Modern air conditioning systems are not only suitable for cooling, but can also serve as an efficient heating solution. Especially in the transitional periods or in well-insulated buildings, heating with an air conditioning system can be an efficient alternative. In the following overview, you can find out how the heating mode of a Carrier air conditioning system works, under which conditions the heating function pays off and what costs you can expect.
Air conditioning systems work with a closed circuit system in which a refrigerant circulates. The refrigerant circuit must be reversible so that the air conditioning system can also heat. In regular cooling mode, the system transfers heat from the interior to the outside. In heating mode, the process works the other way round: the system extracts heat from the outside air and brings it inside.
Info: All Carrier split air conditioning systems have a heating function that allows you to heat even at sub-zero temperatures. They have one outdoor unit and up to five indoor units that can be used for heating at temperatures as low as -15 °C.
The outdoor unit draws in air from outside with the help of a fan and transfers it to the evaporator. A refrigerant circulates there, which evaporates and enters the compressor. Compression of the refrigerant causes its temperature to rise sharply. The heated refrigerant is transported to the indoor unit, where it releases the heat into the room air and becomes liquid again.
The heating function of an air conditioning system works on the principle of a heat pump and is therefore also referred to as an air-to-air heat pump. In contrast to the air-to-water heat pump, which transfers heat to radiators or underfloor heating systems and can also provide hot water for the household, the air conditioning system heats the room air directly and quickly.
Especially in well-insulated buildings and at moderate temperatures, when the central heating system is not needed to its full extent, heating with air conditioning can be economical. Air conditioning is also a flexible alternative if you only want to heat certain rooms, e.g. the study or guest room. An individual consultation will help you find the right Carrier solution for your needs. The following factors can have an impact on cost-effectiveness:
Building insulation: A well-insulated building requires less heating power as less heat is lost. New buildings with modern thermal insulation in particular therefore offer optimum conditions for heating with the air conditioning system. In poorly insulated rooms, energy consumption can be higher, which can increase operating costs. However, retrofitting an air conditioning system is also possible in older buildings.
Outdoor temperatures: Air conditioning systems are particularly efficient in the transitional period and on mild winter days. On very cold days, the heating performance may decrease somewhat, as the system requires more energy to extract heat from the outside air. In regions with extremely cold winters, it can therefore make sense to combine the air conditioning system with an additional heating system.
Power source and energy costs: Economical operation also depends on the power source and energy costs. High electricity costs arise in particular if the air conditioning system is used for heating in poorly insulated rooms or is permanently set to high temperatures. If you have a photovoltaic system, you can use the self-generated electricity for heating and thus reduce operating costs.
Service life and maintenance: Regular maintenance of the air conditioning system not only improves energy efficiency, but also extends the service life of the system. An annual check by specialist personnel ensures that the air conditioning system is working efficiently.
The operating costs of heating with air conditioning depend on several factors - in particular electricity consumption, electricity prices and the efficiency of the system. It is not possible to make a general assessment of the heating costs of an air conditioning system. However, an energy consultant or specialist tradesman can help you determine the approximate costs.
The SCOP (Seasonal Coefficient of Performance), which indicates how efficiently an air conditioning system works over an entire year, is a decisive value for economic efficiency. Carrier air conditioning units achieve SCOP values of 4.0 to 5.1, which means that they generate 4.0 to 5.1 kWh of heat from 1 kWh of electricity. The higher the SCOP value, the more efficiently the system works.
Example calculation:
Assuming an air conditioning system has an SCOP of 4 and an annual heating output of 10,000 kWh, it would consume around 2,500 kWh of electricity.
At an electricity price of 34 cents/kWh, this results in annual heating costs of €1,700 (5,000 kWh * €0.34/kWh).
In poorly insulated buildings or at very low outside temperatures, the actual consumption may be higher, as the efficiency of the system may be lower.
Heating with an air conditioning system can be a practical and cost-effective solution. It is particularly suitable for spot heating and can reduce operating costs when combined with a photovoltaic system. However, it is not recommended as the sole source of heating for colder regions or poorly insulated buildings. All the advantages and disadvantages of heating with air conditioning at a glance:
No, not all air conditioning systems can heat. Only models with a reversible refrigerant circuit are able to recover heat from the outside air and transfer it to the interior in addition to cooling. These Carrier split systems have the heating function: 40WHM, 40WHH, 40WHP.
Modern air conditioning systems are usually very quiet indoors as they operate at a low fan speed. The volume of Carrier air conditioners is between 19 and 48 dB (compare with refrigerator in operation). However, the outdoor unit can be somewhat louder.
With Carrier air conditioners, the temperature of the heating function can be conveniently set using an intuitive remote control. They can also be controlled via the Carrier in the Air app.
A wall opening for the cables is required for the connection between the indoor and outdoor units. A specialist company should carry out the installation and commissioning to ensure optimum efficiency and operational safety.
Whether an air conditioning system is worthwhile as the sole heating solution depends on several factors. In well-insulated new buildings, it can be an efficient alternative, especially when combined with a photovoltaic system. In poorly insulated buildings or regions with very cold winters, however, it is often not sufficient and should be supplemented with an additional heating system.
