Aerothermal energy is one of the most efficient climate control systems for almost any home, which is why it is increasingly used for heating, cooling and domestic hot water thanks to its high efficiency and compatibility with renewable energy. However, before installing this system, it is normal to wonder what the real advantages and disadvantages of aerothermal energy are, because although it is a very efficient technology, it is not always the perfect solution for every case.
Aerothermal energy works through an air to water heat pump that extracts energy from the outside air to generate heat in winter, cooling in summer and hot water all year round. This process makes it possible to produce more thermal energy than the electricity consumed, which explains its high efficiency. Even so, like any energy system, it has strengths and some aspects that should be taken into account before making the investment, so let us look at everything in detail.
Advantages of aerothermal energy
The advantages of aerothermal energy are the main reason why this system is growing so much in the residential sector. Its efficiency, sustainability and versatility make it a very interesting alternative to traditional systems such as gas or oil boilers. Below we review its most important benefits.
High energy efficiency
One of the greatest advantages of aerothermal energy is its efficiency. Aerothermal heat pumps can reach coefficients of performance of 3 to 5, which means that for every kWh of electricity consumed they can generate between 3 and 5 kWh of thermal energy, achieving lower energy consumption than other heating systems.
Lower electricity consumption
Thanks to its high performance, aerothermal energy allows a significant reduction in a home’s energy consumption. Compared with traditional systems, energy savings can be approximately:
- 30 % to 50 % compared with gas boilers
- Up to 70 % compared with direct electric systems
Three in one system heating cooling and hot water
Another major advantage of aerothermal energy is that it can cover three energy needs with a single system, including heating in winter, cooling in summer and domestic hot water all year round. This simplifies home installations and avoids the need for several independent systems.
Renewable and sustainable energy
Aerothermal energy is considered a renewable energy source because it uses thermal energy from the outside air. According to European regulations, approximately 70% of the energy generated by a heat pump comes from the air, which is a renewable and inexhaustible source, allowing CO2 emissions to be significantly reduced compared with systems based on fossil fuels.
Compatible with solar panels
Aerothermal energy combines very well with a properly sized solar panel installation, since as it operates using electricity, it can take advantage of the energy generated by solar panels to power the system, which allows energy costs to be reduced even further.
In fact, many modern homes opt for the combination of solar panels and aerothermal energy to maximise the energy efficiency of the home.
Low maintenance
Another positive point is that aerothermal systems require less maintenance than other heating systems. Unlike gas or oil boilers:
- There is no combustion
- No fumes are generated
- No fuel residues
All of this reduces mandatory servicing and maintenance costs, which is definitely a plus.
Greater safety
By not using fossil fuels or combustion processes, aerothermal energy eliminates risks associated with gas leaks, carbon monoxide emissions and explosions or fires related to fuels. For this reason, it is considered a very safe climate control system for the home.
Long service life
Aerothermal heat pumps usually have an estimated service life of 15 to 25 years, or even more if properly maintained.
Disadvantages of aerothermal energy
Although the advantages of aerothermal energy are numerous, there are also some disadvantages that should be considered before installing this system.
High initial investment
The main disadvantage is usually the installation cost, which can be approximately between 10,000 and 16,000 euros, depending on:
- The size of the home
- The emission system such as underfloor heating, radiators or fan coils
- The components of the system
Although this investment is recovered through energy savings, it can be an initial barrier for some households. Here you can find more details on how much it costs to install aerothermal energy.
Higher efficiency with underfloor heating
Aerothermal energy works best with low temperature systems such as underfloor heating. If the home has traditional radiators designed for high temperatures, it may be necessary to replace them or install low temperature emitters, which can increase installation costs.
Dependence on electricity
Although the system is very efficient, it still requires electricity to operate, which means that operating costs depend partly on the price of electricity. However, this disadvantage can be reduced if the system is combined with solar photovoltaic energy.
Lower performance in extremely cold climates
Aerothermal energy extracts energy from the outside air, so its performance may decrease when outdoor temperatures are extremely low. However, it still works without problems, as modern equipment is designed to operate even in sub zero temperatures.
Need for space for the outdoor unit and noise
Aerothermal installations include an outdoor unit similar to that of air conditioning systems, and therefore require space in a courtyard, terrace, garden or at least on the façade. For this reason, in homes with limited space it may be more difficult to install the system, although it is usually possible thanks to façade mounting.
On the other hand, although current equipment is quite quiet, the outdoor unit may generate a certain level of noise, usually between 40 and 60 decibels, similar to the sound of an air conditioning unit, so it is important to place it in a suitable location to avoid inconvenience.
So when is it worth installing aerothermal energy?
After analysing all the advantages and disadvantages of aerothermal energy, you may wonder whether it is worth installing this system. It is especially cost effective in the following cases:
- New build homes. Modern houses are usually designed with good thermal insulation, underfloor heating systems and efficient energy installations, which allows the performance of aerothermal energy to be maximised.
- Full renovations. When a complete renovation is carried out, it is easier to adapt the climate control system to install aerothermal energy, and elements such as underfloor heating, low temperature radiators or fan coils can be integrated.
- Homes with high energy consumption. The higher the energy consumption of a home, the greater the potential savings that aerothermal energy can offer, which basically means you recover the investment sooner.
- Aerothermal energy installation combined with solar panels remains one of the most efficient energy solutions for the home. Solar panels can generate part of the electricity consumed by the system, reducing energy costs even further.
In short, although there are some disadvantages to aerothermal energy, its benefits in energy efficiency, sustainability and long term savings mean that more and more homes are choosing this system.
If it is installed correctly and adapted well to the characteristics of the home, aerothermal energy can become one of the most efficient and sustainable climate control solutions currently available.
