It’s a hot topic in the world of renewable energy: is heating with air conditioning cheaper than central heating boiler? The answer?
Fact, with a few nuances.
At current energy prices (current 2024), heating with air conditioning is cheaper than central heating boiler, provided the situation is favorable. We are happy to explain it to you.
How efficient is a central heating boiler versus an air conditioner?
For starters, how do these two systems heat? A traditional central heating boiler uses gas to generate heat. This heat is sent through water pipes to your radiators to bring your home up to temperature. Simple and effective.
An air conditioner with a heating function, also called an air-to-air heat pump, works completely differently. Instead of generating its own heat, it draws heat from the outside air (even at low temperatures). It then blows that heat inside to heat your space.
The numbers: what does it cost?
In order not to turn this article into a technical lesson, we’ll keep it practical. Suppose the price of gas is €1.35 per m³ and the price of electricity is €0.50 per kWh.
A modern central heating boiler achieves an efficiency of about 95%, which means that almost all the energy from the gas is converted into heat. For 1 m³ of gas, you get about 8.8 kWh of heat, which amounts to a heating cost of €1.35 per m³ of gas.
An air conditioner has an average efficiency rating (COP) of 400%. This means that every kWh of electricity you put into it produces 4 kWh of heat. So for the same 8.8 kWh of heat, the air conditioner needs about 2.2 kWh of electricity. That will cost you about €1.10.
Summary: In this example, the air conditioner is clearly cheaper than the central heating boiler. But that’s not the whole story.
The benefits of air conditioning
Heating with an air conditioner has benefits beyond cost:
- Fast heating: An air conditioner often heats a room faster than a central heating boiler.
- Dual function: In summer, you use the same air conditioner for cooling.
- Energy efficient: The high efficiency extracts more heat from less energy.
- Air quality: Many air conditioners filter the air, nice for people with allergies.
The disadvantages of air conditioning
It may sound like air conditioning wins everything, but there are areas of concern:
- Efficiency in cold: At temperatures below freezing, an air conditioner’s efficiency drops. As a result, it uses more electricity.
- Limited coverage: An air conditioner usually heats only one room. For multiple rooms, you need additional units, which increases the cost.
- Noise: Both the indoor and outdoor units make noise, which can sometimes be disturbing.
So, heating with air conditioning cheaper than central heating boiler, fact or fable?
In many cases, heating with air conditioning is cheaper than central heating boiler. That makes this a fact! But as with everything in sustainability, it depends on your personal situation. A well-insulated home, mild winters and an air conditioner with high efficiency make all the difference. Do you have an old house or live in an area with harsh winters? Then the central heating boiler can still be more efficient.
Want to know what is the best option for you? The Sustainable Boys will be happy to help you with personal advice. Together we will find the heating solution that best suits your situation!
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