Comparison between Air Source Heat Pump and Ground Source Heat Pump

In order to intuitively show the similarities and differences between air source heat pump and ground source heat pump, and help readers better understand these two heat pump systems, this article will explain them to you.

 

Similarities

1. Working principle

Air source heat pump absorbs or releases heat from the air through heat pump circulation

Ground source heat pump absorbs or releases heat from the ground through heat pump circulation

 

2. Function

Air source heat pump: cooling, heating, hot water supply

Ground source heat pump: cooling, heating, hot water supply

 

3. Environmental protection

Air source heat pump: no direct emission, environmental protection

Ground source heat pump: no direct emission, environmental protection

 

4. Energy efficiency ratio

Air source heat pump: higher (COP is generally 2.5-4)

Ground source heat pump: higher (COP is generally 3-6)

 

5. Applicable scenarios

Air source heat pump: home, commercial, industrial, etc.

Ground source heat pump: home, commercial, industrial, etc.

 

Differences

1. Heat source

Air source heat pump: air

Ground source heat pump: underground soil, groundwater or rock

 

2. Installation difficulty

Air source heat pump: simple, no need for complex geological exploration

Ground source heat pump: complex, requires geological exploration and underground pipeline laying

 

3. Initial cost

Air source heat pump: lower

Ground source heat pump: higher

 

4. Operation efficiency

Air source heat pump: greatly affected by the outside temperature, the efficiency decreases in low temperature environment

Ground source heat pump: constant underground temperature, stable efficiency

 

5. Occupied space

Air source heat pump: small space occupation, suitable for places with limited space

Ground source heat pump: requires a large underground space, suitable for places with sufficient land

 

6. Maintenance cost

Air source heat pump: lower

Ground source heat pump: higher

 

The similarities between air source heat pump and ground source heat pump are: efficient and energy-saving heat pump system, with the functions of cooling, heating and providing hot water, high environmental protection, and no direct emissions.

 

The difference between air source heat pump and ground source heat pump is: air source heat pump uses air, and ground source heat pump uses underground heat energy. Air source heat pump is simple to install and low cost; ground source heat pump is more complicated to install, and wells need to be dug, which is costly.