Types of heat pumps, advantages and disadvantages of each of them

Heat pumps are becoming a popular option for many homeowners looking to keep their homes warm and comfortable. These inventive gadgets function by transferring heat, which allows them to be used for both cooling and heating. This post will examine the various kinds of heat pumps that are currently on the market and delve into the particular benefits and drawbacks of each.

Let’s start by discussing air-source heat pumps. These are presumably the most prevalent kind of heat pump found in homes. Air-source heat pumps, as their name implies, bring heat indoors during the winter months by drawing heat from the outside air. Compared to other types, air-source heat pumps have comparatively lower installation costs, which is one of their main advantages. In moderate climates, they can also effectively provide heating. Nevertheless, they may not function as well in very cold climates, which makes them less appropriate for areas with severe winters.

Ground-source heat pumps, sometimes referred to as geothermal heat pumps, come next. Ground-source heat pumps use the earth’s comparatively constant temperature below the frost line, as opposed to air-source heat pumps, which draw heat from the surrounding air. Regardless of the outside weather, they are able to offer effective heating and cooling throughout the year due to the constant temperature below the surface. Although extremely effective and eco-friendly, ground-source heat pumps usually have a higher initial cost because of the installation’s complexity.

The water-source heat pump is another kind of heat pump that is important to discuss. These systems use heat that is extracted from a water source—a lake, pond, or well—to heat or cool a house. While the efficiency and performance of water-source heat pumps are comparable to those of ground-source heat pumps, they offer greater installation location flexibility, particularly for homes with access to bodies of water. But, just like ground-source heat pumps, their initial installation may be expensive.

Finally, we will discuss absorption heat pumps, which work on a different principle than conventional heat pumps based on vapor compression. The refrigeration cycle is powered by an absorption heat pump using a heat source, such as solar energy or natural gas. Although absorption heat pumps can be more environmentally and energy-friendly than conventional heat pumps, they are less common in residential applications and may need specialized maintenance.

In summary, every kind of heat pump has a unique set of benefits and drawbacks. The ideal heat pump for your house will depend on a number of variables, such as the local climate, your spending limit, and your available resources. In order to achieve the best possible comfort and energy efficiency in their homes, homeowners can make educated decisions by knowing the distinctions between air-source, ground-source, water-source, and absorption heat pumps.

Types of heat pumps	Advantages and disadvantages
Air-Source Heat Pump	Advantages: Cost-effective to install, works well in moderate climates. Disadvantages: Efficiency can drop in colder temperatures, noisy operation.
Ground-Source Heat Pump (Geothermal)	Advantages: Highly efficient, works in any climate, long lifespan. Disadvantages: Expensive upfront cost, requires significant space for installation.

In our guide to heating and insulating your home, we delve into the realm of heat pumps, exploring their various types along with their pros and cons. Heat pumps offer an efficient way to heat and cool your home by transferring heat between indoors and outdoors. There are three main types: air source, ground source (geothermal), and water source. Air source heat pumps are the most common, drawing heat from the air outside and moving it inside during winter, and vice versa in summer for cooling. They"re relatively easy to install and more affordable upfront, but their efficiency can decrease in very cold climates. Ground source heat pumps tap into the stable temperature underground, offering consistent efficiency year-round, but they require more installation work and higher initial costs. Water source heat pumps use bodies of water for heat exchange, providing high efficiency but necessitating access to suitable water sources. Each type has its advantages and drawbacks, and choosing the right one depends on factors like climate, available space, and budget.

Device and principle of operation

In general, the heating pump is made up of:

• compressor installation;
• condenser heat exchanger;
• evaporative heat exchanger;
• Automation and connective reinforcement tools.

For compression and transmission through the refrigerant pipelines—which are used in contemporary TNs R410A and R407C, safe for the ozone layer—a compressor is necessary.

The freem temperature increases quickly upon compression, travels to the capacitor, and then adiabatically transfers thermal energy to the consumer at pressures of up to 40 bar. The coolant or air that serves as the consumer provides the energy for the heating system. As the temperature drops, the material transforms from a gas to a liquid (an isothermal process).

