You can choose between earth, groundwater and the air as the heat source. Even when it comes to tapping these energy sources, there are big differences. While the ambient air is available in unlimited quantities and is readily accessible as a heat source, the situation with the soil and groundwater is much more complicated. Depending on the design of the heat pump, they may require the sinking of boreholes in the ground or the laying of long heat collectors on the site. This involves a certain degree of earthmoving and is therefore very costly as well.
By contrast, tapping the ambient air as the heat source is much simpler. With the aid of a unit set up outside, the heat is extracted from the outdoor air. These outdoor units can be positioned inconspicuously in corners of the building, niches or on the roof. Another advantage of this design is that all the mechanical components are accommodated outside the building. Any noise nuisance within the building is thus excluded. And even outside, Zubadan heat pumps at 52 dB(A) are extremely quiet at a distance of only a metre.
