In Switzerland, the heat pump (HP) is emerging as both an ecological and economical heating solution. Discover the different HP types and how this heat source works.
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A heat pump is a thermodynamic system that transfers heat from a cold source (outside air, ground, water) to a heating medium (the inside of your home, domestic hot water). Unlike traditional combustion heating systems, the heat pump uses a small amount of electricity to move the heat already present, making it much more energy-efficient.
Think of a reversed refrigerator: instead of cooling the inside by releasing heat outside, the heat pump captures heat from outside (even at low temperatures) and transfers it indoors to heat your home. This process delivers major energy savings and reduces CO2 emissions.
Choosing a heat pump is a strategic decision if you want to reduce your energy consumption, save on your bills and adopt a more ecological heating method. EDIREX gives you an overview of the main advantages of this type of installation:
They use the calories present in the air, water or ground to heat your home, thereby reducing your energy consumption and your heating bills.
This heating system uses renewable energy and reduces CO2 emissions. You therefore contribute, at your own level, to protecting the environment.
Heat pumps provide uniform, comfortable heating, while ensuring the production of domestic hot water. Their Coefficient of Performance (COP) ranges between 3 and 5. This means that a pump produces 3 to 5 kWh of heat for every 1 kWh of electricity consumed.
In Switzerland, the installation of a heat pump is often subsidised by the cantons and the Confederation, which reduces the initial cost of the investment. These subsidies can cover up to 40 or 50% of the total installation cost.
This system uses different energy sources to produce heat. You can therefore choose between 4 heat pump models in Switzerland:
An air-to-air heat pump captures the calories present in the outside air to heat the indoor air. It is the simplest and least expensive solution to install, but its efficiency drops considerably when outside temperatures fall very low.
An air-to-water heat pump uses the calories from the outside air to heat the water in your central heating circuit and produce domestic hot water. It therefore offers a good compromise between cost and performance.
As its name indicates, this type of heat pump extracts heat from the ground. Specifically, it draws the calories present in the earth thanks to buried sensors. It is the most efficient and stable solution, but its installation is more complex and more expensive.
The water-to-water heat pump uses the calories present in the water of a lake or an aquifer (groundwater). It offers excellent performance, but its installation is subject to geographical and administrative constraints, particularly in the case of drilling.
Are you still wondering how to choose a heat pump? We advise you to make your heat source choice by taking the following parameters into account:
The operating principle of a heat pump is based on a thermodynamic cycle that uses a refrigerant fluid. This fluid circulates in a closed circuit by extracting heat from the environment. The cycle breaks down into four main stages:
The refrigerant fluid, at low pressure and low temperature, absorbs heat from the cold source (air, water, ground) and vaporises.
The fluid in gaseous form is compressed by a compressor, which increases its temperature and pressure.
The hot, pressurised refrigerant fluid passes through a condenser where it releases its heat to the heating circuit of the house (or the domestic hot water). The fluid then condenses and becomes liquid again.
The liquid fluid passes through an expansion valve, which decreases its pressure and temperature. It can then absorb heat from the cold source again and restart the cycle.
This cycle allows heat to be transferred from a cold medium to a hot medium, using a relatively small amount of energy (electricity) to power the compressor.
EDIREX connects you with qualified and experienced heat pump installers in Switzerland. Thanks to our platform, you can:
As you will have understood, choosing the right type of pump is a major asset for optimising the energy performance and comfort of your home: substantial energy savings, modern thermal comfort and a strong gesture for the environment. Thanks to the diversity of models (air-to-air, air-to-water, geothermal, water-to-water), you are sure to find a solution suited to your needs, the configuration of your home and your budget.
Well chosen, well installed and well maintained, a heat pump will accompany you for many years, while reducing your energy bill. EDIREX supports you in your project by connecting you with heat pump experts in Switzerland. Do not hesitate to contact us today.
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