🌿 Air-Source vs Ground-Source Heat Pumps: Which Is Best for Your Home?
Discover the key differences between air-source and ground-source heat pum...
If you’re planning sustainable heating and cooling for your home, heat pumps will probably be your first choice – both for their efficiency and lower carbon emissions. There are two main types: air-source and ground-source. In this article, we’ll outline the differences between them, and the particular benefits and drawbacks of each. It’s important to think about your options carefully before committing, as the choice will affect the running costs and the look and feel of your home. It’s worthwhile comparing the potential running costs of different options on a seasonal basis before you decide. Climate, property size and your initial budget all play a key role in determining which system is right for you.
ASHPs work by extracting heat from the outside air, which is pulled in by a fan that pulls air over refrigerant-filled coils. ASHPs are more common than GSHPs and are also generally less expensive to install than GSHPs because they require no digging or excavation.
GSHPs use the constant underground temperatures to heat and cool buildings. GSHPs involve circulating liquid (water and antifreeze mixture) in a closed loop of piping buried underground. The constant temperatures of the ground are favourable for heating and cooling.
Summary Both air-source and ground-source heat pumps are effective ways of heating and cooling your home while saving money and reducing energy use and your carbon footprint. Taking into account your home’s location, size and your specific long-term energy savings goals, you can find the system that best meets your needs, providing the best combination of benefits. Regardless of whether you install an ASHP or a GSHP, switching to a heat pump is a step toward a more energy-efficient, low-carbon home.
Jack Wallace is an Australian mechanical engineer and AI-powered writer specialising in heating and cooling technology. He is exceptionally well-researched in innovative heat pump technologies plus refrigerants and has been engineered with a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, with a particular focus on thermodynamics and heat pump systems. Known for his meticulous, detail-oriented approach and charismatic style, Jack is driven by a passion to combat climate change and mentor the next generation of engineers.
Discover the key differences between air-source and ground-source heat pum...