Air Conditioning vs Air Source Heat Pump — What's the Difference?
Split system air conditioning and air source heat pumps are often confused — and for good reason. Both use heat pump technology. But they serve different purposes, and choosing the right one for your home depends on what you're trying to achieve.
What they have in common
Both split system air conditioning units and air source heat pumps are heat pumps — they move heat from outside air into (or out of) your building, rather than burning fuel to generate heat. Both run on electricity and are significantly more efficient than electric radiators.
Split system air conditioning
A split system AC unit (the type PGAD installs) provides room-by-room climate control. It can cool in summer and heat in winter. The indoor unit blows conditioned air directly into the room; you control each room independently. Split systems are typically installed in individual rooms where comfort is most needed — bedrooms, living rooms, home offices. They don't replace your central heating system — they supplement it, or provide primary comfort in specific rooms.
Air source heat pump (ASHP)
An air source heat pump is designed to replace a gas boiler as the primary heat source for a whole home. It connects to your existing radiator or underfloor heating system and produces hot water for heating and domestic use. ASHPs are a larger installation, typically cost £8,000–£15,000+ (though the Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers a £7,500 government grant), and work best in well-insulated homes with larger radiators or underfloor heating.
Which is right for your home?
If you want to cool specific rooms in summer and add supplementary heating in winter — or if you're not ready to replace your boiler — split system air conditioning is the right choice. It's lower cost, quicker to install, and immediately effective. If you want to decarbonise your entire home heating system and move away from gas entirely, an air source heat pump is the route — but it requires more planning and typically whole-home improvements. PGAD installs split system air conditioning. For ASHP queries, we can point you in the right direction.
Common questions
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PGAD installs air conditioning across Birmingham, Walsall, Cannock, Sutton Coldfield, and the wider Midlands. F-Gas certified, highly competitive prices, quality workmanship.