The price of an air heating installation can vary depending on several factors. The average price of a complete installation including heating, cooling and hot water supply ranges from EUR 5 000 to EUR 24000. The initial investment depends on the size of the house, the type of system chosen and the complexity of the installation. Typically, for a medium-sized single-family house with underfloor heating and DHW system, the cost is between EUR 10,000 and EUR 15,000, but can be higher if additional repair work is required, such as insulation upgrades or wiring changes. A more economical installation option is to opt for a heating system only or domestic hot water (DHW) production only, which typically costs between €2,000 and €3,000.
Aerothermal energy is a technology that harnesses the energy contained in the outside air using heat pump systems. This system is an efficient alternative to traditional air conditioning systems such as boilers and air conditioners. The system utilises an air-to-water heat pump, which extracts up to 75% of the energy from the outside air and requires only 25% of the electricity to operate. This is possible thanks to a thermodynamic cycle that utilises the temperature difference between the outside air and the system to produce heat, cooling and hot water. As technology advances, air-source heat is becoming a viable option not only for new construction, but also for retrofitting and installation in existing homes.
Aerothermal energy goes through five basic steps using three main components: evaporator, compressor and condenser. This thermodynamic cycle is critical for capturing heat from the outside air and transferring it to the home. Below is a step-by-step description of the process to help you understand how it works: - Heat recovery: first, the air heat energy takes heat from the outside air through the evaporator. Even if the air temperature is below 0 °C, the system can still utilise the outside air energy. - Compression: after heat recovery, the refrigerant gas in the system is compressed, increasing its temperature and pressure. - Heat transfer: the hot gas is channelled into the house and transfers energy to radiators, underfloor heating, air conditioning and other energy distribution systems. - Depressurisation: once the heat is released, the gas is compressed and cooled in the condenser and the cycle restarts. - Restart cycle: the refrigerant gas returns to the evaporator and the heat recovery process starts again. Depending on the needs of the household, air-thermal energy can provide heating in winter, cooling in summer and hot water all year round, maximising the efficiency of a single system.
Aerothermal energy is considered one of the most efficient and sustainable systems available today. Although the initial costs may seem high, the long-term savings on electricity and gas bills and the long service life almost always justify the investment. Running costs are minimised due to low maintenance and long service life.
