Almost every split aircon is a heat pump: in winter it runs in reverse, collecting heat from the outside air and releasing it indoors. Because it moves heat rather than making it, it typically delivers about three units of heat for every unit of electricity — an electric bar, fan or oil heater delivers only one.
What that means for your bill
Heating a room with an inverter aircon usually costs a third or less of heating it with a plug-in electric heater of the same output. It also heats the whole room evenly instead of just the area in front of the heater.
Tips for winter
- Set 20–22 °C and point the louvres down — warm air rises.
- Expect a short pause in heating while the unit defrosts its outdoor coil on frosty mornings. That is normal.
- Keep the outdoor unit clear of leaves, and don’t cover it.
- Clean the filters before winter starts.
Is it cheaper to heat with an aircon or a heater?
An aircon. A heat-pump aircon typically produces around three times as much heat per unit of electricity as an oil, fan or bar heater, so the running cost is usually a third or less.
Does an aircon work in very cold weather?
Yes. Modern inverter units keep heating well below freezing, which covers Highveld winters. Heating output drops a little as it gets colder, so size up for very cold rooms.
Why is my aircon blowing cold air on Heat mode?
When heating starts, or during a defrost cycle, the fan waits until the coil is warm, so you may feel a brief cool breeze. If it keeps blowing cold, check that Heat (not Cool or Auto) is selected and that the filters are clean, then call a technician.