A heat pump for a flat: what the options are

An air-to-water heat pump is only rarely installed in a flat – flats in apartment buildings are usually connected to central or district heating and the location of an outdoor unit is limited. The most common “heat pump” for flats is therefore an air conditioner with a heating function, in other words an air-to-air heat pump.

An air conditioner as an air-to-air heat pump

A modern air conditioner can cool in summer and also heat in spring and autumn. In a flat with central heating it is an excellent supplement – for example on autumn mornings when the building’s heating is not yet on. Read more in the article Heating with an air conditioner: is it worth it?.

When an air-to-water heat pump is considered for a flat

• the flat has its own heat source, for example a gas boiler, and its own pipework,
• there is somewhere to put the outdoor unit – for example on a terrace,
• the apartment building agrees to the location.

Even then, noise, defrost water drainage and the space for an indoor unit with a tank must be assessed.

The apartment building’s consent

An outdoor unit on the facade or common parts of the building usually requires the consent of the manager or owners’ association – Consent to install an air conditioner in an apartment building: what to arrange.

A heat pump for a whole apartment building

When apartment buildings are renovated, a central heat pump for the whole building is sometimes considered. This is a larger project, decided jointly by the owners.

Recommendation

For most flats in Bratislava, the most sensible choice is a Daikin air conditioner with heating. For family houses, a Daikin Altherma heat pump. See What is the difference between an air conditioner and a heat pump? or write to us.