2023-09-30 10:03:39
Air conditioning, an economical and useful investment, even after summer?
By Coralie Lambret Everyone knows air conditioning as a great device to keep you cooler in summer. But in reality, these installations have many other advantages, notably economic and comfort. A professional refrigeration engineer explains to us.
It’s still very hot this Sunday, June 25. Outside temperatures are around 30 degrees, and in some interiors, the heat is unbearable. Many are flocking to mobile air coolers, which can be found in traditional DIY stores, such as Brico or Hubo.
But so-called “split” air conditioning has also been on the rise in recent weeks. These models are composed of one or more indoor units and an outdoor unit. Many customers call on professionals to equip their living rooms with these very comfortable installations on these hot days. “For a good month, I would say that I have been getting around 20-25 quotes per week, in addition to installations and repairs,” confides Thibault De Ceuninck, independent refrigeration specialist, “most often, it is for the stay and the rooms, to benefit from a cool and breathable interior at night. But this air conditioning/heat pump system is, according to professionals, a real good investment in the long term, and for all seasons.
An economical alternative to soaring prices
This winter, energy prices have completely skyrocketed. Gas heating has become a real luxury, which has caused great financial harm to many families. The price of electricity has also increased significantly at the level of variable contracts. And as far as fuel oil is concerned, it has also practically doubled. It is therefore difficult today to choose the most economical option.
Depending on the insulation of the house, the surface to be heated, the outside temperatures… air-air heat pump systems cannot compete with everything. But this winter, their low electricity consumption proved to be very competitive with other means of heating your interior. “It’s like everything, you shouldn’t hesitate to compare”, expresses Thibault, “The efficiency of the installation will depend on many factors, such as use, model, brand, energy performance…”.
To make a comparison, generally speaking, a heat pump consumes three to four times less than a system of electric radiators, “even in the worst conditions”, says the refrigeration engineer. The installation price is obviously higher, but in the long term, the heat pump allows you to make significant savings.
An option to adapt to new laws
By 2025, the installation of oil boilers will be prohibited for new constructions in Wallonia. In Flanders, this has already been the case since January 1, 2023. There will therefore only be the option of gas and electricity left to heat your home. At the same time, a new law on photovoltaic panels is coming, and it will no longer be advantageous to release surplus production onto the network. “Today, three quarters of my customers have a solar panel installation and they invest in an air conditioning or air-water heat pump system, because it is beneficial for them and they will not lose their excess production of electricity,” says Thibault.
The ecological aspect of air conditioning is often questioned, and sometimes appears to be incompatible with green energies, such as solar energy. But the components used have evolved and now, the refrigerant contained for cooling use is much less polluting. “And if the installation is properly maintained, refrigerant leaks can be completely avoided, and this therefore poses no risk to the environment,” continues the refrigeration engineer. But except in the event of a leak, heat pump systems do not release any pollutants into the atmosphere, “It only consumes electricity”.
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