Modern air conditioning systems are air-to-air heat pumps, which can also be used for heating. But how exactly does that work? And what are the advantages and disadvantages of air conditioning as heating? You can read it in this blog post.
Air conditioning as heating: the story of Julie and David
Julie and David bought a detached house built in the 1960s that they thoroughly renovated. Both the living areas and the bedrooms were originally heated with an electrical system. They replaced it with an energy-efficient and user-friendly air-to-air heat pump from Daikin. David: "The choice for an air-to-air heat pump was quickly made. On the one hand because of the exceptionally low power consumption. On the other hand because of the high level of comfort, such as the fast response time and the possibility to both heat and cool. Our rooms are warm within ten minutes in the winter. In the summer we can cool the rooms down in a few minutes.” To provide the heat pump with electricity, the couple also had solar panels installed on the roof. “Thanks to our solar panels, we have greatly reduced our energy costs for heating and cooling,” they say happily.
Heating and cooling based on cool air
The air conditioning systems that allow you to cool and heat are also called heat pumps. They transport heat from one environment to another using a coolant. Innovative air-to-air heat pumps are an environmentally friendly way to extract heat from the air. For example, in the summer you can use the air conditioning to cool the rooms in your house. The heat from inside is then discharged to the outside. In the winter, you reverse the process. The heat pump then extracts heat from the outside air – this is even possible at an outside temperature of -15°C – and then releases that heat to the inside air, in order to heat your home.
The advantages of heating with air conditioning
If you decide to buy air conditioning, you may want it to do more than just cool or heat the air. A modern air conditioning system creates a perfect indoor climate. The very best air conditioners even filter the air for unhealthy or irritating particles, such as pollen. Such an integrated system has many advantages: You can connect one outdoor unit to multiple indoor units. You then control each indoor unit separately, for an optimal temperature in each room. The compact heat pumps are easy to install. Even if you only have limited space in your home, it is possible to install one. The advanced inverter and heat pump technologies ensure optimal efficiency and maximum energy savings. You will quickly notice this in your wallet! The air conditioners are available in various models, such as wall or floor models. There is certainly a unit that fits seamlessly with your interior.
The disadvantages of heating with air conditioning
If you are renovating, you cannot connect an air-to-air heat pump to existing heat emission systems, such as radiators or underfloor heating. If you want to keep them, you can combine them with an air-to-water heat pump. Also important: you can connect a maximum of five indoor units to one outdoor unit of an air-to-air heat pump. Do you want to cool and heat more rooms? Then consider a different heat pump system, such as an air-to-water heat pump.
What does air conditioning with heating cost?
The price of an air conditioner that can both cool and heat depends on many different factors, such as the number of indoor units, the type of indoor unit, the capacity, the options, etc. For a detailed quote, please contact an installer in your area. Tip: if you are renovating and have a heat pump installed, you may be eligible for a subsidy.
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Find the answers to all the questions you might have about air-to-air heat pumps and how they can work for you
The air-to-air heat pump indoor unit is the part of an air-to-air heat pump system that’s located within the home, and provides the conditioned air into the space.
The choice of an air-to-air heat pump indoor unit depends on your specific needs but it's important to understand how the system works as a whole. There are different air-to-air heat pump systems (also known as air conditioners), each with its own unique characteristics. One of the most popular types used in homes is a split system, which is split into two units: one indoors and one outdoors. While heating, the outdoor unit extracts heat from the outside air and transfers it inside via the indoor unit, or reverse when cooling your home.
There are three types of air-to-air heat pump indoor units:
Wall-mounted units
Wall-mounted models (Stylish, Ururu Sarara, Daikin Emura, Perfera,) come in different sizes and colours to match with your interior.
Floor-standing units
Floor-standing models (Perfera Floor) are compact air conditioner that fit perfectly under a window sill or in a room where the height is limited.
Concealed ceiling units
Concealed ceiling units. If you don't want a visible indoor unit, a concealed air-to-air heat pump can be installed in suspended ceilings or false walls.
The air-to-air heat pump indoor unit is the part of an air-to-air heat pump system that’s located within the home, and provides the conditioned air into the space.
