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An air source heat pump is a type of heat pump which use the outside air as a heat source or heat sink to heat or cool an interior space. Air-source heat pumps are more efficient than oil, gas, and electric resistance heating in mild climates while they are less efficient than ground-source heat pumps. However, they are less costly to install than ground source heat pumps and therefore have become more widespread in use. So widespread, in fact, that the term "heat pump" is often used to refer by default to air source heat pumps, and the term "air source heat pump" is used mostly to distinguish from ground source heat pumps.
A heat pump transfers energy in the form of heat from a cooler location to a warmer location. A heat pump uses the refrigeration process and transfers low temperature energy to a refrigeration loop, compresses the refrigerant to a high temperature, and transfers this heat to the hot water and heating distribution system, or, in the summer, removes it from the home.
Systems normally range from a single 4kW unit to multiple units with a single controller producing around 300kW. Domestic hot water storage can also be provided. |
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