Air-source heat pump: is there a catch? Comparison with ground-source?

Question

We're looking at eco-friendly heating (central heating & hot water) for our home. We plan to use a solar panel, but given variable weather in the UK will also need another source. A heat pump looks very attractive, especially if used with carbon-free electricity, which we have.

Is there any reason that this isn't a good solution?

Are there any disadvantages compared to ground source heat pumps?

Answer 1

Yes they are a nightmare

Answer 2

We live on Vancouver Island on the west coast of British Columbia, Canada.  We had a house built for us and moved in September 2006.  At the time of construction we decided to have an air source heat pump installed and love it.  Gives us heat during the winter and with the pushing of a button gives us air conditioning in the summer.  It is very environmentally friendly friendly and extremely efficient to operate and relatively inexpensive as compared to other heat sources.  They are costly but the claim is that here at least, you will re-gain your investment in five years due to money saved on heating bills.

Answer 3

Ground is more expensive and the installers in my area have had problems with the heat transfer liquid.   Air source is cheaper yet noisier and less efficient.

Answer 4

As others have pointed out, air source will require more electricity to run than a ground source. If the temperature regularly gets below 0 C in your area, I would definitely go with the ground source over the air source. At those temperatures, the air source will be ineffective and require the use of electric resistive heating strips to maintain the indoor temperature. The ground source would likely keep on humming just fine though.

Answer 5

Air source heat pumps will usually require more energy to accomplish the same heating/cooling of your house.  This is because the heat source, when in heating mode, will usually be cooler and the heat sink, when in cooling mode, will usually be hotter.

Answer 6

yes its the seasonal variation in the source that is the problem. ground stays around 10-12 degrees below a few metres, air can drop to below freezing.

you can get a borehole dug, loads less hassle than laying horizontal coils and temp. stays very constant.