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Comparing Efficiencies Between Air Source and Geothermal Heat Pumps

By Nordic

February 02, 2015

Home Ownership

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Air source heat pumps and geothermal heat pumps are both highly efficient options to choose from when you’re deciding on the best system to heat and cool your home. As both draw heat from existing sources of warmth, they offer a better annual fuel utilization efficiency than electric baseboard heating, natural gas fireplaces, or oil furnaces. Read on to discover how these two options are so much more eco friendly and economical than traditional or conventional options.

Geothermal Heat Pump Efficiency

Both geothermal and air source heat pumps are significantly more efficient than other forms of heating and cooling like an oil furnace or electric baseboards. Geothermal heat pumps do have a slight advantage over air source heat pumps when it comes to average annual efficiency rates. As geothermal heat pumps can draw on a consistently warm source of heat in the ground, they have a steady year round efficiency of approximately 400%. This means that for every one (1) watt of electricity used to run the heat pump, it generates four (4) watts of heat energy for the home.

Air Source Heat Pump Efficiency

Air source heat pumps do not draw on the same even source of heat and therefore do not have a consistent efficiency rate. Because air source heat pumps draw heat into the home from the outdoor air, fluctuations in temperature greatly impact how much work the heat pump has to do to draw that warmth inside. While air source heat pumps often have efficiencies reported as high as 290%, once the drop in efficiency that occurs in colder months is accounted for, efficiencies are closer to 240%. This means on average they generate 2.4 watts of heat energy for the home for every watt of electricity used to run the heat pump.

It’s important to note that if your air source heat pump is properly sized and installed, you’ll never be cold. In cases where it is simply too cold for air source heat pumps to draw heat from the outdoor air, an electric backup system will kick in, so you won’t run out of heat.

Traditional Heating Source Efficiency

In contrast, electric baseboard heat has an annual fuel utilization efficiency rate of 100%, meaning that for every dollar spent, you’ll get a dollar’s worth in heat energy. When you consider that a newer model conventional oil furnace operates at 85% fuel utilization efficiency, offering $0.85 worth of heat energy for every $1 you spend on fuel, it’s easy to understand how quickly you’ll begin to see a return on your investment with a Nordic heat pump—regardless of whether you select an air or geothermal option.

To learn more about the how you could benefit from air source or geothermal heat pumps, download our guide: All About Air Source: How Innovative Air to Water Heat Pumps Differ from Geothermal. 

When you’re considering a home build or renovation, be sure to contact your nearest Nordic dealer to discuss how a geothermal or air source heat pump can help you enjoy comfortable, affordable heating and cooling all year round.

Call 1-506-756-8135 to find out more!

Or find your local dealer.

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