Heat Pump Technologies Explained
Heat pump technologies are often confused in the industry, this graphic clarifies their differences and efficiency levels, highlighting the benefits. While all these systems are capable of providing space heating, cooling and domestic hot water, they each have unique advantages.
Fig. 1: Venn diagram showing the differences between heat pump technologies
A major distinction is in the installation process; air source heat pumps can cause significantly less site disruption than ground source systems, as they don’t require drilling on-site during installation; however, this is counteracted by their acoustic issues and them usually being visually intrusive. Erda’s geo-exchange technology, which is similar to ground source, allows the site to continue normal operation during installation, thanks to our borehole technology Erda | deep™ and experienced drillers. Geo-exchange systems aim to offer the highest return on investment out of the three, especially over a longer time frame, our systems prove this by offering the same heating output with fewer boreholes installed.
Another important consideration for heat pumps is their lifespan. There are so many factors around the longevity of heat pumps meaning it’s difficult to find a definite figure but a good estimate for each is air source heat pumps generally last around 10-20 years, while ground source systems in excess of 25 years. The increased efficiency of ground source heat pumps, particularly in colder months, combined with their extended durability, makes them an appealing long-term solution. Moreover, with Erda’s aftercare package, our geo-exchange systems not only match but can feasibly exceed the lifespan of traditional options, ensuring that, with proper maintenance and strategic planning, they deliver even greater value over time.