Geothermal Heating Versus Air to Water Heating
What is a Geothermal Heat Pump (GSHP)?
Geothermal heating involves using geothermal energy in order to heat domestic and commercial properties. Geothermal energy refers to energy which is generated and stored within the Earth's matter.
Can One System Heat, Cool and Provide Hot Water Supply?
Yes – a Geothermal Heat Pump can provide both heating and cooling functionalities, along with providing a low cost, hot water supply all year round. Users can simply switch between hot and cold cooling with the flick of a switch on an indoor thermostat.
How Will the Heat Pump Heat my Water?
GSHPS use what is known as a desuperheater in order to turn wasted heat into energy which heats your hot water supply. For example, during the summer months, while you most likely use the cooling functionality, hot water is produced as a byproduct of this process. Desuperheaters are standard on some units, while they are classed as an additional extra on others. Standalone systems will heat your water supply all year round and most definitely reap back the initial investment very quickly.
What are the Disadvantages of a Geothermal Heating System
- Lengthy installation process - underground digging
- Costly installation
- High electricial running costs
How Does an Air to Water Heat Pump Work?
Air to water heat pumps work by extracting energy from the sun and using its power to convert hot air into water. Coolwex Orca heat pump systems can produce up to 5 times the amount of renewable energy that is required to power them. This gives air to water heat pumps 300% to 400% efficiency rating. Approximately 4 kWh of heating energy is produced for every 1kWh of electricity used.
Advantages of an Air to Water Heat Pump
- Reduced Operational Costs
- Reduced Noise
- Environmentally Friendly
- Energy Efficient
- Investment Payback in 3 Years
- Drier homes & reduced condensation
- Hot water supply all year round
How Much Does a Heat Pump Cost?
The initial investment made on purchasing and installing a heat pump system in Ireland can vary depending on your requirements, the specifications of the unit and where it will be positioned. This investment can seem costly at first, however, when you consider the operating costs relating to cooling, heating and heating water; the energy savings quickly offset the original purchase price. On average, investments in heat pump systems are recouped within a period of 3 years. For more details on these costs, feel free to get in touch with us by calling 086 8517 555.
Find Out More about Air Source Heat Pumps
If you would like to find out more about installing a heat pump, we recommend reading some of our heat pump blogs by clicking on our news page.