As the heating market expands, demand for heating has spread across the country, and the use of underfloor heating is growing. Underfloor heating can be powered by electric boilers, gas boilers, or coal-fired boilers. With worsening pollution and rising energy costs, the adoption of eco-friendly, energy-efficient new energy equipment is imperative. Thus, air-source heat pumps/Heating And Cooling heat pump system for house have become the primary heating solution in the “coal-to-electricity” transition. Other new energy heating options include solar, ground-source, and water-source heat pumps.
Why has the air-source heat pump risen above the rest?
Air-Source Heat Pump/Heating And Cooling heat pump
An air-source heat pump/Heating And Cooling heat pump uses a small amount of electricity to drive a compressor that absorbs waste heat from the air. It also incorporates full DC inverter technology and enhanced vapor injection, delivering far higher energy efficiency than other heating equipment. The entire system runs on electricity and does not produce harmful gases or solid waste (such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, or coal cinders). The outdoor unit uses the environmentally friendly R410a refrigerant, which does not damage the ozone layer, making it highly eco-friendly. Indoor terminals can connect to fan coils, underfloor heating, or radiators, adapting to different environments for high comfort. The indoor section uses water as the heat transfer medium, which has a high specific heat capacity and good thermal stability; combined with China’s abundant electricity resources, the system operates very stably. The heat pump unit features reliable water–electricity separation, eliminating the risk of electric shock indoors and ensuring strong safety heat pump system for house. The outdoor unit is made of thick steel and equipped with a well-known brand compressor; the system also includes anti-scaling and anti-freezing additives. As a water-system heat source, it is highly versatile and easy to maintain and upgrade. With regular maintenance, its designed 15-year lifespan can be extended. Low-temperature air-source heat pumps can operate normally at -25°C, and some units can handle -30°C, making them suitable for most regions in China. The control system is highly intelligent, with automatic defrosting, automatic water replenishment, and automatic temperature control; it can also be connected to intelligent systems via a 485 interface for remote operation. Therefore, air-source heat pumps offer energy efficiency, environmental friendliness, comfort, stability, safety, long lifespan, wide applicability, and intelligent control.
Solar vs. Air-Source Heat Pump
Solar energy refers to the thermal energy absorbed and converted from sunlight, with the amount depending on the intensity and duration of illumination. Solar heating uses sunlight as the heat source, absorbing heat and transferring it to underfloor heating coils; it is a passive way of harvesting energy and can only generate heat when there is sunlight, relying on electric auxiliary heating at other times. In contrast, air-source heat pumps actively absorb heat from the air and can generate heat stably regardless of environmental conditions heat pump system for house.
In high-temperature, sunny environments, if the solar collector is designed and installed to provide sufficient heat, solar energy can reliably meet the needs of underfloor heating, with much lower electricity consumption than air-source heat pumps. However, in cold winter conditions with insufficient sunlight—short daylight hours and frequent wind and snow—solar heating is significantly affected. Without enough illumination, it cannot produce sufficient heat; moreover, solar thermal conversion efficiency is relatively low, so heating consumes more electricity. Compared with air-source heat pumps, solar heating is more affected by light conditions, has a narrower range of applications, and is less widely adopted.
Ground-Source Heat Pump vs. Air-Source Heat Pump
A ground-source heat pump uses thermal energy from the Earth’s surface, originating from the planet’s internal molten rock, and benefits from the underground’s year-round temperature stability (warmer in winter, cooler in summer). It utilizes shallow geothermal resources (generally less than 400 meters deep) as a cold/heat source to provide stable air-conditioning and underfloor heating for indoor spaces.
Compared with air-source heat pumps, ground-source heat pump systems are more complex, harder to install, and require higher initial investment. They also have strict installation conditions and need on-site assessment; typically, a large garden is required, making them suitable for large villas. In contrast, air-source heat pump systems are simpler and can be installed in all types of residences, even apartment buildings with elevators. In terms of initial investment and installation requirements, air-source heat pump heating is cheaper and easier to install.
Water-Source Heat Pump vs. Air-Source Heat Pump
A water-source heat pump uses the Earth’s stored water resources as energy, which retain solar and surface heat. The system converts this heat into the cold/heat needed for indoor air-conditioning and underfloor heating. Usable water sources include reservoirs, rivers, lakes, and the ocean heat pump system for house.
Compared with air-source heat pumps, water-source heat pumps are suitable for areas with abundant water resources but are affected by seasonal water-level drops and environmental protection measures. During winter’s dry season, the heat stored in the water is insufficient, which can lead to poor heating performance heat pump system for house, requiring electric auxiliary heating. Water-source heat pump systems are larger and consume more electricity. In terms of installation conditions, they have greater limitations in urban areas, while air-source heat pumps can be used in both rural and urban settings without being constrained by external conditions.
Conclusion
In the comparison between air-source heat pumps and solar, ground-source, and water-source heat pumps, air-source heat pumps demonstrate advantages such as high efficiency and energy saving, safety and stability, easy installation, and insensitivity to environmental factors, making them far ahead in the field of eco-friendly new energy heating equipment heat pump system for house. Riding the wave of the “coal-to-electricity” policy, they are favored by both centralized and individual heating users.
