Air source and ground source heat pumps are similar in some ways, yet very different in others. 

Both systems work by absorbing heat from renewable sources and compressing this heat into a higher temperature for heating and hot water in your home. In this blog, we discuss the differences in both technologies to allow you to decide which option may be best for your home. 

What is an air source heat pump? 

An air source heat pump absorbs heat from the air around us and transfers that heat to the inside of your home to use for hot water or heating. Air source heat pumps work at a lower internal temperature than a standard boiler, so your radiators will not feel as warm to the touch because they are more efficient and simply do not need to be as hot. Air source heat pumps provide gentle heating over extended periods rather than quick boosts of heat-on-demand like a standard boiler system. 

What is a ground source heat pump? 

A ground source heat pump works by transferring heat from deep in the ground outside your home to use inside your home for hot water or heating. 

Key differences

Efficiency 

A key consideration for homeowners is the efficiency of the heating system they install. When it comes to air and ground source heat pumps in the UK, it is arguable that ground source heat pumps are more effective. Air source heat pumps use heat energy from the air to ‘pump’ higher temperature heat into your home – therefore air source heat pump efficiency varies across the seasons and time of day. Ground source heat pumps, on the other hand, are more efficient because the ground can maintain temperatures of 10-12 degrees all year round, which is significantly warmer than the average air temperature in the UK's winter months. This means there are fewer unexpected spikes in electricity usage for ground source heat pumps because they don’t have to work as hard to upgrade the source’s energy into usable heat. 

Cost 

Typically, air source heat pumps are cheaper than ground source heating systems as you only have to pay for the unit itself, whereas ground source comes with the additional cost of groundwork and ground arrays. Despite this, air source heat pumps are not as effective, and homeowners may spend more on electricity to bring colder air up to temperature compared with a ground source alternative. Therefore whilst air source heat pumps are cheaper in the short term, ground source heat pumps are often the most cost-effective and carbon-efficient option on the market over the product lifetime. 

Installation and planning permission 

Whilst air source heat pumps are the cheaper alternative and relatively simple to fit outside of the property, they often require planning permission due to the level of noise they produce and therefore are not recommended in high-density areas. Ground source heat pumps, on the other hand, do not require planning permission and are usually installed by a specialist subcontractor with minimal disruption. 

In summary, both solutions do a very similar job, and whilst air source pumps may be your cheaper alternative, they come with larger obstructions and additional costs. Therefore, if you are looking for minimal disruption and high efficiency – ground source heat pumps could be the solution for you. 

At Arc Design Services, we specialise in architectural design, dedicated to offering a fresh and exciting approach to every project. With this in mind, Arc Design Services can help you get the most out of whichever option you decide on as part of your renovation, extension, or new home design. Contact our experts today at Arc Design Services at www.arcdesignservices.net or 0161 928 4433.

Air source and group source heat pumps are very similar yet very different – both sources work by absorbing heat from renewable sources and compressing this heat into a higher temperature for heating and hot water in your home. In this week’s blog, we discuss the differences in both technologies to allow you to decide which option may be best for your home.