What are the different types of heat pump?

Aerothermal Heat Pumps

The aerothermal heat pump is one of the most common and accessible types available on the market. It utilizes the air as an energy source to produce heat.

There are two main subtypes of aerothermal heat pumps: air-to-air heat pumps and air-to-water heat pumps.

Air-to-Air Heat Pump: The air-to-air heat pump captures heat from the outdoor air and distributes it inside your dwelling through a ventilation system. It is typically used for heating living spaces and often serves as an air conditioner.

Air-to-Water Heat Pump: The air-to-water heat pump, on the other hand, harnesses the heat from outdoor air to warm water, which can then be used for heating radiators, underfloor heating, or the production of domestic hot water. Explore the range of air-to-water heat pumps by intuis.

Choosing the Right Heat Pump for Your Home

The air-to-water heat pump provides an efficient and comfortable heating solution for living spaces and can also produce hot water. It's an ideal replacement for a boiler. However, for those on smaller budgets, air-to-air heat pumps can be installed, though they offer less comfort. Air-to-air heat pumps are less comfortable because they deliver hot air through forced airflow rather than gradual diffusion. They are also less environmentally friendly as they tend to be more polluting.

If you have access to a nearby water source, the hydrothermal heat pump can be an excellent option. It offers consistent performance throughout the year and is less dependent on climate variations. However, its installation can be more complex and requires a higher initial investment.

Lastly, if you're looking for a sustainable and highly energy-efficient heating solution, consider the geothermal heat pump. Although it requires a more complex installation and a larger upfront investment, it delivers high performance and greater energy self-sufficiency. It is particularly well-suited for regions with colder winter temperatures.

There are also increasing numbers of eco-districts with water loop systems, which are highly beneficial for heating and cooling applications.

With a Heat Pump: Radiators or Underfloor Heating?

There are different types of heat emitters:

• High-temperature radiators (>65°C) typically used with gas and oil boilers.
• Medium-temperature radiators (55-65°C).
• Low-temperature radiators (50-55°C).
• Fan coil units (45-50°C).
• Underfloor/Ceiling heating (30-35°C).

These emitters operate at different water temperature ranges. The lower the temperature at which the heat generator operates, the better its efficiency. Emitters that function at lower temperatures generally provide higher comfort levels. However, it's worth noting that the air distribution with fan coil units may be less comfortable as air is blown or forced out.

A heat pump that can produce high-temperature output can also provide medium or low-temperature heat. The reverse is not true. The more versatile a heat pump is in delivering high-temperature output, the better it performs at lower temperature settings.

The advantage of a high-temperature heat pump is that it can be installed in older systems as a direct replacement for the existing heat generator. However, it is recommended to improve insulation and prioritize low-temperature emitters to enhance comfort and thermal performance.