Simply put, a heat pump is an electric heating system, and its core principle is to move heat rather than generate it.

It can extract low-grade heat from the outdoor air or the ground, then boost it to provide indoor heating and hot water.

Because heat pumps transfer energy instead of burning fuel, the amount of heat they produce is greater than the electricity they consume.

However, heat pumps work more efficiently at lower temperatures, so factors like building insulation and radiator size are really important.

For most homeowners, the main choice is between air-source heat pumps and ground-source heat pumps.

Air-source heat pumps are currently the most common heating solution for homes. They absorb heat from the outdoor air through an outdoor unit roughly the size of an air conditioner. These systems usually have lower installation costs and shorter construction times, so as long as there’s enough outdoor space, they’re suitable for most houses.

Air source heat pumps also have some natural limitations: their efficiency is highly affected by outdoor temperatures. In winter, the colder it gets, the less heat can be extracted from the air, so heating capacity drops, and defrost cycles kick in at low temperatures. In summer, during prolonged extreme heat, the outdoor unit’s heat dissipation gets worse, and cooling efficiency also goes down. In very cold areas, you need to choose an EVI jet-enhanced ultra-low-temperature inverter model to ensure stable output in winter. Also, the outdoor unit makes fan noise, so it should be placed away from bedroom windows to avoid disturbing sleep at night.

Ground-source heat pumps absorb heat through pipes buried underground. Because the ground temperature is more stable than the air temperature, they’re more efficient year-round, but installation is more complicated and expensive, making them better suited for rural homes or houses with large gardens.A ground-source heat pump, also called a soil-source heat pump, relies on closed-loop pipes buried underground to absorb or release heat from the shallow soil. Soil several meters underground isn’t affected by seasonal temperature changes and stays at a relatively constant temperature all year round, so you won’t get the extreme cold in winter or extreme heat in summer like with air. Thanks to the fact that underground temperatures are much more stable than air temperatures, ground-source heat pumps can run more efficiently throughout the year. Their heating and cooling performance in winter and summer hardly gets affected by extreme weather, which means high energy efficiency for heating in winter and cooling in summer, and lower electricity bills over time.

For most families, air-source heat pumps are the go-to choice, while ground-source heat pumps are a more specialized, customized option.

Air source heat pumps are the more practical first choice because they balance cost, installation difficulty, and performance. They can be installed in city homes, small yards, or limited self-built houses. In contrast, ground source heat pumps are a more specialized, highly customized option. Their high energy efficiency only shines if you meet conditions like having enough land, stable electricity, and long-term residence. Not every villa is suitable for a ground source system—if your yard is small or you plan to move soon, even with a good budget, an air source heat pump is still the smarter choice.