The title question is a common question people ask their heating and conditioning contractor in Sacramento, CA who spend a lot of energy heating their homes in the winter and cooling their homes with air conditioning in the warm season. A reversible air conditioner can disperse heat in the winter and cool air in the summer, but is it powerful enough to replace both the heating system and the air conditioner? Before deciding to buy one, you need to consider various factors. Starting with an assessment of your energy needs and the configuration of your home. In this article, we have revealed the main provisions of this issue.
What is a reversible air conditioner?
A reversible air conditioner is a so-called “two-in-one” unit. It is able to warm your house in winter when it is cold outside, and cool it in summer, even during the heat. His work is very simple.
It consists of a module placed outside your home and another module located inside the main room, or the one you want to heat first. These two modules are connected by a refrigerant that circulates heat or cold from one module to the other. In the summer, the heat that stagnates inside your home is pumped out and then released outside your home. In winter, the opposite is true: cold air is pumped in from outside, converted into heat through the refrigerant, and then dispersed into the house.
In short, with reversible air conditioning, your home will be able to enjoy a balanced and moderate temperature all year round. The temperature will be regulated using one device.
Reversible air conditioning and Air-to-air heat pumps
However, be careful, HVAC contractors would warn you not to make a fairly common mistake: it is important to distinguish between reversible air conditioning and air-to-air heat pumps.
Since they both work on the same principle (heating the house in winter and cooling in summer), many people tend to confuse them. They differ in many parameters: price, efficiency, and energy consumption.
An air-to-air heat pump takes up less space than a reversible air conditioner but is generally much less efficient. When it is in reverse mode, its energy consumption increases significantly compared to normal mode and can increase your electricity bill. It will also cost you a lot more when you install it.
Advantages of a reversible air conditioner
As noted by companies such as Alpha Mechanicals, sales of reversible air conditioners have increased dramatically in the United States and most European countries in recent years. These modern devices owe their success to the many advantages they bring:
- First of all, they allow 100% regulation of the temperature of your home, throughout the year. This system is very intuitive and very easy to use even for people who are not used to this type of interface. It is also very reliable and easily repaired or replaced in case of damage.
- In addition, a reversible air conditioner improves the air quality in your home. This parameter is important to consider for the elderly or all people who are sensitive and have a fragile body, especially due to pollution or sudden changes in temperature. With a reversible air conditioner, you have more chances to keep your health.
- From a logistical point of view, since this air conditioner works as a two-in-one device, you will save a lot of space in your interior. There is no need to apply air conditioning and auxiliary heaters. This factor is very important if you live in a small house or apartment. With a reversible air conditioner instead of old heating devices, you will free up space for placing other functional or decorative elements.
- Finally, a reversible air conditioner is less energy intensive than an air-to-air heat pump. This means that it consumes much less electricity than the latter. Overall, it will use less energy than your oldest appliances. Therefore, in the long run, you are guaranteed significant savings. Hence the interest in choosing the right air conditioner.
Disadvantages of reversible air conditioning
Despite the numerous advantages, the reversible air conditioner has some disadvantages, which are important to remember before starting a possible purchase.
- First of all, depending on the region in which you live, it can be difficult to use it optimally. If the weather conditions around your home are too harsh, if the summer or winter temperatures are too extreme, then maybe your reverse air conditioner is experiencing some difficulty in working properly. It is best to live in a region with a temperate climate, where the winters are not too harsh and the summers are not too hot.
- In addition to the energy savings you will get in the long run, you also have to consider certain costs associated with a reversible air conditioner, which can sometimes be expensive, especially in terms of installation and maintenance with a heating and conditioning company. It is always recommended to contact a specialist company such as Alpha Mechanicals and use the services of a professional to install your device and take care of its maintenance. Without it, you run the risk of making a mistake that can lead to a failure in work, and therefore to a deterioration in performance.
- Finally, the last drawback of the reversible air conditioner that must be taken into account is the noise that the outdoor unit makes during its operation. It is for this reason that you should avoid installing it, for example, under a bedroom window. The continuous sound emitted during the operation of the device can affect the quality of your sleep or rest. So that this situation does not happen to you, prefer to install the outdoor unit on the roof, or away from the windows, near which you usually rest.
Conclusion
To the question: “Is it possible to heat the house with an air conditioner?”, the answer is positive. Reversible air conditioners are efficient and can replace the heating system. Their advantage is that they have the features to give you everything you are looking for for your well-being in one device. You just need to know the limits of the device and whether they are suitable for your use. However, heating may not be sufficient in case of extreme cold. Therefore, it is necessary to install additional heating or optimize the insulation of the house.
