Air-to-air heat pumps
Air-to-air heat pumps operate similarly to the more common air-to-water heat pumps, which are a type of air source heat pump. However, instead of heating water for radiators or underfloor systems, air-to-air models distribute warm air directly into the building.
These systems are sometimes referred to as air conditioning units. While most people associate air conditioning with cooling, many of these systems also provide heating.
It’s worth noting that air-to-air heat pumps typically don’t supply hot water for taps or showers. However, there are several other options available to meet your hot water needs.
Here’s what you should know to determine if they’re a good fit for your home.
How do air-to-air heat pumps work?
In the UK, most homes use ‘wet’ central heating—radiators filled with hot water. Air-to-air heat pumps offer an alternative by not relying on water-based systems at all.
These systems usually consist of an outdoor unit and at least one indoor unit, connected by refrigerant-filled pipes. The indoor unit is typically mounted high on a wall, close to the external unit to minimize the amount of interior pipework required.
A single outdoor unit can support multiple indoor units, although this setup will need additional piping. These pipes are generally housed in slim plastic channels running near the ceiling.
The configuration is similar to traditional air conditioning systems used in warmer countries, and the units can often be switched between heating and cooling modes.