How does ground-source heat pump technology differ from air-to-air systems?

Ground-source heat pump technology utilizes the stable temperatures found in the ground as a heat exchange medium, while air-to-air systems rely on the temperature of outside air. This fundamental difference is rooted in how each system captures and transfers heat.

Ground-source systems take advantage of the relatively constant temperature of the ground, which can be significantly more stable than outside air temperatures, providing greater efficiency, especially in extreme weather conditions. They draw heat from the ground during the winter and dissipate heat back into the ground during the summer.

In contrast, air-to-air systems extract heat from the air, which can fluctuate widely based on weather conditions. As the outside temperature drops, the efficiency of air-to-air systems can decline, whereas ground-source systems maintain higher efficiency due to the more consistent ground temperatures.

This distinction highlights why option C accurately illustrates the differing operational principles of these two types of heating and cooling systems.