Este sistema de climatización para el hogar es uno de los más eficientes y sostenibles del mercado, entre otras cosas, porque se alimenta en un 75% de energía renovable.

Caring for the planet and the pursuit of sustainability have long been among the top priorities for architecture professionals. The question of what geothermal heating is and how it works is now being answered through the construction of buildings that incorporate innovative climate control systems, which not only reduce their ecological footprint but also make them energy-efficient residential solutions.

In this context, the air-source heat pump system is simply one of the most high-performance building HVAC systems. It is environmentally friendly, more efficient, and, in the long run, more economical—all characteristics that have made it one of the most popular systems today.

And that’s not all. In addition to new-construction homes, this system can be installed in existing buildings, a feature that also makes it a very attractive option in the renovation and remodeling sector.

What Is Aerothermal Energy in Construction?

To understand what aerothermal energy is and how it works, we must start with an efficient approach to building climate control. Broadly speaking, an aerothermal system is a climate control system based on extracting free energy from the outside air using a state-of-the-art heat pump. This energy from the air can be converted into heating, hot water (DHW), or cooling, using an outdoor unit and one or more indoor units.

It is currently considered one of the most efficient systems on the market; not surprisingly, it can yield savings of up to 70%, although this varies depending on the fuel originally used (if any).

In fact, the only cost involved is the electricity required to run the compressor, although for every kWh used, it can generate up to 4 kWh of thermal energy.

How Aerothermal Energy Works

Every air-source heat pump system requires an outdoor unit and one or more indoor units. Through a thermodynamic cycle involving a refrigerant gas compressed to a very low temperature, the system is able to extract heat from the outside air.

However, the heat pumps used in this type of HVAC system differ from conventional ones; whereas conventional systems use direct expansion or air-to-air systems, aerothermal systems employ air-to-water heat pumps. It is the exchange of heat with the outside environment that allows the water to be heated and, ultimately, provides heating in the winter, cooling in the summer, or domestic hot water.

But how exactly does aerothermal energy work? The mechanics aren’t particularly complex, but the process involves various components that make up the system. The outdoor unit is responsible for drawing in air, which, once inside the system, heats the refrigerant and passes through the evaporator, compressor, condenser, and expansion valve—all of which amplify its heat before transferring it to the water used for heating and domestic hot water (DHW).

Video summary on how geothermal heat pumps work

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Air-Source Heat Pump System

Energy efficiency is one of the main advantages of an air-source heat pump system. The performance of these types of systems is particularly impressive, and, as we mentioned earlier, their maximum COP (Coefficient of Performance) is around 4 or 5—which means that for every kWh of electricity consumed, the system can produce up to 4 or 5 thermal kWh. But there’s more.

Up to 75% of the energy required for its operation comes from the outside air. In other words, the system is powered almost entirely by renewable energy, so only the remaining 25% comes from electricity consumption, resulting in significant energy savings.

Efficient, renewable, sustainable… The benefits of geothermal heating systems don’t end there. This eco-friendly heating and cooling solution requires very little maintenance, and because it involves no combustion, it is safer than other systems. Furthermore, it can be combined with various systems such as underfloor heating or low-temperature radiators, and installation is simpler than that of other options powered by non-renewable energy sources.

However, there are not only advantages. Among its main drawbacks are the initial investment—which is usually higher than that required for installing other systems—and the need for space to install the outdoor unit, which can sometimes be a challenge, especially in existing homes.

Which is better: air-source heat pumps or geothermal systems?

Before addressing this issue and once we have a clear understanding of what air-source heat pumps are and how they work, it is important to clarify what geothermal energy is. Unlike an aerothermal system, geothermal energy draws its heat from beneath the ground. Both systems, however, use heat pumps, although geothermal energy harnesses the constant temperature of the subsoil to heat and cool the home.

That stability is one of the advantages of this system, which, according to experts, offers better performance than geothermal heat pumps. However, both are highly efficient and sustainable, so either option is ideal for an eco-friendly home. In any case, aerothermal systems require a lower initial investment, and their installation is faster and simpler.