This guide explains what to compare before considering an aerothermal installation: home demand, emitters, space, declared performance, and budget scope. The decision requires property and consumption data. Uniclima Solutions
We will also see the actual efficiencies (COP and SPF), the common faults that reduce efficiency and when it is worth (or not) replacing your current system with an air source heat pump. If after reading the guide you have specific questions about your home, at the end you will find how to request a personalized study from us.
What exactly is aerothermal energy?
Aerothermal is a climate control system based on an air-to-water heat pump. that extracts thermal energy from the outside air and transfers it to the heating, cooling, and domestic hot water (DHW) circuit of the home. It does so without combustion: it does not burn gas, oil, or biomass.
The environmental energy harnessed by a heat pump can be counted as renewable under applicable conditions. To assess a home, it is necessary to know the seasonal efficiency, not just a catalog COP. The IDAE guide on heat pumps in rehabilitation study how emitters and operating temperatures influence.
How does it work step by step?
Quick response: The system uses a refrigerant circuit that continuously evaporates, compresses, condenses, and expands, capturing heat from the outside air and delivering it indoors.
- Collection. A fan passes the outside air through a evaporator, where a refrigerant at a very low temperature absorbs heat from the air and evaporates.
- Compression. The compressor raises the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant so that it can transfer heat to the water circuit.
- Condensation. The hot refrigerant transfers its energy to the water in the internal circuit (underfloor heating, fan coils, or low-temperature radiators) in a capacitor and returns to a liquid state.
- Expansion. A valve sharply reduces the pressure of the liquid, cooling it again, and the cycle starts over.
Parts of an aerothermal installation
The components and their location depend on whether the system is monobloc or split and on the services it needs to cover. In a proposal, it is advisable to identify:
- Outdoor unit: model, necessary space, ventilation and installation conditions.
- Hydraulic set: components and connections that correspond to the chosen configuration.
- Domestic hot water production: If an accumulator is included, justify its capacity according to the intended use.
- Emitters: check the capacity of radiators, fan coils, or underfloor heating at design temperatures.
- Regulation: identify control, sensors, programming, and service coordination.
Real advantages over a gas boiler
These are the fundamental differences between an aerothermal heat pump and a natural gas condensing boiler:
| Criterion | Air-water aerothermal system | Gas boiler |
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | Compare seasonal performance to the expected supply. | Compare performance with the same reference base. |
| Energy | Electricity and ambient heat | Authorized fuel and auxiliary consumption |
| Emissions | They depend on the electrical consumption and the system. | They depend on the fuel and the consumption. |
| Cold in summer | Only with prepared equipment and installation | Requires another system. |
| Maintenance | According to equipment, power, usage, and applicable requirements. | According to equipment, power, usage, and applicable requirements. |
| Duration | It depends on the equipment and its operating conditions. | It depends on the equipment and its operating conditions. |
Why is aerothermal energy a sustainable option?
- Ambient heat. The energy part taken from the air depends on the system's efficiency; it is not a fixed percentage for any equipment or condition.
- No combustion in the heat pump. It does not need to burn gas to provide heat, although the installation maintains electrical, hydraulic, and refrigerant safety requirements.
- Electricity used. The emissions associated with consumption depend on how electricity is produced and the energy required by the home.
- Photovoltaic self-consumption. It can provide part of the electricity; the match between production and demand must be calculated.
- Refrigerant. Check the one that uses the model, its installation and maintenance requirements. It is not interchangeable with another just because it has a lower global warming potential.
How much can be saved with an aerothermal system?
Savings are estimated with home demand, previous consumption, tariffs, emitters, and expected seasonal performance. Request a comparison with explicit assumptions; there is no fixed annual amount applicable to all Madrid households.
The figure depends on four main factors:
- Insulation: influences the demand the system must cover.
- Emitters: its capacity determines the required operating temperature, which influences performance.
- Electricity tariff: compare price and schedule with your usage pattern.
- Usage habits — programming and realistic temperatures (20–22 °C in winter).
Installation: key points that must justify the proposal
- Check applicable work authorisation and request the proposal to identify documentation, commissioning, and intervention responsibility. Uniclima Solutions
- Request a needs calculation. The proposal must justify the power for the climate and the housing, including the demand for domestic hot water if applicable.
- Check the outdoor location. Check distances and ventilation from the manual, vibration transmission, and acoustic requirements of the installation site.
- Define regulation. Please explain the programming and the expected operating temperature, along with the compatible controls.
- Document the commissioning. The budget must identify the checks, the delivery of instructions, and the included maintenance visits.
Maintenance and lifespan
Maintenance operations must be tailored to the equipment and installation. Consult the manufacturer's program and the scope of the contract:
- Maintenance, regulatory inspection and warranty conditions are different matters. Frequency depends on the equipment, power, use and maintenance manual. The contract identifies included visits and operations; it does not alone equate to a certificate or official inspection.
- Cleaning: follow the procedure and frequency outlined in the manual. The user only performs the operations identified as accessible.
- Hydraulic circuit control: pressure of the primary circuit, expansion vessel, and safety valves.
- Refrigerant tightness: inspection according to F-Gas regulation based on the charge.
Frequently Asked Questions about Aerothermal Systems
Does aerothermal work in cold climates like Madrid in winter?
Check the model sheet for capacity and efficiency at your area's design temperature and required flow. That equipment can operate in cold weather does not mean it covers any home without support.
Can I replace my gas boiler with an aerothermal system without changing the radiators?
It depends on whether the radiators meet the demand at the expected temperature for the heat pump. It is necessary to check the power of the emitters, the losses of the dwelling, and the capacity of the equipment under those conditions. aerothermal guide with radiators What data should be checked before replacing them?
Does the aerothermal system make noise?
Check the acoustic data and testing conditions of the model. The declared sound power does not equate to the level that will be perceived inside a room; the location, vibrations, and distances must be assessed in the project.
How many years does an aerothermal system last?
Duration depends on equipment, installation, use, and maintenance. The quote should not turn a lifespan estimate into a guarantee; also compare service availability and manufacturer conditions.
Does aerothermal energy also work for cooling in summer?
It can be done if the equipment is reversible and the emitters and installation are prepared. The cold requires checking insulation, controlling condensation, and, depending on the emitter, draining condensate. Better efficiency cannot be promised than any air conditioning unit just because it is called aerothermal.