Latest Newsfrom Airedale Cooling

Air Conditioning Unit

Using My Air Conditioner as a Heating Source

October 29th, 2019 by Airedale Cooling

Feeling the heat in summer usually means turning to your air conditioner, while in the winter months we try to combat the cold with radiators or electric heaters. But what if you could use your air conditioner as a heat source?

Commercial Air Conditioning

Why is an air conditioner better as a heating source?

For every kW of energy used, a traditional electric heater only produces a single kW of heat, while a heat pump can often deliver three times as many kW of heat. It’s this lack of energy efficiency which leads people to look elsewhere for heat and lower bills.

Many people don’t realise that a lot of air conditioning units can act as heat pumps, capable of providing heat, with greater output than their traditional heating system while using less energy to do it. It’s just one of the many ways you can help to reduce your energy costs along with your carbon footprint.

This is ideal for commercial premises which are in use all year round and require large spaces to be cooled in summer and heated in winter. Your office, leisure facility or school buildings can use one system for both functions through heat pump technology.

 

How heat pumps work

Semi-renewable, a heat pump works in a similar way to a refrigerator, just in reverse. Air from outside the building is pumped in through a unit (attached on the outside of the building). The air is drawn in, absorbed into the system and turned into heat via a fluid which gets compressed to raise the temperature. At this point, the heat is either distributed as warm air in your building or by providing warmth for your system.

The unit can draw in even cold air and still provide heat, but it’s normally less effort for your heat pump if you have the unit on the outside of the building placed in an area which sees a lot of sunlight. This means it will draw in warmer air and use less energy to create heat in the system.

 

The pros and cons of heat pumps

We’ve already mentioned the advantages of using air conditioning for heating, but to equip you with all the knowledge you need to make an informed decision, we’ve created a pros and cons list to consider. 

Pros of heat pumps

  • Universal heating and cooling from one unit 
  • Reduced need for other complex heating systems 
  • Easy to use with automatic settings
  • Low maintenance systems
  • The unit is easily installed to the outside of your building – saving space inside
  • Lower bills due to greater efficiency
  • No requirement for delivery of fuel
  • Better for the environment

 

Cons of heat pumps

  • Outside wall space is required for the installation
  • Efficiency can vary depending on outside temperatures

 

If you’re looking for ways to reduce your energy bills and provide heating for your building, look no further than heat pumps from Airedale Cooling Services. We’re dedicated to providing the right commercial heating and cooling systems for your space. Contact us today and our team will be able to provide friendly, professional advice on the right system for your property.

This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and deliver personalised ads. By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyse site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.

More Information Accept All Cookies