The choice of an air-to-air heat pump indoor unit depends on your specific needs but it's important to understand how the system works as a whole. There are different air-to-air heat pump systems (also known as air conditioners), each with its own unique characteristics. One of the most popular types used in homes is a split system, which is split into two units: one indoors and one outdoors. While heating, the outdoor unit extracts heat from the outside air and transfers it inside via the indoor unit, or reverse when cooling your home.
There are three types of air-to-air heat pump indoor units:
Wall-mounted units
Wall-mounted models (Stylish, Ururu Sarara, Daikin Emura, Perfera,) come in different sizes and colours to match with your interior.
Floor-standing units
Floor-standing models (Perfera Floor) are compact air conditioner that fit perfectly under a window sill or in a room where the height is limited.
Concealed ceiling units
Concealed ceiling units. If you don't want a visible indoor unit, a concealed air-to-air heat pump can be installed in suspended ceilings or false walls.
Yes, and if you renovate your property and switch to renewable air-to-air heat pumps, you will add value to your renovated home, the environment and your pocket. Heat pumps can be installed in almost any home. There are, however some considerations that may need to be addressed, particularly regarding insulation. In order for a heat pump to function at its most efficient, your home needs to be well-insulated to prevent as much heat from escaping as possible. A suitably qualified heating engineer can advise you on what needs to be done in your home in order for it to be appropriate for a heat pump system. This might include upgrading the insulation of your walls and roof. You also need to consider location. The outdoor unit will need to be installed outside your home and should be in a place that you can access easily when you need to clean the unit, adjust its settings or have the heat pump serviced.
Yes, an air-to-air heat pump (also known as an air conditioner) can bring hot water to your home. With Daikin's Multi+ solution, heating, cooling and hot water are supplied with one system. It connects up to three units and one domestic hot water tank and is compatible with a 90 and 120-litre tank and a wide range of indoor units, offering unrivalled flexibility. Our Multi+ solution includes an intuitive full-text display on the domestic hot water tank for monitoring and adjustment of all settings, including scheduling and water temperature.
Daikin's air-to-air heat pumps (also known as air conditioners) can give you relief from your allergies because they can capture the allergens in the heat pump filter and improve the quality of air that you are breathing. Not only do our air-to-air heat pumps keep you warm and cool but they are also removing pollutants, pollen and particle matter from your breathing space.
Some Daikin units are also equipped with a Flash Streamer and different filters like the titanium apatite deodorising filter or the silver allergen removal filter, which are able to reduce the pollutants in the air quickly and efficiently.
No! Furthermore, our air-to-air heat pumps (also known as air conditioners) can help reduce the symptoms of allergies. Daikin integrates multiple filters in all its air conditioning units: titanium deodorising filters, silver allergen filters and flash streamers remove dust and capture bacteria. With proper air conditioning maintenance, and as long as they are cleaned regularly, these filters will provide cleaner, healthier air for everyone to breathe.
For your heat pump to function as it should, it is essential that the system is installed correctly. Only an authorised technician should carry out the installation and in a suitable location. The surface must be firm enough to withstand the weight and vibrations of the unit and there must also be sufficient space for airflow and for connecting pipes and power cables. Any plants or shrubs that may be located near your heat pump should be at least a metre away and regularly pruned. The pump should also be installed in a place that’s easy to access for services and other general maintenance.
We often get asked why we can’t put the heat pump inside. Could they not be placed in the loft or conservatory? The answer to this is no. This is because, after a few hours, the heat pump will have extracted all of the warmth from the trapped air, effectively turning this space into a freezer. This is why air-to-air heat pumps need access to the free-flowing outside air.
We advise having a service done by a qualified engineer once a year. Scheduled servicing, regular maintenance spot-checks and routine cleaning of the system will extend its lifespan and maintain its energy efficiency.
Here are some signs your air-to-air heat pump (also known as air conditioner) needs immediate maintenance:
If your air conditioner unit makes more noise than usual, the filters may be clogged. Clean the unit by removing dust with a vacuum cleaner. If the same noise persists or you hear a gurgling sound, there could be a mechanical issue. A qualified technician should then be called to examine the unit.
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