Heat pump vs air conditioning: what are the differences?

In the search for effective methods of heating or cooling a home, many of us face a difficult dilemma: should we choose an air conditioner or perhaps a heat pump? Both solutions provide indoor heating. It is worth noting that although an air conditioner can technically be classified as a type of air-to-air heat pump, there is a clear difference between a typical air conditioner and an air-to-water heat pump. So let’s take a closer look at these two solutions to understand them better. Let’s answer the question posed in the title – “Heat pump versus air conditioning: what are the differences?”.

The principle of air conditioning

The operating principle is based on the use of the refrigeration cycle, which involves several key stages:

1. The main mechanism of the air conditioner is its compressor, which circulates the refrigerant through the system. Before entering the compressor, the refrigerant is in the form of a low-pressure gas. During the compression process in the compressor, the gas is subjected to high pressure and is heated, after which it moves towards the condenser.
2. In the condenser, the compressed hot gas gives up heat to the surrounding air outside and transforms into a counter-cool high-pressure liquid.
3. The high-pressure liquid then passes through an expansion valve, which lowers its pressure, resulting in the temperature dropping below ambient, creating a cold liquid in an expanded state.
4. The expanded liquid then enters the evaporator where, through the process of evaporation, it absorbs heat from the ambient room air, turning back into a gaseous state. The gas then returns to the compressor, thus closing the cycle and starting it all over again.

Heat pump principle

Heat pumps use thermal energy extracted from an external, lower heat source such as ground, air or water. This process is carried out by means of a working fluid. For a heat pump to operate efficiently, three main components are required: the evaporator (outdoor unit), the condenser (indoor unit) and the appropriate refrigerant.

The basic idea of a heat pump is to exploit the properties of the refrigerant, which circulates in a closed circuit between two heat exchangers: an evaporator and a condenser.

1. The process starts by extracting energy from an available, renewable source such as air, water or soil. The evaporator then converts the refrigerant from a liquid to a gas.
2. Next, a compressor compresses this gas, which has the effect of raising its temperature.
3. In the next stage, the condenser transfers heat from the gaseous refrigerant to the heating system, at the same time causing it to return to its liquid state.
4. The expansion valve reduces the pressure of the refrigerant, resulting in its evaporation and the start of the next cycle.

In order to use a heat pump to cool a house, this process must be reversed, meaning that heat is removed from the inside of the building and discharged to the outside, resulting in a lower temperature inside.

Advantages of air conditioning

Let us now turn to the advantages of both solutions. Air conditioning offers a number of benefits for users, among which it is worth highlighting:

• Effective cooling: One of the greatest benefits of air conditioning is its ability to cool rooms quickly and efficiently, even on the hottest days, providing users with a comfortable indoor environment.
• Improved air quality: Many modern air conditioners are equipped with air filters that remove pollutants and allergens, improving indoor air quality and contributing to the well-being of users.
• Humidity control: Some advanced air conditioning systems have humidity control features, which is particularly useful in humid climates where maintaining adequate humidity levels can be crucial to comfort.
• Quiet operation: Modern air conditioners are designed to operate quietly, providing users with a peaceful environment, even during the hottest weather.
• Quick installation: Air conditioning can be relatively easy to install, especially in the case of split units, meaning they can be quickly adapted to existing HVAC systems.

Advantages of air-to-water heat pumps

Benefits of having a heat pump to consider when choosing a heating and cooling system:

• Energy efficiency: Heat pumps are considered one of the most efficient heating solutions as they use the renewable energy contained in the air, which can result in significant savings on energy bills.
• Versatility: Heat pumps can act as both heating and cooling systems, meaning they can keep users comfortable all year round, adapting to changing weather conditions.
• Long life: Heat pumps are typically robustly built and require relatively little maintenance, resulting in a long life and reliable system.
• Underfloor heating: Heat pumps work well with underfloor heating systems, allowing heat to be evenly distributed throughout the room and ensuring thermal comfort for users.
• Low CO2 emissions: Due to the use of renewable energy sources, air-to-water heat pumps generate significantly less CO2 than traditional heating systems based on fossil fuels, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect the environment.

When considering the advantages of both solutions, the individual needs and conditions of the building must be taken into account in order to select the system that best meets the users’ expectations and ensures thermal comfort for many years to come.

Heat pump vs. air conditioning – a comparison of solutions

What are the differences between a heat pump and air conditioning? Let’s start with an analysis of energy efficiency. Air-to-water heat pumps efficiently use ambient energy to both heat and cool rooms, resulting in significant savings in electricity costs. Importantly, they maintain high efficiency even at lower temperatures, reaching as low as -25°C, although it is worth noting that their efficiency may decrease slightly in the case of extremely low winter temperatures.

In contrast, air conditioners are more efficient at cooling, but their performance in heating mode is slightly lower. They perform admirably during the hot months, but in winter their heating capacity can be limited, leading to increased electricity consumption and, ultimately, higher electricity bills. This is a factor worth considering, especially when planning to use air conditioning as the main heating source in the home. Air conditioners with a heating function can be effective in moderate climatic conditions, but it should be remembered that their heating efficiency has its limitations. Most of these units operate efficiently up to a temperature of around -10°C. When the temperature drops below this, air conditioners can struggle to provide sufficient heat. This can result in the need for additional heating sources during the harsh winter months.

In terms of cost, installing air conditioners is usually cheaper than installing heat pumps. Upfront costs for air conditioners are lower and installation is simpler, making them an attractive choice for those on a tight budget. On the other hand, despite higher installation costs, heat pumps can save money in the long term due to their higher energy efficiency, leading to lower electricity bills.

Summary

Choosing between an air conditioner and an air-to-water heat pump is a decision that requires consideration of many factors. Both air conditioners and heat pumps have their own unique benefits and applications that can suit different user needs. Air conditioners offer effective cooling on hot days, improved air quality, humidity control and relatively simple installation, making them an attractive option for those looking for a quick and easy way to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. Air-to-water heat pumps, on the other hand, stand out for their higher energy efficiency, versatility of operation, long life and low CO2 emissions, making them an ideal solution for those looking for a more advanced and environmentally friendly heating and cooling system. Before making a final choice, it is advisable to carefully analyse individual needs, building conditions and available budgets in order to select the solution that best meets users’ expectations and ensures thermal comfort for many years to come.

Sources:

https://evolive.pl/uslugi/pompy-ciepla/

https://www.daikin.pl/pl_pl/Porady-Daikin/pompy-ciepla-a-klimatyzatory.html

https://www.daikin.pl/pl_pl/grupy-produktow/klimatyzacja/ururu-sarara.html

https://www.hitachiaircon.com/pl/aktualnosci/roznice-miedzy-klimatyzacja-a-pompa-ciepla-co-powinienem-wiedziec

https://budotom.pl/pompa-ciepla-powietrze-powietrze-a-klimatyzacja/

https://www.aleklima.pl/artykuly/jak-dziala-klimatyzacja;more=2113611023