Which technology is commonly used for air heating and cooling in buildings?

Heat pumps are a widely used technology for air heating and cooling in buildings due to their efficiency and versatility. They operate by transferring heat from one place to another, leveraging the principles of refrigeration. In heating mode, heat pumps extract heat from the outside air (even in cold conditions) and transfer it indoors, thus warming the space. Conversely, in cooling mode, they remove heat from the indoor air and release it outside, effectively cooling the building.

This dual functionality makes heat pumps an energy-efficient choice as they can serve both purposes without the need for separate systems for heating and cooling. Additionally, modern heat pumps can be highly efficient, often providing more heating or cooling output than the electrical energy they consume, which contributes to lower energy bills and reduced environmental impact.

Geothermal systems also provide heating and cooling by utilizing the consistent temperature of the ground, but they require substantial installation space and upfront investment. Combustion heaters and electrical resistive heaters, on the other hand, are typically less efficient for large-scale heating and cooling applications. Combustion heaters rely on burning fuels and can contribute to emissions, while electrical resistive heaters convert electricity directly into heat, which may lead to higher operational costs compared to heat pumps.

Overall, the combination of efficiency,