Heat pump systems: what they are, how they work, and how they can save you money

Everyone's talking about heat pump systems at the moment, but the explanations tend to be full of technical terms and complex jargon. What exactly is a heat pump system, and how does it work? In this article, we answer everything you’ve ever wanted to know about this climate control solution, in a clear and straightforward manner: from the available types to why they are an efficient choice that helps you save month after month.after month. 

What is heat pump technology?

Heat pump systems are a climate control technology that harnesses thermal energy from the air to provide heating, air conditioning, and domestic hot water in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. This system offers both heating and air conditioning, adapting efficiently to almost any climate.

One of the major benefits of heat pump systems is their positive impact on the environment. Unlike gas or oil boilers, which burn fossil fuels to generate heat, heat pump systems use the renewable energy found naturally in the air. This not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions, but also decreases reliance on fossil fuels.

Heat pump systems are highly energy-efficient. They can generate up to three times more energy than they consume, making them a very cost-effective option over the long term. They are quiet, versatile, and easy to install and maintain. 

How does a heat pump system work?

Heat pump systems consist of an outdoor unit and one or more indoor units. The outdoor unit, also known as a heat pump, extracts energy from the outside air, even in extremely cold conditions. This energy is transferred to a refrigerant fluid, which is then compressed to increase its temperature. The heat is then distributed inside the building via the indoor units.

To understand the workings of heat pump systems in more detail, let's take the example of an air-to-water heat pump system such as Daikin Altherma.

The refrigeration cycle begins when the heat pump system extracts heat from an energy source such as the air. This energy is absorbed by a refrigerant fluid, allowing it to change state easily and transfer heat from one place to another. 

Once the refrigerant has absorbed the heat, it circulates through a condenser coil where it evaporates, turning into gas. In this state, the gas is compressed by a compressor, which raises its temperature even further. This additional heat is transferred to the heat pump system's water circuit, heating the water circulating through the pipes in the property. In turn, this hot water can heat the home's radiators and supply domestic hot water for the kitchen and bathroom.

Heat pump systems aren't just for heating; they can also provide cooling. This is achieved by reversing the refrigeration cycle. The heat pump system extracts heat from within the property and transfers it outdoors. This means that, instead of introducing heat into the property, it is extracted to create a cooler environment.

The pros and cons of heat pump systems 

Now that we've explained how heat pump systems work, let's explore why this climate control system has recently become such a popular topic. And indeed, among its strengths we find that: 

• It's a clean, safe energy source: heat pump systems use air –a renewable and inexhaustible resource– as an energy source. This contrasts with fossil fuels, which are finite and potentially harmful to the environment.

• It helps us save energy: this system relies minimally on the electricity grid, as it extracts most of its energy directly from the air. This results in big savings in electricity consumption. What's more, Daikin Altherma is compatible with solar installations, allowing for zero consumption (yes, free of charge).  

• It offers superior energy efficiency: heat pump systems are highly efficient in their use of electricity. For every unit of electricity they consume, they can generate several units of heat, making them much more efficient than traditional heating systems.

• It's an ultraquiet solution: the indoor unit has a very low noise level, making it more comfortable for use in residential or office environments.

What are the drawbacks of heat pump systems?

• They require a significant initial investment, although this is recouped within just a few years. In the long term, it's a very cost-effective option.  

• An outdoor space is needed to install the outdoor unit and, in the case of air-to-water heat pump systems, also for the indoor water cylinder. 

What types are there?

Before discussing how to choose a heat pump system, it is important to consider several key factors. What is the annual climate like in your area? What extreme temperatures are experienced in both winter and summer? 

If temperatures rarely drop below freezing, a heat pump system could be an excellent option. In colder climates, you might opt to combine a central heating boiler with a heat pump system to generate heat efficiently. 

Similarly, it's important to consider the size of the space you want to heat or cool, as this will also influence your decision.  

While there may be other options, the most common choice lies between the following types of heat pump systems: 

• Air-to-water heat pump system: How does this type of heat pump system work? It extracts heat from the outside air to heat water, which is then used to heat emitters, such as radiators, and provide hot water for domestic use, such as the kitchen and bathroom. 

• Air-to-air heat pump system: transfers heat from the outside air to your home's indoor air, allowing you to heat or cool various rooms as needed.

Ground source heat pump system: works by transferring heat between your home’s air and the ground, taking advantage of the stable underground temperature to provide efficient heating or cooling.

How much can be saved? How much does electricity with a heat pump system cost?

According to the European Statistical Office (Eurostat), 62.8% of a household’s energy consumption goes towards heating. This figure could be much lower if more efficient and sustainable options, such as heat pump systems, are chosen.

A key benefit of heat pump climate control systems is their ability to deliver more usable energy than they require to operate. In other words, they achieve much more for much less. Under normal conditions, they generate 4 kW of heat for every kW used.

So, how much energy does a heat pump system consume? Barely 25% of the total energy produced. As we saw in the section on how heat pump systems work, the remaining 75% comes from the air, free of charge. This is the energy that the heat pump system extracts from the outdoor air. As a result, the energy performance of a heat pump system is typically 300% to 400%. 

Moreover, consumption can be further reduced by combining the heat pump with a photovoltaic solar energy system. If we were to generate the electricity ourselves, our climate control system could potentially operate almost for free. 

How much does a heat pump system cost?

It is true that initial investment today is higher than for a conventional boiler, as these are technically more complex systems. However, when acquiring this type of system, it is important to factor in amortisation. Energy bills typically decrease drastically from the first day heat pump technology is installed in a home. This can result in annual savings of more than 50%, with the initial investment paid back in about four years.

Where doe the heat pump unit go?

A heat pump system is feasible in any type of property, both in new builds or when retrofitting. Typically, this system includes an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. But Daikin also offers the option of installing Monobloc units, which are more compact and have a single outdoor unit and an indoor water tank.

Preguntas frecuentes

¿Quién puede asesorarme sobre el equipo ideal?

Un instalador certificado de Daikin puede ayudarte a elegir el sistema que mejor se adapta a tu vivienda. También puedes usar el navegador de soluciones Daikin.

¿Se puede usar con radiadores?

Sí. La aerotermia es compatible con radiadores existentes. Para ello se utilizan equipos de alta temperatura o híbridos.

¿Puede refrigerar mi vivienda?

Sí. Si tu sistema es reversible y cuentas con emisores adecuados (fan coils o suelo refrescante), puedes usar la aerotermia también como aire acondicionado.

¿Qué significan COP y SCOP?

• COP indica la eficiencia en un momento puntual.
• SCOP indica la eficiencia estacional media. Cuanto mayor el SCOP, mayor el ahorro anual.

¿Cuánto se tarda en instalar?

Depende del tipo de vivienda (nueva o reforma), del sistema elegido (Split, Monobloc, etc.) y de si hay que sustituir emisores. Normalmente, entre 1 y 4 días.

¿Cuánto ruido genera?

Las unidades interiores están por debajo de los 30 dBA. Las exteriores, entre 40 y 60 dBA según el modelo.

¿Qué mantenimiento requiere?

Revisión anual recomendada. Limpieza de filtros, comprobación de presiones y del gas refrigerante (R32). Stand By Me de Daikin ofrece paquetes de mantenimiento adaptados.

Si quieres mejorar la eficiencia de tu hogar, reducir tus emisiones y ahorrar en tu factura energética, la aerotermia es una de las mejores opciones disponibles hoy en día. Consulta a un instalador autorizado Daikin y descubre qué sistema se adapta mejor a ti.