When winter hits in the UK, most of us automatically turn to radiators, fan heaters, or big gas bills! But what if we let you in on a secret… Staying warm doesn’t have to be expensive and if you’re searching for the cheapest way to stay warm in UK winters then Air Conditioning is the secret hack! Yes, the same unit that cools you down in summer can also keep you warm all winter. In this guide, we explain how AC heating works, why it’s so efficient, and how you can stay warm for less.
Why Air Conditioning Is One of the Most Efficient Ways to Stay Warm in Winter?
Most of us still think of air conditioning as “just for summer,” but modern systems are actually powerful heaters too. In fact, they are one of the cheapest ways to heat a UK home, especially as gas and electric prices continue to rise.
Unlike boilers/electric heaters that burn fuel to create heat, air conditioning systems use advanced heat pump technology to move heat from outdoors to indoors. This uses less energy and delivers a much higher heat output for every unit of electricity used.
Looking for a way to stay warm this winter without huge bills? Air conditioning may be your solution. 👉🏼 Get in Touch!
✘ Traditional Heating Systems
Gas Boilers:
- COP 0.85–0.95
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Meaning: You get less heat than the energy you’ve paid for.
Electric Heaters (Fan heaters, oil radiators, panel heaters):
- COP 1.0
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Meaning: Every £1 of electricity gives you only £1 of heat.
Storage Heaters:
- Can be cheap off-peak, but extremely expensive if used at the wrong time.
VS
✔ Air Conditioning (Heat Pump Systems)
Modern air conditioning systems work as heat pumps, meaning they don’t create heat, they transfer heat from outside to inside.
- Efficiency (COP): 3.0 to 4.0
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For every 1 kW of electricity consumed, you get 3-4 kW of heating output.
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Equivalent to:
Spend £1 → Receive £3–£4 worth of heat
This makes air conditioning one of the most efficient heating options available in the UK.
*COP (Coefficient of Performance) simply tells you how much heat you get for each unit of electricity so a higher COP means lower bills.
Is Air Conditioning Cheaper to Run Than Central Heating?
Short answer: Yes, in most cases air conditioning is significantly the cheaper heating method because it uses far less energy to generate heat. 👉🏼 Get a FREE survey today!
Real world example – Heating a medium sized bedroom for 1 hour:
- Gas radiator: ~24p
- Electric Heater: ~40-80p
- Air Conditioning Heat Pump: ~7-12p
This is why more and more homeowners in Hertfordshire, Essex and London are choosing Air Conditioning.
Why Air Conditioning Heating Works Especially Well in UK Homes
Our homes can get chilly over winter with central heating taking a while to warm up. AC Heat pumps solve can help by:
✔ Heating the room you’re actually in – No need to heat the whole house.
✔ Heats within 60 seconds – Faster than any radiator.
✔ Great for working from home – Keep your office warm without heating unused rooms.
✔ Cleaner, healthier air – Built in filters remove allergens and dust that radiators can’t.
What About Summer? Your AC Does Both!
Unlike boilers (heating only), modern AC systems provide:
- Heating
- Cooling
- Dehumidification
- Air filtration
- Improved airflow
One investment = year round comfort.
This is why more UK homes are installing AC in winter instead of summer.
✔ Free survey
✔ Free quote
✔ 10-year warranty
✔ Expert installation
We cover Hertfordshire, Essex, London, Cambridgeshire & more. Get your AC installed this winter to get ahead of the game for the next heatwave!
FAQ: Heating Your Home With Air Conditioning in UK Winters
Yes. Modern air conditioning systems (heat pumps) are often cheaper to run than gas boilers, even though electricity costs more per unit.
Because heat pumps produce 3-4 kW of heat for every 1 kW of electricity used, the true cost per kWh of heat is usually 7p-9p, compared to gas heating at 24p per hour for the same room.
Heat pumps are designed to heat the rooms you use most quickly and efficiently. Many homeowners install AC units in bedrooms, living rooms, loft conversions, home offices and extensions. This gives you targeted warmth without paying to heat the whole house.
Absolutely. Heat pumps use renewable heat from the outdoor air and drastically reduce carbon emissions compared with gas boilers. They also future proof your home as the UK moves towards low carbon heating.
Within 30-60 seconds! Heat pumps warm a room far faster than radiators, which is why they’re ideal for winter mornings, cold bedrooms, quick evening heating or working from home.
No. Modern heat pumps maintain comfortable humidity levels and actually improve indoor air quality through built in filtration.
Yes! all modern heat pumps are dual function. You get heating, cooling, dehumidification, air filtration and more. A great all year round investment.
Yes. When installed by certified specialists like Evergreen Air Conditioning, premium brands offer up to 10-year manufacturer backed warranties.