Subsequently, the liquid refrigerant enters the heat exchanger via the valve-targeter, which is used to dosage and lower pressure. Freon transforms back into gas when it passes through the evaporator channels because of the pressure drop. The earth’s subsurface, air, and water serve as the source of heat, lowering the temperature. After that, the compressor receives the cold freon, and the process is repeated.

The heat pump’s operating principle

Thus, the heat pump only transfers heat to the house—it does not create heat on its own. Electricity is needed for the work, primarily for the compressor. The transformation indicator (SOR), which is the ratio of the generated thermal energy to the electric energy consumed, is used to assess the efficacy of TN. The parameter, which ranges from 2 to 6, is dependent upon the heat pump type and manufacturer.

Types of heat pumps

The following types of heat pumps are distinguished based on the technology utilized for energy distribution and fencing, equipment design, and operation procedures:

• "Air-air";
• "Air-Wood";
• "Soil-water" (geothermal);
• "Water-water".

"Air-air"

The atmospheric air serves as the device’s energy source. The heat pump looks like a split system and can operate normally at temperatures as low as -30 °C by drawing energy from the surrounding air. The air inside the condenser heats the entire house.

Pump for heat "air – air"

• low cost;
• convenience and installation speed;
• Lack of heat carrier leaks.

• the impossibility of organizing hot water supply;
• decrease in the indicator of the IS at negative temperatures;
• the need for the installation of internal blocks in the rooms, the installation of air ducts.

"Air-to-air" thermal installations are primarily found in seasonal homes and should not be regarded as the primary source of heating.

"Air-Wood"

The system operates on the same principle as the prior model. The coolant used in the hotel circuit and for house heating, rather than the air in the rooms, is what makes a difference.

The effectiveness of the pump operation is reduced if regular batteries are used to heat the premises. Large-area convectors and radiators, as well as low-temperature systems like "Warm Walls" and "Warm Paul" with water coolant, should be utilized with TN "Air-Water."

Utilizing the "air-water" air pump, the heating and distribution heating system is organized.

• the possibility of organizing hot water supply;
• service life, reliability;
• drilling wells is not required;
• maximum efficiency in spring and autumn.

• the inability to use at temperatures below -20 ° C;
• the need to defrost the external unit;
• A significant decrease in the coefficient of the GRO at negative temperatures (up to 1.2).

Only warm climates are suitable for installing Air-Wood pumps as a single heating system. They are frequently installed in the middle lane next to other heating appliances (wood pellets, solid fuel, electric boilers, and fireplaces with water circuits).

"Group-wound"

One external (geothermal) contour that is involved is the Earth’s interior. Hence, regardless of the pores and air temperature, the heating pumps of the "soil-water" have a significant advantage over other types of tons-stability of the PA parameter.

Geothermal circuit construction can be done in three ways:

• horizontal;
• vertical;
• inclined.

Circuit horizontal

Utilizing the Earth’s thermal energy necessitates setting up a collector that takes up a sizable amount of space. The equipment performance is quite low—30–40 watts per linear meter of the contour—due to the pipeline system’s proximity to the surface.

The polyethylene pipe laying depth is approximately 1.3-2 meters, which is taken 0.3-0.5 meters below the freezing line. Throughout the year, the temperature in this zone stays positive (between +3 and +15 °C).

The size of the house, the proportion of glass, and the level of insulation all affect how much space is allotted to the collector. In-depth heat engineering calculations are needed to establish the necessary section and pipe diameter.

The TN "Ground-Water" placement scheme features a horizontal contour.

There are two configurations for a horizontal collector:

1. The soil is cut throughout the site, the heat exchanger pipes are laid with an interval of 0.6-1.5 m. Upon completion of the layout, the foundation pit is covered back. For the work, heavy ground equipment is used – bulldozers, frontal loaders, Excavators of a straight or reverse shovel.
2. The stacking of the collector pipes is carried out in several stages in ditches with a width of 0.6-1.0 m. For excavation, mini-excavators or excavators-loaders are used.

Perks of using a horizontal circuit

• lower cost compared to vertical styling;
• the possibility of work during laying of other engineering networks (sewage, water supply);
• Stability of the system, regardless of the time.

