ᐅ Is a multi-split air conditioning system suitable for heating?

Does anyone here use a multi-split system for heating, for example as an alternative in older buildings when insulation or renovation is no longer worthwhile?

I’m not familiar with the various split systems, but I’ve come across them often as an alternative to conventional heating when insulation and renovation hardly make sense anymore for the current residents.

I would have concerns about noise, drafts, and the resulting dust circulation since it is an air-to-air heat pump after all.

A photovoltaic system would at least be available for the transitional period from spring to autumn.

Of course, you can use an air conditioner to heat an older building; that's essentially what they are primarily designed for. To block out noise, you might as well stuff crumpled cash into your ears. You get used to the draft—it’s warm anyway and will have to flow continuously in an older building, so after a while, you hardly notice it anymore. </sc>

@kati1337 what kind of post is this? Well ....

lesmue79 schrieb:

A photovoltaic system would at least be available for the transition period from spring to autumn.

Do you uninstall the photovoltaic system in winter?

In my opinion, heating with an air conditioner (aka heat pump, which is basically the same) only makes sense with a large-scale photovoltaic system that produces enough surplus energy….

Check out Andreas Schmitz on YouTube; he has equipped his older house with air conditioners and explains questions like yours in another video.

Advantages:
- lower initial costs (compared to a heat pump)
- heating individual rooms is possible
- effective air conditioning in summer
- no major renovations necessary

Disadvantages:
- hardly cost-effective without photovoltaic
- several outdoor units around the house
- if the focus is on heating, indoor units should be installed closer to floor level
- maintenance required for multiple units

barfly666 schrieb:

@kati1337 what kind of post is this? Well….

You don’t seriously believe that wasn’t a troll post from the original poster, do you?
Since I’ve known about flat earthers, not much surprises me anymore, but this can’t have been meant seriously.
Especially the repeated emphasis that it’s an old building where insulation is supposedly no longer worthwhile makes me seriously doubt the thread’s sincerity.

@kati1337 I could imagine that you might be mistaken there.

I can definitely think of some scenarios.
Indoor units of air conditioning systems basically act as "efficient radiators" due to the high airflow.
In summer, when cooling, most people aren't bothered by the "draft" from them.

Whether it actually makes sense depends on how the rooms are used,
how they are currently heated, and what you are willing to invest.

RotorMotor schrieb:

@kati1337 I could imagine that you might be mistaken here.

I can certainly picture some scenarios.
Indoor units of air conditioning systems are essentially "efficient heaters" due to the high air flow.
In summer, when cooling, most people don’t mind the "breeze" coming from them.

Whether it actually makes sense depends on how the rooms are used,
how they are currently heated, and what investment is planned.

I can hardly imagine that.
When we moved in here in 2020, we had problems with the new heating system that didn’t work for a week. We used our split air conditioning system to heat our KFW55(!) house just enough to get by. We really only ran it a little when the rooms got too cold, and we have only 3 split units, which was anything but cheap or economical.
For an uninsulated older building, I can’t imagine any economical scenario there. But I will read along with interest.