The heat arrives and the usual thoughts begin in the head of every home owner. How can I combat it? In the same way that when the cold arrives, extreme temperatures can cause us headaches, since they can influence our quality of life.
Thanks to new technologies, many homes are equipped with modern air conditioning systems that allow us to spend the whole year in our house with mild and pleasant temperatures. Two of the most common air conditioning systems are aerothermal energy and air conditioning.
It is 100% certain that you have heard about air conditioning before, or even have one installed in your home. But do you know aerothermal energy? Have you heard about all its advantages? Next, we face aerothermal vs air conditioning and discover which is the best option to spend the summer (and the rest of the year). Keep reading!
What is aerothermal?
La aerothermal It is a relatively modern technology, which has become popular in recent years, especially in single-family homes. Is about a system that uses outside air to generate energy. Through an aerothermal heat pump, the air is stored and all its heat energy is extracted.
The most curious thing about aerothermal energy is that It works even in extreme cold situations, while allowing us to cool or heat the air inside our home.. The result is that, despite the temperature outside, you will enjoy a thermal sensation of well-being in your home every day of the year.
Operation and components of the aerothermal system
First, The aerothermal system extracts energy through the heat pump. Then, through a thermodynamic cycle, that heat is transferred to a cooling fluid that circulates inside. Thanks to the built-in compressor, this fluid is compressed, increasing its temperature and pressure.
The hot fluid transfers its energy to the home's heating or ACS circuit through a heat exchanger. Once cold, it decompresses and returns to the outdoor unit to start the cycle again.
You have to know that Aerothermal systems can be of 2 types: that of air-water heat pump (the most common, underfloor heating), which heats water to circulate through a heating circuit or the air to air heat pump, which transfers heat or cold through splits (fan coil) directly to the air in the home.
What is air conditioning?
El air conditioner, for its part, is a much better known system than cools the air by extracting heat from it. This is done through a treatment system that works with electricity, controlling the temperature and also the humidity of the environment.
Air conditioning operation and air conditioning components
The operation of an air conditioner It is based on the refrigeration cycle, a process that modifies the state of a refrigerant fluid from liquid to gaseous and vice versa. In this process, heat is absorbed and released.
First, The system captures heat from inside the room and passes it through an evaporator. The fluid absorbs this heat and evaporates. This is compressed through a compressor, increasing the pressure.
The hot refrigerant vapor passes through a condenser, where it gives up its heat to the outside air. In this process, the vapor condenses and returns to its liquid state. As it expands, its pressure and temperature are reduced, and it is released into the room in the form of cold air.
Energy efficiency comparison
Without a doubt, what The vast majority of homeowners are interested in energy efficiency. What does this mean? In short, the amount of energy you use to acclimatize your home is as minimal as possible. This way, The monthly electricity bill will be more affordable and you will be able to save in the long term.
Aerothermal efficiency
Aerothermal energy is clearly the most efficient option for your home, since it takes advantage of the energy generated by the outside air. This energy, by the way, It is renewable and 100% sustainable. It is difficult for the COP (Coefficient of Performance) of aerothermal energy not to exceed 4 points. This means that for every kWh of electricity it will generate up to 4 kWh of heat energy.
Air conditioning efficiency
For its part, air conditioning is a much less efficient option. Its COP is usually between 2 and 3, so for every kWh of electrical energy, it will generate between 2 and 3 kWh of heat energy.
Advantages and disadvantages of aerothermal energy
The only disadvantage that we can find in the aerothermal system is that the initial outlay as the owner is greater than that of installing an air conditioner. However, it is usually wiser to perceive this as an investment. When we talk about a home, It is better to consider long-term consumption and see to what extent that higher initial cost can be amortized with lower bills each month.
On the other hand, aerothermal energy emits water or air through water (underfloor heating) or air (fan coil) circuits, combating extremely high temperatures in an extraordinarily effective way. Not only in summer, cooling your home, but also in winter, acting as a heating system of extraordinary efficiency. The result, For practical purposes, is that you will always notice magnificent comfort in your home, at any time of the year.
Advantages and disadvantages of air conditioning
By cons, air conditioning can be a more economical and accessible system, although if you have a large home you will need to purchase a higher-cost one if you want it to work correctly. Besides, The electricity bills you will receive month after month will be much higher.
Application in modular houses
Modular houses, for its design and prefabricated construction optimized by professionals, They usually have extraordinary energy efficiency. To make this even more evident and advantageous for the owner, adding an aerothermal system can make a difference in your daily life.
Benefits of aerothermal energy in modular houses
Thanks to its high COP, you perfectly complement the efficiency of your home with that of this system. The result is to minimize as much as possible the energy consumption necessary to air condition the home. Furthermore, The installation of aerothermal energy in modular houses is usually simple and quick. The components are easily integrated into the modular structure, with less construction time and cheaper installation costs.
Furthermore, specifically in a prefabricated concrete construction with the thermal inertia of the material, the heat or cold delivered by the underfloor heating or fan coil is even more efficient than that of other modular systems.
If you want to enjoy your aerothermal system in a high-quality modular house, do not hesitate to contact us. Modular Home leads the housing sector prefabricated homes, offering houses with the highest energy rating and a leading construction system in the market.
