With warmer periods of weather becoming more frequent Air Conditioning (AC) units have become more popular in UK households. This trend continues to increase despite us getting very little in the way of glorious sunshine. The average temperatures are still on the rise and homeowners are making the decision to make living more comfortable.
Whilst Air Conditioning is something most of us will associate with being on Holiday or in the office more and more people are making the change. A little known fact is the right systems not only cool but also provide heating, giving you a year round solution.
This article will explore whether you should consider installer an AC unit, the benefits, cons, costs and how it compares to other heating / cooling solutions.
What is an Air Conditioning Unit?
Let’s start with what actually is an Air Conditioning Unit? Simply put they are devices that control the temperature and humidity of your room by cooling or heating the air. Traditional air conditioning units are designed primarily for cooling using refrigerant to extract heat from the indoor air and expel it outside.
However as with all things technological advancements have been made! Modern units now come equipped with reverse-cycle technology allowing them to function similar to heat pumps. This means you can now cool your house in the summer and heat it in the winter.
This dual functionality makes them an increasingly popular option for us in the UK, the fact we can go from shorts a t-shirt weather one day to snow the next an AC unit is an attractive proposition.
The Rise of Air Conditioning in the UK
Historically air conditioning hasn’t been a common feature in most homes in the UK, partly due to our mild climate but also its only thought of to cool the temperature not heat. However as we’ve seen in recent summers (not this year) we are seeing increasingly intense heatwaves making people reassess their need for reliable indoor cooling.
Over the last few years, the UK has seen its hottest day on record coming in at 40.3 C. During the day I love it but when its time for bed what I would do for that instant cooling.
Types of Air Conditioning Units
To make it confusing, there are different options available, these suit all budgets and needs. Some being more temporary options for short periods of cooling to full systems that will control the temperature of your whole house.
- Portable AC Units: These are freestanding units that can be moved between rooms. They are affordable and easy to install, perfect temporary solution with no skill required to set up.
- Split-System Units: These have an indoor and outdoor component and are more efficient than portable units. They offer both cooling and heating capabilities but are typically used for just one room such as a bedroom.
- Ducted Systems: Ideal for larger homes, ducted systems can control the climate in multiple rooms. However, with larger systems comes increased cost and expertise required to install.
- Reverse-Cycle Air Conditioners: These are essentially heat pumps that can provide both heating in winter and cooling in summer. They offer high energy efficiency, making them a strong contender for those who want a year-round solution.
How Air Conditioning Units Compare to Other Systems
The key selling point in recent times for modern AC units is their ability to provide both heating and cooling. This means they could be a viable alternative to traditional gas boilers, potentially even a better option with the added cooling benefit.
Let’s look at a direct comparison between Air conditioning units and a normal gas boiler:
When comparing the costs of heating an average 3 bedroom house in the UK to 19°C using an air conditioning unit versus a traditional gas boiler, there are significant differences in both energy consumption and cost.
Gas Boiler:
An average gas boiler in the UK is about 80-90% efficient, which means that for every 1 kWh of gas used 0.8 to 0.9 kWh is turned into heat. Gas costs are currently around 6.24p per kWh under the latest energy price cap, effective from October 2024. For an average 3 bed house, it’s estimated that around 12,000-15,000 kWh of energy is needed annually for heating, which would bring the cost for heating to roughly £750-937.50 per year using a gas boiler.
Air Conditioning Unit:
Modern air conditioning systems, which use heat pump technology, can be much more efficient when it comes to heating. For every 1 kWh of electricity used, a heat pump can produce 2-4 kWh of heat, making it 200-400% efficient. The cost of electricity is currently about 24.50p per kWh. Based on this, if an air conditioning system required 4,000-5,000 kWh of electricity annually for heating (due to its high efficiency), the cost would be approximately £980-1,225.
How they compare
So, the take aways from this are AC units are more efficient but due to the higher cost of electricity will be slightly more expensive to run. A gas boiler remains a cheaper option for heating, costing around £200-£300 less per year than an air conditioning unit.
However, it’s not as clear cut as that. If you have Solar PV installed on your property, already you are bringing down the running costs. Equally we are forgetting the main reason you would consider changing…. AC units also cool the temperature! For what is a marginal increase in running costs, that could be offset with the use of Solar and offers the addition of cooling I could see it being an attractive option for many.
Pros and Cons of Air Conditioning in the UK
Still unsure if its for you? Below we have broken down some of the standout pros and cons to installing an air conditioning unit:
Pros:
- Year-Round Climate Control: With both heating and cooling functions, reverse-cycle AC units can be used all year, offering flexibility.
- Comfort in Hot Weather: As UK summers become hotter, air conditioning can help maintain a comfortable indoor environment.
- Energy Efficiency: AC units, especially those using heat pump technology, are highly efficient, particularly in moderate climates like the UK.
Cons:
- Upfront Costs: AC units, particularly split or ducted systems, can be expensive to install. A split-system air conditioner can cost between £1,500-£3,000 for installation. Although if this is to replace an old boiler, the costs are not dissimilar to a new boiler.
- Running Costs: Due to the higher price of electricity, heating a home with an AC unit can be more expensive than with gas central heating, although cooling costs remain modest for the summer months.
- Environmental Impact: Older models of air conditioning units have a reputation for being energy-intensive and harmful to the environment. However, newer models with better refrigerants and energy-saving modes have mitigated many of these issues.
Should You Get One?
Only you can decide that, but it will come down to your specific needs, budget and how you expect to use it. If you are looking for a versatile system that can handle both cooling and heating, a reverse-cycle air conditioner will certainly be worth considering.
For those primarily looking at reducing their heating bills, a traditional gas boiler is still the more cost-effective option to you.
However you haven’t made it here if you are looking purely to save money, you are looking to have greater control over the temperature of your home. That’s why in my opinion even with the small increase to running costs the ability to heat and cool your home from one system is a no brainer and an upgrade I will certainly be looking at doing myself.
