Split air conditioner or heat pump: when to choose which?
More and more people also use their air conditioner as heater. That's convenient and efficient, especially in well-insulated spaces. For the main heating of your entire house, a heat pump is often a better choice. In this article, you can read when it's best to choose a split air conditioner or a heat pump.
When it's smart to go for a split air conditioner
A split air conditioner is actually an air air heat pump. It heats the space it's in superfast. This makes it ideal when you work from home or only use the living room. You don't have to turn on the entire central heating boiler. This way, you save gas and costs.
An air conditioner is also useful for the spring and fall. It's a bit too cold outside, but you don't want to fully turn on the heating yet. You can turn on the split air conditioner and feel a difference witin 5 minutes.
Do you have solar panels? You can use your own solar power to heat. This way, you can lower your energy costs even more.
When a heat pump is the better choice
Do you want to heat your entire house sustainably via floor heating or radiators? And also make hot water? It's better to use an air-water heat pump. It works as main heating and provides warm tap water. A heat pump is a smart choice if you want to use less gas or want to completely step away from gas.
An air-water heat pump works best in a well-insulated house. So is your house ready for the transfer? This is the most future-proof choice.
Split air conditioner and heat pump: this is the difference
| Split air conditioner | Heat pump | |
|---|---|---|
| Heats 1 space | Yes | Only with separate units |
| Heats entire house | No | Yes |
| Works as main heating | No | Yes |
| Cools in the summer | Yes | No |
| Warm water | No | Yes |
| Runs on power | Yes | Yes |
| Can be combined with solar panels | Yes | Yes |
| ISDE subsidy possible | No | Yes, from € 2125 |