Did you know that you can use your air conditioner even in winter? More and more people are choosing to heat their homes with the air conditioner’s heat pump, a practical, efficient, and sustainable solution.
Indeed! We are used to turning it on to cool rooms during the summer, but modern models with inverter technology also allow for heating with the air conditioner, ideal for facing winter while keeping energy consumption low.
Why use the air conditioner in winter?
The heat pump air conditioner can be an excellent alternative for home comfort because:
- It allows you to heat your home quickly. On average, it takes about 15 minutes to heat a room to the desired temperature, unlike stoves or radiators that take much longer.
- It doesn’t use gas since it works exclusively with electricity.
- It requires little maintenance: unlike a boiler, only periodic filter cleaning is needed.
When to choose the air conditioner?
The choice of heating with the air conditioner depends on several factors. You should definitely consider:
- climatic conditions and geographical location of the building;
- home’s thermal insulation (windows, wall insulation, roof insulation);
- type of electrical supply and contract;
- air conditioner model and energy efficiency class;
- Usage habits.
Choose it if…
The air conditioner is perfect for those living in areas with a mild or temperate climate, where winter temperatures stay above 5 °C. It is particularly suitable for small, well-insulated spaces where warm air lasts longer and the inverter system adjusts the power output, reducing consumption.
It’s also a convenient solution as a supplement to other heating systems, ideal for quickly warming rooms used only for a few hours. It becomes even more advantageous when combined with a photovoltaic system or a favorable electricity tariff, allowing you to use low-cost energy while reducing gas usage and emissions.
When it’s not convenient: in very cold climates, in large or poorly insulated homes, or if the electrical system is not suitable for the required power. These conditions would decrease efficiency and increase consumption.
How does heating with the air conditioner work?
Heating with the air conditioner is based on the air-to-air heat pump principle: a system that transfers heat from a colder environment (outside) to a warmer one (inside) without generating it through combustion.
In practice, the air conditioner does not “create” heat like a stove or boiler, but moves it: it extracts thermal energy from the outdoor air and distributes it inside your home.
Inverter technology
Modern air conditioners with inverter technology automatically adjust the compressor speed according to the required heating level:
- when first turned on, the air conditioner operates at maximum power to quickly reach the set temperature;
- then it reduces power, keeping the indoor climate stable with minimal electricity consumption.
Thanks to this system, you can achieve energy savings of 20%–40%* compared to traditional on/off models, avoiding continuous starts and stops and optimizing energy efficiency.
*These are indicative estimates; actual savings depend on usage patterns (the longer the operating time, the greater the advantage of inverter systems), home size and insulation, and outdoor temperature.
Heating management becomes smart
Activating heating with the air conditioner is very simple: just select the Heat mode or the sun icon on the remote control.
But everything becomes even easier with air conditioners connected to the hOn app:
- activate or schedule operation directly from the app;
- choose the program — in this case Heat (up to 30 °C) — and set the temperature, fan speed, and airflow direction;
- monitor consumption thanks to real-time statistics;
- perform check-ups directly from the app or follow simple instructions for filter cleaning.
With the hOn app, technology and comfort come together to face winter effortlessly — manage your home temperature intelligently, reduce energy use, and enjoy a personalized, worry-free domestic experience.
