Traditional heating systems, such as gas boilers or electric heaters, can be expensive and not always convenient to install to heat your home during the cold season. However, many modern air conditioners with heating functions are becoming an increasingly popular option for creating a comfortable temperature in the home. But should you rely on an air conditioner as your main source of heating? In this article, you will learn about the advantages and disadvantages of this heating method. If you are looking for a company to install equipment for heating and air conditioning in Sacramento, we recommend paying attention to Alpha Mechanicals.
How Does The Air Conditioner Work in Heating Mode?
It is difficult to imagine a modern home without an air conditioner. It is equipped with an important function of cooling the room, which simplifies life in hot weather. But split systems have long been limited to just the function of air cooling: the basic option of most models is now heating.
In this mode, the air conditioner operates according to its standard scheme, changing the temperature in the room due to the circulation of freon through the inter-block pipes. However, the process is carried out in reverse order: under the action of the compressor, freon is compressed and heated, sending sufficiently heated air to the indoor unit.
The device operates on the principle of a heat pump, consuming a minimum of electricity, without drying the air, and allowing you to create a comfortable temperature in the house in a very short period.
Using an air conditioner as a heating device can be very effective, or it can be completely inappropriate. Much depends on the climatic conditions in which the split system will operate, as well as on the power of the device itself. One thing is certain: in regions with mild winters with temperatures of -5°C, an air conditioner in heating mode can show itself 100%.
Advantages of Heating With Air Conditioning
Compared to household heaters, an air conditioner in heating mode has several advantages. Among these, the most prominent are:
- Economical power consumption.
- High efficiency. At positive temperatures outside and slight frost, the split system gives off heat 4 times more than the consumed electricity. For household heaters, this difference is two to three times smaller.
- Ability to quickly warm up the room.
- Ability to maintain a natural level of air humidity.
- No risk of burns from an overly hot device body.
- Multifunctionality. Any air conditioner operating in heating mode in the cold season can effectively cool the room in the summer.
The method of heating with an air conditioner also has advantages over heating with a gas boiler:
- A split system is quickly and easily installed.
- No special permits are required to install a split.
- You can clean such a device from dirt and dust yourself.
- Operation of an air conditioner is safer and more environmentally friendly.
- The price of a domestic split system is lower than the cost of a heating boiler.
Features of Using an Air Conditioning System to Heat a House
Despite a lot of obvious advantages, the method of heating a house with an air conditioner also has quite significant drawbacks. One of the main disadvantages of this system is its sensitivity to low temperatures.
Most modern split systems are capable of heating rooms efficiently only at positive temperatures outside and with slight frost. The efficiency of the air conditioner in heating mode drops in direct proportion to the decrease in the mark on the outdoor thermometer: as soon as this mark falls below -5 °C, the efficiency of the device decreases.
Many models of air conditioners in the mid-price category are completely contraindicated to work at temperatures below -8-10 °C: the oil in the compressor freezes in this case, it becomes more difficult for the device to perform heat exchange of air and it risks not only not coping with its task, but also failing.
More expensive split systems are usually protected from such risks thanks to the installed heating elements, so they can operate at temperatures down to -15-20 °C (some models can withstand even -30°C). However, their efficiency still becomes low.
Another important nuance is uneven heating. When the internal unit of the split system is located on the ceiling/in the upper part of the wall, the heat will be very weakly felt in the floor area. If there is no underfloor heating system in the house, this moment can create severe discomfort. In such cases, it is recommended to install climate control sensors, which will take on the function of evenly distributing warm air throughout the room.
For What Rooms Is The Air Conditioner Suitable?
You can use the air conditioner for heating in apartments, private houses, and summer cottages. The maximum air temperature they can pump is 27 °C (and 24 °C in Auto mode). However, how accurately it will be maintained throughout the room depends on the nominal heating power (and the thermal insulation of the heated object).
The specification usually indicates what area the equipment is intended for. You can use the following figures as a guide:
- 2 kW models are designed for rooms up to 20 m².
- 2.5 kW – for rooms up to 25 m².
- 3 kW – up to 35 m².
- 5 kW – up to 50 m².
- 7 kW – up to 70 m².
If you need to heat several rooms at once with a total area of more than 70 m², it is better to install a multi-split system with one external unit and several internal ones, or several separate air conditioners. For commercial premises and offices, there are special industrial systems.
Final Thoughts
Only residents of regions where frosty winters are rare should trust the air conditioner to heat their houses. In this case, the split system will cope with the function of heating even very large rooms, and the electricity bills will not be as frightening as in the situation with many household heaters. It is also worth remembering that the air conditioner is not able to become a full-fledged replacement for central heating, its function is only auxiliary. If you need help with the installation or replacement of heating and air conditioning equipment in Sacramento, we recommend contacting Alpha Mechanicals.
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