An air conditioner for heating? View air conditioners with heating
Can you use an air conditioning as heating air conditioner, even in winter? Yes: a modern split air conditioner works on the same principle as a heat pump. In summer, it extracts heat from your home (cooling), and during the heating season, it brings heat from the outside air indoors (heating). This is often more economical than gas heating, especially in autumn and spring.
- A split air conditioner heats according to the heat pump principle
- It delivers more heat than it consumes in electricity; this efficiency decreases in severe frost
- Ideal as supplementary heating for one or a few rooms
- An air conditioner is not eligible for the ISDE subsidy
How heating with an air conditioner works
The outdoor unit extracts heat from the outside air and the indoor unit blows it into your room as warm air. Because the air conditioner moves heat instead of generating it, it delivers more heat than it consumes in electricity. How well a model heats can be seen from its heating energy label and SCOP value: the higher, the more economical throughout the heating season.
Does an air conditioner work when it's freezing?
Yes, modern split air conditioners continue to heat even below zero. However, efficiency decreases as it gets colder, and the outdoor unit defrosts itself periodically: you may sometimes see steam near the outdoor unit and the indoor unit temporarily stops blowing warm air. This is normal. The minimum outdoor temperature at which a model heats is stated in the manufacturer's specifications.
- Place the outdoor unit so that meltwater can drain freely and snow does not blow against it.
- Keep the outdoor unit's air intake clear of snow and leaves.
- Set a constant temperature; the air conditioner then doesn't have to constantly heat up at full power.
When is heating with an air conditioner smart?
An air conditioner with a heating function is ideal as supplementary heating for rooms you want to warm up quickly: a home office, attic room, conservatory, or bedroom. Your central heating boiler doesn't have to heat the entire house for one room. If you want to sustainably heat your entire home, then an air-to-water heat pump or a hybrid heat pump is usually the better choice. You can read the difference in air conditioner or heat pump.
Which air conditioner heats well?
When choosing, pay attention to the heating energy label, the power per room, and the noise of the indoor and outdoor units. We install brands such as Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, and LG; in our comparison of air conditioner brands you can see the differences. What an air conditioner with installation costs can be found in what does an air conditioner cost.
Professional and compliant with standards
An air conditioner contains refrigerant; therefore, installation must be F-gas certified happen. Our own technicians install the unit neatly, quietly, and safely, with the pipes neatly concealed. This way, you get the best efficiency from your air conditioner, even in winter.
We advise on the correct power per room and install F-gas certified, with neat piping.
Frequently asked questions
Does an air conditioner also heat during frost?
Yes, modern split air conditioners also heat below zero. Efficiency decreases as it gets colder; the lower limit varies per model and is stated in the specifications.
Is heating with an air conditioner cheaper than with gas?
That depends on your electricity and gas prices, the model, and how you heat. Because an air conditioner delivers more heat than it consumes in electricity, it is often favourable in autumn and spring, especially with your own solar power.
Can an air conditioner replace my central heating boiler?
For one or a few rooms, an air conditioner can take over much of the heating work. For the whole house and hot tap water, a heat pump or hybrid heat pump is more suitable.
Why does my air conditioner not blow warm air in winter for a while?
The outdoor unit is probably defrosting. In cold weather, ice can form on the outdoor unit; the air conditioner automatically defrosts it and then heats up again.
Do I get a subsidy for an air conditioner that heats?
No, an air conditioner (air-to-air heat pump) is not covered by the ISDE subsidy. An air-to-water heat pump is; see Applying for ISDE subsidy.
Curious about what this means for your home?
Request a no-obligation quote or start with the free sustainability check for your address.
