õhk vesi soojuspumbad (Air-to-water heat pumps) are a great alternative to heating and cooling your home. They are often installed directly in the ground, but can also be placed above ground or even on the roof of your home. The technology is similar to that which you would find in an air conditioner, but it uses the same principle to do so, instead of using refrigerants like those found in the typical A/C unit.
This article will explain what an air-to-water heat pump is and how they work, as well as some advantages in using them for your home.
What Is An Air-To-Water Heater?
An air-to-water heater is a device that heats water by using cold air from outside to heat the water inside. There are two main types of these units, depending on whether they use hot water or chilled water.
If you’re interested in installing one in your home, you’ll need to decide if you want hot or chilled water. The choice depends on where you live, as not all areas have access to both.
Hot Water Heaters
You may wonder why anyone would choose a hot water system over a traditional central heating system. While this is true, there are many reasons why people still prefer to have their water heated with a hot water system.
For starters, a hot water system can provide a variety of benefits, such as being more efficient than a standard furnace, while at the same time costing less to operate. In addition, they can take up much less space than a gas furnace, and won’t require any additional ductwork or vents.
A hot water system will also save energy because it has a smaller capacity than a conventional furnace. This means that you’ll only need to run the system when you need to heat a small amount of water, rather than running it constantly all day long.
In addition to these benefits, hot water systems tend to last longer and perform better than a traditional furnace. This is especially important if you’re trying to keep costs down.
Chilled Water Systems
Chilled water systems are another way to heat water. You’ll notice that most water heaters are either hot water systems or chilled water systems, although there are some exceptions. For example, a tankless water heater can produce both hot and chilled water at the same time, which makes this type of unit ideal for large homes.
There are also some hybrid models which combine the best of both worlds.
Pros And Cons Of Hot Water vs Chilled Water
The primary difference between hot water and chilled water is that hot water is water that is hotter than 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius), whereas chilled water is water that is colder than 50 degrees.
While the temperatures may seem similar, they are actually very different. As a result, you should know which type of water you want before purchasing one.
One advantage to having hot water is that it’s easier to use. If you’re not accustomed to working with cold water, then a hot water system may make more sense. However, you’ll need to be careful about the temperature of the water that comes out of your taps, since you don’t want scalding water.
Another benefit of hot water is that it tends to be more accessible than chilled water. Since it’s typically warmer, you can get hot water wherever you need it without needing to buy a special model.
As mentioned earlier, however, you cannot simply switch your hot water system to a chilled water system. You’ll need a new unit altogether.
Pros And Cons Of Air-To-Water Units
Like any other type of heating system, you should always consider the pros and cons of an air-to-water heater before making your decision. Here are just a few of the things to consider when deciding whether or not to install an air-to-water heater in your home.
- Energy Savings
One of the biggest advantages of an air-to-water heater is that they save energy. The system works by using cold air from outside to heat up the water inside. Because of this, you can expect to reduce your monthly bill significantly.
- Space Saving
Another thing to consider is that these units will save you money in terms of installation costs. Not only do they take up less space than a furnace, but they also require far fewer parts to assemble.
- Durability
Air-to-water heat pumps have a lower failure rate than most other heating systems. When compared to a furnace, they also have a higher percentage of maintenance free components, meaning that they won’t require much attention.
- Maintenance Costs
Finally, you should consider the cost of maintaining your unit. Like any heating system, an air-to-water heater requires regular cleaning and maintenance. However, unlike a furnace, it doesn’t require the use of refrigerant, which reduces the amount of required maintenance.
With these benefits and drawbacks in mind, you should be able to determine whether or not you’d like to invest in an air-to-water heater.
How Do Air-To-Water Heat Pumps Work?
When you think of an air conditioner, you probably imagine a large machine that sits outside. However, an air-to-water heat pump operates similarly to an A/C unit, except it uses the same basic principles to cool or heat your water.
The process begins with a fan blowing air into your heat pump. It then pulls this cooled air through a coil inside the unit. Once inside the coil, the air becomes warmer, and eventually reaches the water coils. These water coils absorb the warm air, which causes the water to become warmer.
At this point, the warm water is pumped back into your home. You can then use this water for whatever purpose you need. For example, you could use it to heat your house, or maybe you want to use it for washing dishes.
Air-To-Water Heat Pump Installation Costs
Installation costs shouldn’t be too high when considering an air-to-water heat pump. While you might initially assume that this type of unit would be costly to install, it’s not nearly as expensive as a furnace.
Depending on your location, the installation of an air-to-water heater can range anywhere from $4,000 to $15,000. Some experts say that the price will vary based on the size of the unit and the amount of room in which you plan to place it.
The only distinction between a heat pump and a chiller is that the former is intended to remove heat from an area or process stream, thereby cooling it down and rejecting heat to the environment, whereas the latter is intended to extract heat from the surrounding air and use it to generate useful heat.
Because these units are designed to be used in smaller spaces, the size of the unit itself is likely to play a big role in determining the price. On average, an install will only cost around $5,000.
If you’re planning to replace an existing boiler, it’s possible that you’ll be able to pay for the entire system by yourself. You’ll also need to factor in any necessary permits and inspections, which can add additional expenses.
Advantages Of Air-To-Water Heat Pumps
Now that you’ve learned a bit about how air-to-water heat pumps work, you should understand the advantages of installing one in your home.
- Energy Efficiency
One of the main reasons people would install an air-to-water heater is because it saves energy. Unlike a traditional heating system, which requires constant operation to maintain a constant temperature throughout your home, an air-to-water heater only needs to heat or cool water once per day.
Because it only needs to cool or heat water once per day, the heat pump is able to save a significant amount of energy, which translates to savings on your monthly utility bills.
- Space Saving
Air-to-water heat pumps also allow you to save on space. Since they don’t require the use of any refrigerants, there aren’t any harmful chemicals that must be stored in your home.
Unlike a furnace, which requires a large area to operate, an air-to-water heat pump occupies a lot less space. You can place an A/C unit almost anywhere in your home, but a heat pump will take up less room.
- Durability
Finally, because an air-to-water heat pump does not require the usage of dangerous chemicals or refrigerants, it’s less likely to break down. If anything were to go wrong with your system, you wouldn’t need to worry about the safety of your family.
Since it doesn’t involve the use of hazardous substances, you’ll also avoid the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, fires, or explosions. In fact, many experts claim that A/C units are responsible for more deaths each year than any other kind of home appliance.
As you can see, an air-to-water heat pump offers several advantages over traditional heating methods. However, you should also consider the disadvantages, as well as any potential dangers associated with each option.
Before you decide whether or not an air-to-water heat pump is right for you, it’s essential that you learn more about the specific model that you’re looking at. After doing so, you’ll be able to weigh the pros and cons of each unit against one another.
