More and more households are switching from gas heating to heating with an AC. No wonder: a modern AC delivers up to 5 kWh of heat per kWh of electricity, while a high-efficiency boiler tops out at 1.07. This article explains exactly how AC heating works, how much you can save, and when it's the right choice for your home.
How does heating with an AC work?
An AC extracts heat from outdoor air — even in frost down to -15°C — and pumps it inside. That sounds odd, but it works on the same principle as a fridge, just in reverse. The "engine" is the compressor, which pressurises the refrigerant and uses that to transport heat.
For every 1 kWh of electricity you use, a modern AC delivers 3 to 5 kWh of heat. We call this efficiency the SCOP (Seasonal Coefficient of Performance). An AC with SCOP 5.0 is therefore 5× more efficient than an electric heater and nearly 5× more efficient than a gas boiler.
Example: terraced home
An average terraced home (label C, 110 m²) uses about 1,000 m³ of gas per year for heating. Compare with an AC installation:
| Heating | Use per year | Price per unit | Annual cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas boiler | 1,000 m³ | €1.50 | €1,500 |
| Heating with AC | 2,200 kWh | €0.25 | €550 |
Saving: €950 per year. This is an average — for well-insulated homes the saving can reach €1,200 per year.
When does heating with AC pay off?
Not every home is equally suitable. Heating with AC works best in:
- Energy label B or better: the AC can often be your only heat source.
- Open floor plan: warm air spreads better.
- Alongside gas: for older homes (label C–E), supplementary heating next to your boiler is ideal.
- Places where central heating falls short: attic, extension, garage or office.
What about cold winter days?
A common concern: does an AC work when it's really cold? The answer is yes. Modern systems keep running down to about -15°C. Efficiency (SCOP) drops slightly in severe frost, but the AC continues to deliver heat. For the very coldest days you can use your gas boiler as backup — that applies to both AC-only and hybrid setups.
How much does an AC for heating cost?
A single-split installation (one outdoor + one indoor unit) starts at €1,699 including assembly. Want to heat multiple rooms? With a multi-split you can connect up to 5 indoor units to one outdoor unit, from €3,200.
On the AC cost page you'll find a detailed overview of purchase, running and payback. An average investment pays for itself in 2 to 3 years compared to gas heating.
Do I get a subsidy for heating with AC?
Unfortunately an air-to-air heat pump (the technical name for an AC that heats) does not qualify for the national ISDE subsidy. That scheme only applies to air-to-water heat pumps. Some municipalities offer local schemes — check with your municipality or via energiesubsidiewijzer.nl.
Conclusion
Heating with AC is one of the fastest ways to significantly reduce your heating bill. The investment is lower than a full air-to-water heat pump, payback is shorter (2–3 years) and you get summer cooling as a bonus. For homes with label B or better, an AC can even be your only heat source.
Want a tailored saving calculation for your situation? Request a free quote and we'll prepare a personal savings analysis.