Air conditioner vs. radiator for heating

Air conditioner with inverter technology

Using an air conditioner to heat your home was far from efficient before the arrival of inverter technology. The compressor continuously switched between on and off, causing a high energy consumption and a shorter lifespan of the appliance. Luckily inverter technology now allows an air conditioner to use electricity efficiently, so that it becomes an interesting alternative for a radiator.

An important note here is that this is only true when the outdoor temperatures are not excessively cold. An air conditioner can be a versatile support and a less expensive solution than gas heating, but mainly in areas that enjoy a southern climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters.

When is heating with an air conditioner a good choice?

Since an air conditioning system is greatly affected by external temperatures, heating with an air conditioner is only convenient when winter temperatures are not excessively low. If you use it below 5°c, for example, there is a risk that ice will form. In this case the system will have to use its heat alternately for heating the house and melting external ice. This significantly lowers the air conditioner’s efficiency and increases operating costs.

Moreover, the split of the air conditioner is installed in individual rooms. This means it only heats the room where it’s located. This can be a great advantage since you don’t need to heat an entire central heating system, but the room needs to be sufficiently small – up to about 50 m2 – for the air conditioner to work quickly and efficiently.

A final aspect to consider is the presence of photovoltaic panels. If these are installed in sunny areas, they are efficient even in winter and can reduce the cost of heating with an air conditioner to practically zero. However, if it’s not possible to draw electricity from a renewable source, you must reckon with a higher electricity bill.

Advantages of an air conditioner

There are several reasons why a lot of people now prefer an air conditioner to radiator heating. Firstly, there is the financial aspect as the purchase and maintenance cost of an air conditioner is lower than a boiler with radiators. Especially in regions such as China, where there are numerous local air conditioner manufacturers. Add to this the charges for electricity that are lower than gas and the possibility to integrate the air conditioner with a photovoltaic system to create nearly free heating and you’ve got a very interesting financial picture.

Moreover, an air conditioner is very easy to install and doesn’t require the same level of maintenance as a boiler. You only need to clean the filters once in a while. Plus, the dual use means you can easily save valuable wall space as you don’t need to install separate heat emitters.

Also in areas without gas lines or where it might be dangerous to use gas, the air conditioner can be used without concern.

Disadvantages of an air conditioner

When you install an air conditioner, you also need to install an external motor. This can potentially be a problem if you have limited outdoor space or live in a very old house. On top of that, an air conditioner can cause unexpected changes in humidity. Especially in winter this can have unpleasant side effects such as dry skin, respiratory issues and aggravated allergies. However, regular cleaning of the air conditioner’s filters and the installation of a humidifier can solve this quickly.

Conclusion

In the end it’s safe to say that using an air conditioner for heating instead of a radiator is convenient, but only in certain situations. Since there are so many factors involved, it’s important to find the right balance between gas and air conditioning. Therefore, we strongly recommend you contact an HVAC professional before making a final decision on this matter. He or she will be able to help you calculate the costs and benefits of each option taking into account location, efficiency, use, etc.