What is an air to air heat pump?
An air to air heat pump is a type of heating and cooling system that transfers heat from the outside air into your home to provide warmth during colder months. In the summer, many models can reverse the process to cool your home by removing heat from inside. They do this either from a single outdoor unit, known as a monobloc heat pump or a split indoor and outdoor unit.
How does an air to air heat pump work?
Air to air heat pumps take heat from the outside air—even when it’s cold—and transfer it indoors to warm your home. They use a system of fans and refrigerant to absorb heat outside and release it inside, making them an efficient way to heat a building.The process by which an air to air source heat pump heats your home can be summed up in these steps:
- The air to air heat pump pulls in air from outside.
- The heat is absorbed into a special liquid (called a refrigerant).
- This liquid turns into a gas and is compressed to make it hotter.
- The hot gas travels to the indoor unit, where it releases the heat to warm your rooms.
- As the gas cools, it turns back into a liquid and starts the cycle again by returning to the outdoor unit.
What are the benefits of air-to-air heat pumps?
Suitable for homes and commercial office space
Air-to-air heat pumps can be a good choice for commercial offices, homes and flats, especially where an air-to-water heat pump wouldn’t suit. Their outdoor units are typically smaller than air-to-water heat pumps. This smaller size can make them a good choice for small flats and homes with less, or no, outdoor space.
The monobloc system could be suitable for homes where external installation is challenging due to limited access or planning restrictions.
Improve your carbon footprint
Unlike gas and oil boilers, they’re a low carbon heating system that takes heat from the outside air. This will improve your home’s carbon footprint.
Is an air-to-air heat pump right for me?
More often, air-to-air sytems are installed in smaller properties, such as flats and park homes.
Elsewhere in Europe, they’re are more common. This is partly because of the warmer climate, where they’re useful for cooling as well as heating.
There are a few questions you should ask yourself before you decide if an it’s right for you:
Do I have somewhere suitable to put it?
Most types will need an area outside your home for a unit to fit to a wall or on the ground near the house. It needs space around it to get a good flow of air.
How will I heat my water?
Most air-to-air systems don’t provide hot water, so you’ll need another way of heating water for showering, bathing and hot taps. Consider the amount of hot water your household needs, as well as any space or budget considerations. An air to air system in conjunction with our Thermodynamic Solar heat pump can provide all your heating and Hot water needs
Are there grants available for air-to-air heat pumps?
Not yet within Scotland, but there will be. The Home Energy Scotland Loan fund can provide favourable financing to cover the cost of a new system.