People inevitably look at home heating as everyone is watching their energy use and doing everything they can to save money. With Gas and Electricity prices soaring, there is a drive to look at alternative systems. But we are heavily invested in Gas in the UK. A 2022 survey conducted by the UK Department for Business Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) found that 78 per cent of respondents used Gas Central Heating. The alternatives were all dwarfed by this number, but some, such as Air conditioning, are on the end of incorrect myths regarding the cost to run them. We will investigate one of the alternatives with a stigma attached to it and ask, Why should you use Air conditioning to heat your house?
The weather can quickly shift from blazing sunshine to bitterly cold in the United Kingdom, usually with little warning that a change is about to happen. When the weather begins to cool, many of us will try to put on an extra jumper or dig out the fluffy socks before turning on the central heating.
However, there comes a time when we have to accept that our central heating will have to be turned on. The problem with central heating is that it is expensive and slow to heat rooms. Especially when the weather begins to cool, and you and your family begin to feel the chill. So can heating using Air conditioning fill the gap?
Can an Air conditioning system heat your home?
Many people buy Air conditioners to keep their homes cool in the summer. But, when the weather turns cold, we frequently get asked, "Can I use my Air conditioner to heat my room in winter?"
Thankfully, most modern Air conditioners are designed to heat and cool, but this is not always the case. Continue reading to learn more about heating with an Air conditioner, how to tell which type of unit you have, and how cost-effective they can be.
Do Air conditioning units produce heat as well as cool?
Heating, in addition to cooling, is dependent on the specific unit you have installed in your home. If your Air conditioner is also designed to function as a heat pump, you can also use it to heat your space.
Suppose you have an HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning ) system. In that case, this also means that your air conditioner can produce heat.
Is a heat pump an Air conditioner?
Air conditioners that are older or basic can only blow air in one direction. They draw cooler air from outside the house and blow it into the room to cool it down. They typically include an evaporator coil containing a liquid refrigerant and can lower the temperature even further. Cool air is frequently all that is required to create a comfortable environment in extremely hot climates.
Many Air conditioners, however, include a heat pump system. This essentially means that they can reverse the airflow direction - in other words, they can remove cold air from your home and replace it with warm air. They also use a compressor to warm the air that enters the space.
A dedicated air source heat pump is an alternative method of heating your home, and it is being promoted by the government with grants available. It will allow you to generate renewable heat, saving you money on your energy bills.
They produce heat at lower temperatures than gas or oil boilers. As a result, you'll have to run them for extended periods to warm your home to a comfortable level.
How efficient is Air conditioning for heating?
Heating your home consumes the most energy and costs the most money of any system in your home, accounting for approximately 29% of your utility bills.
Heat pumps are extremely energy-efficient because they can move warm or cool air from one space to another. A 1kw electrical heater will require 1kw of electricity to produce 1kw of heat, whereas some of the highâ€performing AC equipment can provide 6kw of heat output for only 1kw of electricity! – That is a serious saving compared to an electric fire, oil, or gas heater.
Heat pumps and HVAC systems also heat the room more evenly than free-standing heaters and provide additional benefits such as air purification. So they're not only better for your wallet but also for you and your family members.
Heating by Air conditioning systems is also highly convenient and safe, with no naked flames or combustion gases. It is always best to keep your Air conditioning system well-maintained and clean by using professional maintenance and cleaning products.
Good quality home insulation will help any heating system by reducing heat loss.
How do I know if I have a system that can generate heat?
There are two ways to tell if you have a standalone Air conditioner or a heat pump system. The simplest method is to check the control panel. If your Air conditioner has a heating mode button, it's most likely a heat pump. Second, when you select heat mode, the outer unit should activate. If it does, you now have a fully functional heat pump system!
If you don't see a heat mode option, your unit is most likely designed solely for cooling. That means you can add a heat pump or compressor component and turn it into a multipurpose Air conditioner.
Conclusion
Although heating a home with Air conditioning isn't hugely popular in the UK, it is gaining traction.
An HVAC system is efficient, but when joined to a solar PV system, you have efficient heating and cooling on tap without the energy companies' grip and with impeccable green credentials. The initial investment is significant, but with few moving parts and long life spans of up to 20 years, your return on your investment will be short in coming.
