Aerothermics is a technology that has gained popularity in recent years as an efficient and sustainable alternative for home air conditioning. From Revicasa, we will explain what aerothermics is, how it works, the frequent problems that can arise and what to take into account during a home inspection.
What is aerothermal energy?
Aerothermal heating is an air conditioning system that uses the energy contained in the air to generate heat, cooling and domestic hot water in a home. It works by extracting heat from the outside air even at low temperatures, using a heat pump to increase its temperature and transfer it to the inside of the home through an air or water distribution system.
The main advantage of this system is its highenergy efficiency and the absence of maintenance. However, the cost of its installation is higher than other heating systems.
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How does aerothermal energy work?
Aerothermal operation is based on a thermodynamic cycle consisting of four phases: evaporation, compression, condensation and expansion. During the evaporation phase, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the outside air, then compresses to increase its temperature and pressure, and then gives up heat to the heating system or domestic hot water in the condensation phase. Finally, the refrigerant expands and returns to the evaporator to restart the cycle.
How do I know if I have aerothermal energy installed in my home?
Very simple. This highly energy efficient system has a multitude of elements, both external and internal, however the most visible are the heat pump (external) and the compressor (internal). All aerothermal systems have a heat pump, a device with an air inlet, installed on the facades or terraces of the houses that captures the energy from the outside to the inside. In addition, inside the house there is a device similar to a "refrigerator" called a condenser with a control panel whose function is to distribute the energy inside the house.
The compressor increases the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant, concentrating the absorbed heat. The high-temperature refrigerant travels to the indoor unit, where it transfers the heat to the heating system or domestic hot water in the home.
This system provides efficient and sustainable heating in winter and cooling in summer. In addition, the use of a thermal camera during a home inspection can help detect problems related to aerothermal systems, such as heat loss or malfunctioning components. With good maintenance and proper care, aerothermal can significantly reduce energy consumption compared to traditional heating and cooling systems.
Underfloor Heating and Aerothermics, an efficient combination
Underfloor heating is a heating system that uses pipes installed under the floor to distribute heat evenly throughout the home. When combined with aerothermal heating, underfloor heating takes advantage of the low water temperature supplied by the heat pump to provide optimal thermal comfort efficiently and quietly.
Reduction of energy consumption with aerothermal energy
One of the main benefits of aerothermal energy is its ability to significantly reduce energy consumption compared to conventional heating and cooling systems. It is estimated that the use of aerothermal energy can reduce residential air conditioning energy consumption by up to 50%, which translates into considerable savings on energy bills throughout the year.
Frequent problems in aerothermal systems.
Although aerothermal is an efficient and reliable technology, you may experience the following problems, such as:
- Evaporator freezing: In cold climates, the evaporator may freeze due to humidity present in the outside air, which affects its performance.
- Insufficient air filtration: Insufficient air flow can reduce system efficiency and cause overstressing of the heat pump.
Refrigerant leaks: Leaks in the refrigeration system can lead to reduced performance and, in severe cases, damage to the compressor.
Home Inspection and Aerothermal
Identifying these exposed problems is vital, which is why, when performing a home inspection, it is vital to find an experienced home inspector who knows the defective elements, as well as understanding how they work. Some aspects to take into account are:
- System condition: Check the general condition of the indoor and outdoor unit, including cleanliness, corrosion and noise level.
- Maintenance: Check if the recommended maintenance, such as filter cleaning and coolant pressure check, has been performed.
- Energy efficiency: Evaluate the energy consumption of the system and compare it with the manufacturer's specifications to determine its efficiency.
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Potential problems: Identify potential problems such as coolant leaks, air flow obstructions or electrical problems.
In the following video uploaded to Revicasa's Tik Tok we show how we check with a thermographic camera the emitter of an aerothermal system, in this case a radiant floor.
