Aerothermal energy, together with geothermal energy, to which we will dedicate a post later on, are two forms of renewable energy that have been created to replace natural gas.
Natural gas from oil is a fuel that generates much more emissions and its use will be decreasing over the years. The function of gas as a source of energy for heating the home or hot water will eventually be replaced by less polluting or cleaner energies that will also have a direct effect on reducing the cost of the energy bill.
The search for alternatives to the use of natural gas is a process that began some time ago with the arrival of solar energy in the first instance and the new renewable energies of which aerothermal energy is one of its main exponents.
Aerothermal energy is an air conditioning system that allows, by means of heat exchange, to obtain energy from the air to convert it into heating, cooling or hot water by means of a single machine.
In other words, aerothermal energy is the technology that extracts the energy contained in the air to generate heat.
This air conditioning system is undoubtedly one of the most efficient of all those that exist today (if not the most) since, instead of generating energy by chemical processes, it generates it through the air.
What is the aerothermal process to obtain this energy and bring it into your home?
The first thing to know is that the outside air always contains thermal energy, even if we feel cold or hot.
Aerothermal energy consists of using this thermal energy to air-condition buildings of all types, this means that it is a system that absorbs energy from the air and converts it into heat.
Aerothermal energy uses a heat pump, which is a thermal machine capable of reversing the natural flow of heat; that is, of making the coldest area (the outside) give up heat to the warmest area (the inside of our home).
In addition, the aerothermal heat pump is an efficient system, which transports more heat than it consumes; making it a perfect alternative to cover the heating needs of the house in an environmentally friendly way.
By means of a fan, the heat pump absorbs the outside air and stores it in an evaporator (duct through which the refrigerant passes) which is initially very cold, but as it comes into contact with the air it has sucked in, it begins to heat up and the refrigerant starts to turn into a gas.
Once the refrigerant becomes gas passes to a compressor and begins to increase the pressure to heat it further.
When it is already over 35 ºC the gas goes directly to a condenser causing the temperature of the gas and water to balance and start to lower the temperature of the gas and raise the water temperature. In this way, we obtain hot water.
The hot water can be channeled through a radiant floor or used for domestic water in the house while the refrigerant gas, being already cold, becomes liquid again.
Finally, the liquid refrigerant passes through a valve that releases part of the high pressure that we had introduced in the circuit and when leaving, the refrigerant returns to be a very cold liquid that will be ready to restart the cycle process using the outside air to convert it into heat for the house.
The great advantage of aerothermal energy is that it does not require the use of any polluting product or combustion.
It is a clean process because it is transformed within a closed circuit that is installed outside the house and does not present risks inside the home.
The heat pump does not need to be handled by installers as it comes closed directly from the factory and is very easy to install.
The price of an aerothermal installation varies depending on the surface area of our home, since the power required by the heat pump, the length of the hydraulic installation and the meters of under floor heating required depend on it.
Despite the high initial cost, the savings provided by the use of the system always allows the installation to be amortized between 5 and 12 years, regardless of the available financing options for the installation and, in certain areas, public subsidies that prioritize energy efficiency.
For a couple of years we see that most of the reforms that are undertaken and new homes are undertaken by this aerothermal system.
There are many apartments and detached houses in La Moraleja, Soto de la Moraleja, and Ciudalcampo that already work with aerothermal energy.
Some advantages of installing aerotermia in your home are the following:
1. Aerothermal heating can be at least 25% cheaper than gas heating.
2. You don't need a gas, LPG or oil contract.
3. It can be used both in winter and summer thanks to its cooling system.
4. It is a safer system than traditional boilers.
5. It needs almost no maintenance.
6. Under floor heating installations also save space and provide a not inconsiderable amount of additional useful meters to our homes.
Disadvantages:
1. The installation cost at the beginning is high, but it will be worth it for the savings in consumption.
2. The compressor will have to go outside the home, so outside space is needed.
3. The performance of the heat pump may be affected in areas with very low temperatures (below freezing) for long periods of time.
4. The installation of an aerothermal system may require an increase in the electrical power contracted in the home to support the operation of the installation.
