What is meant by air-to-air heat pump?
There are different types of heat pumps, the air-to-air one takes thermal energy from the outside air and transfers it to the inside rooms, always in the form of air. For example, air conditioners are often heat pumps, as they perform the dual function of cooling and heating.
How does the air-to-air heat pump work?
The main advantage of the heat pump, in terms of consumption and respect for the environment, lies in the fact that it uses a natural source - air, water or soil - to draw thermal energy and cool or heat. The heat pump, therefore, does not produce heat, but transfers it from one part to another using electricity.
In particular, the air-to-air heat pump consists of an outdoor unit and one or more splits which are placed in the rooms. The operating cycle is as simple as it is effective. When we are in heating mode, in the outdoor unit a convector fluid is brought to a very low temperature, so as to absorb heat from the outside, and is transformed into gas by the evaporator. The gas reaches the compressor, which increases its pressure, generating an increase in temperature. Now the heated fluid reaches the condenser, from which the heat spreads throughout the rooms by means of the splits.
If we are in cooling mode, the behavior is exactly the reverse: The fluid absorbs the heat from the inside and releases it outside, thus reducing the internal temperature.
Where to install the air-to-air heat pump?
As we have seen, the air-to-air heat pump consists of an outdoor unit and one or more indoor splits. The two systems must be connected, so when deciding where to install one or the other, it is necessary to evaluate the distances and the simplicity of connection.
In particular, the outdoor unit must be installed in an easy to reach point, to carry out the necessary maintenance. Usually you choose to place it on the ground on the balcony/terrace, or on the wall on the facade. The important thing is that there is the possibility of discharging the condensate. It is advisable to avoid direct exposure to sunlight or closed and small places, which do not allow for good ventilation. Finally, the noise produced must be considered, which is amplified in small rooms.
What are the advantages of a heat pump?
Air-to-air heat pumps are increasingly popular for heating and cooling environments, let's see the main advantages they guarantee us.
Simple installation and use
The installation of an air-to-air heat pump requires a limited number of structural modifications, ad hoc rooms are not required, nor the presence of a chimney.
Moreover, having a single system for heating and cooling reduces the space occupied in the house.
Environmental sustainability
The main energy source is air, without fossil fuels, and therefore, theenvironmental impact of an air-to-air heat pump is contained. The annual CO2 saving for an air-to-air heat pump is -251 kg.
Economic savings
On average, an air-to-air heat pump allows 45% savings compared to gas heating costs. If associated with a photovoltaic system, the savings on bills increase, in fact, by self-producing the electricity needed to operate the pump, heating and cooling costs are further reduced.
Furthermore, if the envisaged requisites are met, it is possible to benefit from state incentives which can be 50% in the case of restructuring (art. 16-bis Presidential Decree 917/86), 65% in case of energy requalification (art. 14 DL 63/2013) or 110% if you fall within the parameters of the so-called superbonus (art. 119 DL 34/2020).
