First of all, it is important to conceptualize the air source heat pump, being a type of heat pump that absorbs heat from a colder place and releases it to a warmer place using the same vapor compression refrigeration process and the same heat exchanger. external heat with fan used by an air conditioner.

To be clear, it is different from an air conditioner, however, it is capable of heating and cooling buildings and, in some cases, also providing domestic hot water.

Air-to-air heat pumps are simpler devices and deliver hot or cold air directly to one or two interior spaces.

In contrast, air/water heat pumps use radiators and/or underfloor heating to heat or cool the entire house and are often used to provide domestic hot water as well. When correctly specified, they can offer a complete central heating and domestic hot water solution up to 80°C (176°F).

They are commonly used to provide indoor heating and cooling, even in colder climates, and can be used efficiently for water heating in milder climates.

A big advantage of some ASHPs is that the same system can be used for heating in winter and cooling in summer. Although the installation cost is generally high, it is less than the cost of an underground source heat pump, because an underground source heat pump requires excavation to install its ground loop.

Another advantage of an underground source heat pump is that it has access to the thermal storage capacity of the ground which allows it to produce more heat with less electricity in cold conditions.

Finally, heat pumps with backup systems other than electric resistance heating are often encouraged by electric utilities, air source heat pumps are a concern for peak winter utilities if electric resistance heating is to be used. Used as a supplemental or replacement heat source when the temperature drops below the point that the heat pump can meet all the heat requirements of the house.