Could an air conditioner be the best way to heat your home?

As energy prices and the cost of living continue to rise across Australia, finding the most energy-efficient and cost effective heating solution is more important than ever.

When it comes to home heating, there are many options available, from column and panel electric heaters to gas heaters and ...air conditioning?

For most Australians, the words ‘air con’ brings to mind refreshing cool air making humid summer days and nights bearable. For many of us, though, air conditioning has the potential to be an energy efficient and cost effective way to heat our homes in the cooler months.

In this article, we will explore the benefits of heating your home with an air conditioning system and why a reverse cycle air conditioner could be a smart choice.

What is a split system air conditioner?

A split system air conditioner has a wall mounted unit inside your home that, when set to cooling mode, pumps out cool air, and a larger unit (compressor and condenser) outside that expels the hot air that’s been taken out of your home. Reverse cycle split systems can be a cost effective way of heating open plan areas.

Almost all split system air conditioners are reverse cycle - in fact, you’d need to search hard to find one that isn’t. Appliances Online sells over 100 models of reverse cycle split systems and just one split system unit that provides cooling only. If you have an older split system unit in your home, though, it’s possible that it isn’t reverse cycle and therefore can’t provide heating.

What is ducted air conditioning?

Ducted air conditioning uses a network of tubing and ducts, or ceiling vents, to circulate hot or cold air throughout a building, making it a very effective way of heating a larger house. If your home already has it, great - otherwise, installation is a significant expense (up to $20,000 for an average family home) and maintenance can also be costly.

What is a portable air conditioner?

A portable air conditioner can be easily moved from room to room and doesn’t require permanent installation. It consists of a single unit that contains compressor, condenser, and evaporator components, and uses a flexible hose to exhaust hot air to the outside. Reverse cycle portable units can be effective at heating small rooms, but not larger rooms or homes.

What is a window air conditioner?

Window air conditioners, sometimes known as wall air conditioners, are installed in window or wall openings. They consist of single units that contain compressor, condenser and evaporator components, and use a system of fans and vents to cool and circulate air within a room. Reverse cycle window units can be good for heating smaller areas, but not larger homes or open plan living.

When reverse cycle air con heating isn’t an option, you have a number of other electric and gas heating choices.

Gas heaters

Gas heaters, both natural gas (piped) and LPG (cannister), can be a cost-effective heating option in many areas, particularly colder parts of the country that would otherwise require the air conditioner to work a lot harder to sufficiently heat the indoor air.

Gas heaters are generally either convector models, which spread heat throughout a large area, or older style radiant models, which have visible heating elements behind a grille and are more effective at heating the area directly in front of them.

You will need to have gas outlets in the room that you want the heater to be in, which may restrict their use to certain areas. Some gas heaters require a flue or chimney to remove combustion gases, and it's actually illegal to use unflued gas heaters in bedrooms or poorly-ventilated rooms, so it's important to check the installation requirements before use. Some States also have regulations regarding the use of gas heaters, so you should check what's allowed in your area before buying a gas heater.

Electric heaters

Fan heaters use a fan to distribute air over a heating element and into your home. They heat up quickly, so can be a good option for quickly heating smaller spaces, and can be easily moved from room to room as they are generally smaller and lighter than other portable heating options. Fan heaters are not the most energy-efficient type of heater, though, so may not be the best choice for heating your entire home.

Panel heaters, also known as convection heaters, work by heating up the air around the heating element and then circulating it through the room using natural convection currents. They are a good option for heating large spaces and are typically more energy-efficient than column heaters and electric fan heaters - and usually quieter than the latter as well. In terms of aesthetics, it’s worth noting that panel heaters can often be wall mounted, making them a more integrated and permanent heating solution than freestanding options.

Column heaters, also known as oil-filled heaters, heat up a liquid inside the heater and then use convection currents to circulate the warm air around the room. Like panel heaters, they are a good option for heating larger spaces and can be quieter and more energy-efficient than electric fan heaters, but can be heavier and more difficult to move than fan or panel heaters.

Another option, popular for those in search of a particular aesthetic, is electric fireplaces, which look like traditional wood-burning fireplaces, using LED lights or other lighting effects to simulate the look of flickering flames. These heaters use electricity to power a heating element, and fans to blow the heat out into the room.

If heating your home with an air conditioner is not an option for you, check out our Heater Buying Guide for some handy pointers on choosing a system that better suits your current needs.