Air-to-air heat pumps and what people say about them

Heat pumps are often a relatively inexpensive option for heating a house. They are not suitable for every home, but they do have certain advantages. For example, with the air-to-air type, the costs are more affordable, if not tens of thousands lower. Unfortunately, they are often underestimated, yet they can significantly improve a household’s energy balance. So which is better?  

How an air-to-air heat pump works

It is essentially like an ordinary fridge. The pump takes heat from a particular environment, in this case the air outside the house, and transfers it to the environment of our choice. That means a house, a flat or a selected room. The process requires a compressor on the secondary heat exchanger, where the heat is then raised to a higher temperature level. It uses a system of gas compression and expansion. So when you use an air-to-air heat pump in your home, the basic idea is to take heat energy from outside and move it inside.

Advantages of an air-to-air heat pump

One of its biggest advantages is its relatively low purchase price. This usually ranges from 25,000 to 50,000 CZK (about 2,300 USD), including installation.

Another bonus is the relatively easy installation: the pump can simply be mounted on an external wall of the house or on the roof, or even placed on the ground next to the house.

Last but not least, another advantage is that an air-to-air heat pump also works as an air purifier. It can rid the air of bacteria, viruses, dust mites and allergens.

Disadvantages

Efficiency

The efficiency of an air-to-air heat pump depends on the outdoor temperature. At lower temperatures, especially in the winter months, it can drop significantly. In mountain areas, it is therefore worth considering not buying one.

Short service life

Air-to-air heat pumps generally have a 20 to 30% shorter service life than ground-to-water or water-to-water pumps. For you, this means higher costs for replacing the equipment.

Unable to heat water

An air-to-air heat pump is not designed to heat water. If you need to heat water, you will have to buy another appliance, such as an air-to-water pump, which means further investment and space for installation.

If you are planning to install this type of heat pump, keep in mind that these disadvantages can affect the overall costs and efficiency of your heating system, depending especially on the climate and the specific needs of your household.

An air-to-air heat pump offers an efficient and affordable way to save energy. Thanks to its low purchase cost and easy installation, it is a popular choice for both heating and cooling. Although its efficiency can vary with the outdoor temperature and it has a shorter service life than some other types of pumps, it will certainly reduce your energy costs.

USD amounts are approximate, converted at the Czech National Bank rate of 21.75 CZK per USD on 9 October 2026.