• the impossibility of execution during the completed landscape design of the site;
• a significant occupied area on which the planting of trees and other landscaping work is prohibited;
• the need to ensure natural precipitation and sunlight.

Circuit in the vertical

The system consists of a bureau of wells that are 30–200 meters deep and have geothermal probes—special equipment—lowered to the bottom. The temperature in this zone stays constant for many decades, rising by 2-4 °C for every 70-100 m.

The "soil-water" heat pump placement plan with a vertical circuit

• Significantly reduces the area necessary for the arrangement in comparison with the horizontal contour;
• stability of the indicator of the SOR;
• the ability to install a heat pump in residential buildings, industry enterprises.

• the need for preliminary engineering and geological surveys;
• involving drilling plants and special equipment;
• Stabilization of heat transfer for 2-3 season of operation.

Skewed outline

It only takes a 4 m2 plot to install a heat pump with an inclined circuit. It is possible to burrow wells even in the home’s basement.

Wells are drilled in a pre-equipped mine 4 m deep in various directions at an angle. They installed pipes that were connected to the home’s heat receiver.

The area between the ground and the pipes is filled with a construction solution with a low thermal conductivity to prevent the soil from the inclined circuit from freezing.

Installing the "Ground-Water" thermal pump with an inclined circuit

"Water-water"

Soil water is used to generate heat. They are at varying depths and have a constant temperature of more than +7 °C.

Through the use of a centrifugal pump, subsurface waters from the well rise and enter the heat-mass-combination station, which transfers energy to the antifreeze in the lower TN contour. The depth of groundwater and the well’s removal from the station affect the heat pump’s efficiency.

There are several limitations on the use of the "water-water" principle that organizes heating and hot water supply. These include:

• the need to arrange a drainage well for waste water;
• absence or significant depth of groundwater;
• instability of the debit of the well;
• the need to take into account the pollution and salt composition of the water in order to avoid clogging of the heat exchanger.

The following requirements must be met by fear water: its total chloride content cannot exceed 300 mg/l, and its iron and magnesium contents must be less than 0.5 mg/l. There should be nothing at all in the precipitate that falls. Installing desalination and water treatment facilities is necessary if the allowable concentrations are exceeded.

In the event that a river or other reservoir is close by, installing water-water systems makes sense. The only contour that allows for the heating device to function is a looped one, and water should be the only coolant used.

Heat exchanger "Water – Water"

Your comfort level and your energy costs can be greatly impacted by selecting the ideal heat pump for your house. There are various kinds to take into account, and each has pros and cons of its own.

To begin with, air-source heat pumps bring heat into your house by drawing it from the outside air. They are a popular option for many homeowners because they are affordable and comparatively simple to install. But in very cold climates, they might find it difficult to stay effective, which would lessen their usefulness in the winter.

Conversely, ground-source heat pumps use your home’s constant ground temperature to provide heat or cooling. Even though they are typically more cost-effective initially, they frequently need more involved installation than air-source pumps. In the long run, though, their reliable performance in all weather conditions can make them an investment well worth making.

Water-source heat pumps are an additional choice; they draw heat from a water source, like a well or pond. These pumps are especially good for houses close to bodies of water because they can be very efficient. They can, however, require difficult installation procedures and may not be practical in all settings.

Hybrid heat pumps offer versatility and energy savings by fusing the features of heat pumps and traditional heating systems. With their ability to switch between various energy sources according to cost and efficiency, they can offer year-round optimal performance. For many homeowners, they may be a sensible option even though they may need a larger initial investment due to the potential savings on energy bills.

In conclusion, a variety of factors, including climate, financial constraints, and available resources, influence the choice of heat pump. Knowing the benefits and drawbacks of each kind will enable you to make an informed choice that meets your unique requirements. Whether you choose a hybrid, ground-source, water-source, air-source, or ground-source heat pump, making an investment in energy-efficient insulation and heating is crucial to creating a cozy and sustainable home.

Video on the topic

TOP-5 reasons do not put a thermal pump! I heating the house with a heat pump

How to choose a heat pump? | All you need to know about thermal pumps | Types of heat pumps

🌕 Don"t even bother the heat pump until you look at this epic video! Myths, legends…

Is the heat pump so good as it seems?

4 winters with a heat pump air – water.