Heat pumps become available once you complete the calculator or the virtual consultant.

2025-12-12

Air-to-water, air-to-air and ground-to-water heat pumps: which solution is best for your home?

Air-to-water, air-to-air and ground-to-water heat pumps: which solution is best for your home?

Heat pumps are one of the most efficient heating solutions for modern A++, A+ and A energy class homes. They cut energy consumption, deliver comfort all year round and run on renewable energy sources.

The Inoterma team installs and services heat pumps from a wide range of manufacturers, so in this article we give you a clear technical comparison of the three main types: air-to-water, air-to-air and ground-to-water (geothermal).

Air-to-water heat pumps – the all-round solution for modern homes

Air-to-water heat pumps draw energy from the outdoor air and transfer it into a water-based heating system. This is by far the most popular solution in newly built houses.

Key technical advantages

  • Stable efficiency even at outdoor temperatures of –20 to –25 °C;
  • Suitable for underfloor heating, radiators and fan convectors;
  • Domestic hot water production (integrated or separate cylinders);
  • Cooling through the floor or through convectors;
  • A wide output range, from 3 kW up to 16+ kW.

Who is air-to-water right for?

  • Detached houses of 80–300 m²;
  • Renovations replacing gas or solid fuel boilers;
  • Projects that need one system for both heating and cooling.

Air-to-air heat pumps – for fast, economical heating

Air-to-air systems (air conditioners with a heating function) transfer heat directly into the indoor air. Technically simple, they can be installed quickly.

Advantages

  • Lower purchase and installation cost;
  • Fast response – rooms warm up within minutes;
  • Particularly efficient during the shoulder seasons;
  • Excellent cooling in summer.

Where does air-to-air fit best?

  • Apartments, holiday cabins and smaller spaces;
  • As supplementary heating to bring running costs down;
  • Rooms with no water-based heating system.

Ground-to-water (geothermal) – maximum efficiency all year round

Geothermal heat pumps use the heat stored in the ground. It is the most stable and most efficient way to heat a building.

Advantages of geothermal systems

  • The highest SCOP (4.5–5.5), regardless of the weather;
  • The lowest running costs;
  • Suitable for underfloor heating and hot water production;
  • Passive or active cooling available;
  • Longevity – ground collectors last 50+ years.

When should you choose geothermal?

  • For larger buildings of 150–300+ m²;
  • For plots where horizontal collectors or boreholes can be installed;
  • When the goal is to minimise energy costs over the long term.

Which heat pump should you choose?

Recommendations by property type

  • A newly built A+ house (80–300 m²): air-to-water;
  • An apartment or a small space: air-to-air;
  • A large, energy-efficient house: geothermal;
  • If you have a solar power plant, all three types become extremely efficient thanks to the low running costs.

Why choose Inoterma?

Inoterma specialises in the design, installation and maintenance of heat pump and ventilation systems.

Our strengths

  • We work with Daikin, Panasonic, Alpha Innotec and Midea equipment;
  • We handle the entire process – from the calculations to commissioning;
  • We provide clear warranties on both the equipment and the installation;
  • We have delivered projects in buildings from A++ down to D energy class.

Need a quote? Get in touch with Inoterma

We will propose a precise solution based on:

  • the output you need;
  • the type of heating;
  • your hot water demand;
  • the energy class of the building;
  • the installation location.