Attention homeowners; It’s time to choose heat pumps for homes in Ontario! Heat Pumps can handle 100% of your heating, cooling, and hot water needs. If you’re wondering which is the best option: Air Source or Ground Source, you’re not alone. This is a very common question! Both have pros and cons, but one may better fit your specific needs.
In this blog post, we discuss the differences between Air Source and Ground Source heat pumps so that you can make an informed decision about which is best for you. Evolved Thermal Energy helps homeowners make the right decision, qualify your home to learn more about a heat pump for your home.
Air Source Heat Pumps
Air Source Heat Pumps use the air outside as its source of energy, and works by extracting heat from the air and transferring it inside. Air source heat pumps are an efficient way to keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer, but as you might imagine their performance can be affected by extreme temperatures – so if you live in a particularly cold or hot climate this may not be the ideal option for you. Air source heat pumps are also relatively low cost compared to ground source heat pumps, but as we all know cost usually correlates to value. The best day in the life of an Air Source Heat Pump is the day it’s installed. Every day beyond this, the system will be degrading in performance and value delivered. So, if you need something quick and comparatively low cost – this may be the system for you.
Ground Source Heat Pumps (Geothermal)
Ground Source Heat Pumps (also known as geothermal systems) use underground pipes that transfer energy from inside your house to a loop buried a few feet beneath the surface. Ground source systems have a higher upfront cost than Air Source units but they tend to have higher efficiencies in both heating and cooling mode. Ground source heat pumps can provide significantly lower utilities costs over the long run, so they may be a better choice if you are looking to save money over time. Think of the ground loop as your own personal utility infrastructure, that will always be there, insulating you from energy cost fluctuations due to global commodity markets. Geothermal energy is hyper-local energy, generated and available for consumption on site, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Pro’s & Con’s of Air Source vs Ground Source
Ultimately, Air Source Heat Pumps and Ground Source Heat Pumps each have their own pros and cons – it’s up to you to decide which is best for your home. Working with the professionals at Evolved Thermal Energy and completing a Heat Pump Consultation, can help you make the right decision.
In general, Air Source Heat Pumps require less investment upfront but may not deliver as much in terms of efficiency or long-term savings when compared to Ground Source Heat Pumps. Consider the climate you live in and the type of performance you’re looking for when making your choice. Remember, a Heat Pump is just a mechanical device, much like a car, it depreciates with time. A Ground Loop is infrastructure, free energy always appreciates.
Consulting a professional such as Evolved Thermal Energy can help you determine which Heat Pump is best for your home, so book a free consultation today!
Evolved Thermal Energy Qualified Contractor Network
Whether your home has ductwork or a radiant/hydronic system, if you’d like to explore converting your home heating and cooling systems to an electrified system with a Heat Pump, Evolved Thermal Energy is the place to start! Qualify your home to get started today! As an added bonus, the Canada Greener Homes Program currently provides up to $6500 in Rebates, and access to a $40,000, 0% interest loan. There’s never been a better time to retrofit your heating system to a heat pump from Evolved Thermal Energy.
