Are you looking for a heating and domestic hot water solution that is both efficient, economical, and ecological? In that case, an air-to-water heat pump might greatly interest you. After explaining how this system works in practice, we give you two reasons to choose this heating method for your home today.

How does an air-to-water heat pump work?

An air-to-water heat pump is a device that uses aerothermal energy, that is, the calories present in the outside air, to then heat a water circuit. This circuit is used to directly supply your radiators (not just any, as they must be hot water models), your underfloor heating, or your domestic hot water tank. 

Thus, with a quality air-to-water heat pump, you can heat your entire home in a way. This partly explains why this type of heat pump is the most widespread in France, given that the air-to-air model is not compatible with radiators, for example.

An environmentally friendly heating method

In addition to its very interesting multifunctional aspect, the air-to-water heat pump has another strong argument: its ecological aspect. Indeed, it is environmentally friendly because it uses a renewable and free energy source: air. Consequently, it emits less greenhouse gas than an oil or gas boiler. We specify “less” because it still requires electricity to operate. However, let us recall that 92% of French electricity production is low-carbon, which puts this into perspective.

Moreover, an air-to-water heat pump is very energy efficient, meaning it delivers much more energy than it consumes. Its coefficient of performance (COP) is generally above 3 and can reach up to 4 depending on outdoor temperatures. That is why if you consume 1 kWh of electricity, you will produce 3 to 4 kWh. To summarize, this is a low-energy heating system that emits almost no greenhouse gases, hence its popularity among environmentally conscious people.

The concrete benefits of the air-to-water heat pump

The air-to-water heat pump (air-to-water HP) is a modern and efficient heating system that is increasingly attracting households. It uses outside air to heat the water in the heating circuit (radiators or underfloor heating), and also allows the production of domestic hot water depending on the models. Here are two major reasons to adopt it:

• An economical and efficient solution :
  • Significant reduction in energy bills thanks to better efficiency than a traditional boiler.
  • Compatible with renewable energies and financial aids (MaPrimeRénov’, energy saving certificates).
  • Profitable investment in the medium term.
• An ecological and sustainable choice :
  • Uses a free and inexhaustible resource: air.
  • Reduces CO₂ emissions compared to oil or gas heating.
  • Is part of an environmentally friendly approach and complies with current energy standards.

Comparison table: the advantages of an air-to-water heat pump

To better understand why the air-to-water heat pump is an interesting solution, here is a summary table of its main advantages compared to traditional systems.

Criterion	Air-to-water heat pump	Traditional heating (oil/gas)
Energy consumption	Up to 3 to 4 times more efficient (high COP)	High consumption
Bill savings	Reduction of 30 to 60%	Significant and variable expenses
Environmental impact	Low CO₂ emissions	High pollutant emissions
Eligibility for aid	Yes (subsidies and tax credits)	Rarely eligible
Durability	15 to 20 years on average	Comparable lifespan but less cost-effective
Maintenance	Simple and annual	More costly depending on the fuel

Savings on your energy bill, but also financial aid

As we have just seen, air-to-water heat pumps have a good performance coefficient, which allows you to save energy each year. These savings depend, however, on the price of electricity, but the logic is the same with gas and wood. What you should remember, though, is that if you plan to carry out work by installing an air-to-water heat pump, you can obtain financial aid from the State.

Among these, we can notably mention MaPrimeRénov’, which is certainly the most popular for energy renovations in general. There is also the “Heating Boost” bonus which applies to the replacement of a coal, gas, or oil boiler. Finally, the zero-interest eco-loan is possible for work amounts up to 15,000 euros (if it involves installing only a heat pump). Do not hesitate to inquire about the eligibility conditions!