Inexpensive alternative to gas heating: Split air conditioning instead of a heat pump?

Germany is looking for cheap alternatives to the classic gas heating that is installed in millions of households. The heat pump is one of the best solutions. However, a split air conditioner could also be a good solution for some people.

Split air conditioners can also heat efficiently

At least since Germany wanted to become independent of Russian gas, more and more people are interested in alternatives to normal gas heating. Heat pumps are the ideal solution, but they are currently extremely popular and expensive. Because of this focus more on split air conditioners. Known from many warmer countries in Europe, where the typical compressors with large fans hang on the buildings. Exactly this picture could also be encountered more frequently in Germany in the future. Since it doesn’t get too cold there in winter, the devices are not only used for cooling, but also for additional heating.

Many people have only known since the gas crisis that that split air conditioners exist and are actually very efficient air to air heat pumps. The refrigerant moves back and forth between the compressor on the outside and the indoor unit, cooling or heating the room – to put it simply. It is only important that there is a certain temperature difference and enough circulating air for the compressor. In addition, a split air conditioner requires electricity. This is converted into cooling or heating power. This works just as efficiently as with a classic heat pump.

If you install a split air conditioning system, you naturally have the advantage in summer that it can also be used for cooling. After all, it is an air conditioner. So there is a gain in comfort, even if the actual intention was to be able to heat in winter.

The energy generated with a balcony power plant can at least somewhat meet the needs of a split air conditioner:

What can a split air conditioner really do?

In principle, a house or apartment can be completely heated with a split air conditioning system. A multi-split outdoor unit is required for this. It is a large outdoor compressor with the ability to connect multiple indoor units. Because every room in the house or apartment requires its own indoor unit that can be controlled individually. You should definitely get advice from a professional, because that’s how it works for an entire building around 10,000 to 20,000 eurosthat such a conversion can cost. And there is no hot water treatment at all. For this you need an additional solution that costs extra. With a classic heat pump, this is also taken over.

If you only want to cool or heat a single room, then single-split air conditioners are a cheap solution (view at Amazon). According to the rule of thumb, a 3.4 kW device is sufficient for normal-sized rooms with normal insulation. A more powerful system is needed in an old building with poor insulation or very large rooms. A smaller system is sufficient for smaller or very well insulated rooms.

In the USA there is already a simple and affordable retrofit heat pump for every apartment:

You don’t just install a split air conditioning system that quickly. You need to connect the outdoor unit to the indoor units. This requires core drilling. In Germany, such devices may only be put into operation by air-conditioning installers, because despite the “Quick Connect” lines that anyone can actually plug together, the coolant used there is not harmless. If you live in an apartment, you also need the permission of the landlord and the apartment owners’ association, since the exterior of a building will be changed. So it’s not as easy as people like to say it is.

Why you should not use a fan heater for heating:

Is a split air conditioner worth it?

Everyone has to decide that for themselves based on the building structure of the house or apartment, the available options and their wallet. There is simply no blanket answer for this. That is why professional advice is so important. Even if a single-split air conditioner only costs a few hundred euros to buy, the installation can cost twice or three times as much. If you’re really looking for an alternative to gas heating, you have to look consult a heating contractor. He is familiar with all the options and funding. This is the only way you can make the right decision.