Air conditioning is usually associated with cooling your home during hot summer days. However, more and more homeowners in the Netherlands are also using air conditioners in winter — to heat their homes and lower their energy bills.
Modern air conditioning systems can work all year round and, in many cases, are an energy-efficient addition to traditional gas heating.
In this article, we explain:
- whether air conditioning can heat your home in winter,
- how the heating function works,
- whether air conditioning is worth it,
- how much electricity it uses,
- and how you can finance air conditioning in the Netherlands.
Can air conditioning heat your home in winter?
Yes. Many modern air conditioners include a heating function and can also be used during winter.
The system works similarly to an air-to-air heat pump. Instead of generating heat like a traditional gas boiler, the unit takes energy from the outside air and transfers it into your home.
This means the air conditioner can:
- cool rooms in summer,
- heat them in winter,
- and help maintain a stable indoor temperature throughout the year.
In the Netherlands, this solution is becoming increasingly popular — especially with rising gas and energy prices.
Is heating with air conditioning worth it?
In many cases, yes.
Modern air conditioners are much more energy-efficient than older heating systems. For many homeowners, this can mean:
- lower gas bills,
- reduced energy consumption,
- improved comfort,
- and a better energy label for the property.
In practice, the overall benefit depends on:
- the insulation level of the home,
- the type of air conditioner,
- the size of the rooms,
- and how the system is used.
Air conditioning systems usually perform best in well-insulated homes.
Can you use air conditioning all year round?
Yes. If you have a modern air conditioner with a heating function, the system can be used both in summer and winter.
Many people use air conditioning for:
- cooling bedrooms during hot weather,
- heating specific rooms in winter,
- maintaining a stable indoor climate,
- and improving comfort while working from home.
However, it is important to remember that the efficiency of an air conditioner may decrease during extremely low outdoor temperatures.
How much electricity does an air conditioner use?
It depends on the model, usage, and energy efficiency of the system.
Modern air conditioners are designed to use as little electricity as possible while maintaining high performance.
In many cases, running costs can be lower than traditional gas heating — especially when the system works together with:
- solar panels,
- good insulation,
- or other energy-efficient solutions.
Does air conditioning increase property value?
Increasingly, yes.
Buyers today pay more attention to:
- living comfort,
- energy efficiency,
- lower monthly costs,
- and modern home solutions.
A properly installed air conditioning system can:
- increase the attractiveness of a property,
- improve its energy label,
- and positively affect its future resale value.
Can you finance air conditioning without savings?
In many cases, yes.
More and more homeowners in the Netherlands finance air conditioning through:
- a bouwdepot,
- increasing their mortgage,
- using their home equity (overwaarde),
- or a renovation loan.
This means you do not always need to pay the full amount from your own savings.
At Domek, we help you check:
- which financing options are available,
- how much you can borrow for home improvements,
- and which solution best fits your situation.
Complete support for internationals in the Netherlands
At Domek, we help internationals in the Netherlands arrange mortgages, renovation financing, and home improvement solutions. No one covers it all like we do.
With more than 15 years of experience and a team of 100+ specialists, we help clients:
- understand their financial options,
- compare offers,
- arrange a bouwdepot,
- and go through the entire process stress-free.
We also assist with:
- mortgages,
- refinancing,
- insurance,
- and property-related formalities.
Call us at +3188 1021 500, email info@domek.nl, or fill in the contact form on Domek.nl.
