Given that it takes approximately 2kilowatt of power to generate 2kilowatt of heat, an electric heater is around 100% efficient, surely you can’t get more efficient than that, right?
Wrong.
If you think an electric heater will keep you warmer for less than an air conditioner in heating mode, you’re sadly mistaken. To supply 2kW of heat, a reverse cycle air conditioner only needs 0.6kw of electrical power. The reason for this is because the aircon’s heat pump extracts a lot of FREE heat from the air.
This ambient heat warms the normally chilled liquid refrigerant and converts it into a gas, after which the force of the compressor causes it to get even hotter. The condenser then transfers the heat from the gas into the expelled air … and voila, warm air at literally a third of the cost of an electric heater!
> Heat the air instantaneously
> No lost energy, so no power wastage
> Circulates already heated air, using less power
> Thermostatically controlled (switches off at the desired temperature) so no more discomfort
> Does not use an exposed element or open flame, so no risk of damage or loss of life
> Can be set to switch on or off when needed
> Does not need to run all day to warm the living space
> Filters the air while circulating
> Removes harmful bacteria and dust from the environment