is 7,700 kWh per year.
- Therefore, the 8,000 kWh generated by the solar panels fully cover the energy consumption of the house, eliminating the need to purchase energy from the grid.

Energy Cost Savings:
- If the average electricity price is €0.20/kWh, the annual savings would be €1,540 (7,700 kWh x €0.20/kWh).

Total Annual Savings = €1,540 (due to full self-consumption covered by solar panels).

Payback Period Calculation:

To calculate the time it takes to recover the investment, we divide the total investment cost by the annual savings generated by the system:

Payback period = 13,5 años

Monthly Savings:

The monthly savings are calculated by dividing the annual savings by 12 months: Monthly savings = €128.3 per month

Monthly Savings = 128,3 € per month

Final Conclusions

Yearly Savings: 1.540 €

Monthly Savings: 128,3 €

Payback period: Approximately 13,5 years.

This calculation is an estimate and depends on factors such as actual energy consumption, electricity rates, and system efficiency. However, the monthly savings of €128.3 offer a significant reduction in household energy bills, which can be a substantial long-term benefit.

CONTRATA CON ÉXITO