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South Coast Air Con

Air-to-air heat pumpsfor heating and coolingin Bournemouth homes

One system that warms your rooms efficiently in winter and cools them in summer. Potentially lower electricity use than direct electric heating, depending on the system and operating conditions.

Book My Free Survey 07815 604730

Overview

What an air-to-air heat pump is

An air-to-air heat pump is a split air conditioning system used for heating as well as cooling. In heating mode it extracts heat from the outside air, even on cold days, and delivers it into the room through the indoor unit. In summer the process reverses to cool the room.

It suits homeowners who want efficient heating in rooms the central heating struggles with, those replacing electric panel heaters or storage heaters, and anyone who wants both cooling and heating from one neat installation.

It's worth considering when a room is always cold in winter and hot in summer, such as a loft conversion, extension, garden room or conservatory. It can also take load off an ageing boiler by heating the rooms you use most.

Professional design matters because a heat pump must be sized for the room's winter heat loss as well as summer heat gain. Correct installation, pressure testing and commissioning ensure it delivers efficient heating on cold days rather than struggling.

What's at stake

The cost of inefficient heating

Many homes heat difficult rooms in the most expensive way possible. Here's what that usually looks like.

High electric heating bills

Plug-in heaters and panel heaters turn one unit of electricity into one unit of heat. A heat pump can deliver several units of heat for each unit of electricity.

Cold rooms nobody uses

Extensions, lofts and garden rooms often sit unused for months because they're too cold to be comfortable.

Two systems, double the hassle

Separate heaters and fans or portable coolers mean more clutter and more running costs.

Uneven comfort

Rooms far from the boiler or with poor radiators never feel warm while the rest of the house is too hot.

Common mistakes homeowners make

  • ✕Sizing a unit only for summer cooling and expecting it to heat well in winter.
  • ✕Placing the outdoor unit where it can't drain defrost water away.
  • ✕Assuming heat pumps don't work in UK winters: modern units heat efficiently in typical South Coast temperatures.
  • ✕Comparing running costs without considering efficiency (SCOP).

Our process

How the job runs, step by step.

  1. Step 1

    Survey

    We assess each room's heat loss and gain, and how you want to use it.

  2. Step 2

    Recommendation

    We recommend a system sized for both heating and cooling, with clear efficiency figures.

  3. Step 3

    Installation

    Indoor and outdoor units, pipework, cabling and drainage are fitted neatly.

  4. Step 4

    Commissioning

    The system is pressure tested, evacuated and tested in heating and cooling modes.

  5. Step 5

    Handover

    We show you how to set it for efficient heating and explain the manufacturer's warranty and any registration requirements.

Benefits

What you get from doing it properly.

Fast warm-up

Rooms heat quickly, without waiting for a whole central heating system.

Safe heat

No exposed hot surfaces, no fuel on site and no combustion in the room.

Long-lasting

A well-installed, serviced system lasts many years in both heating and cooling.

Lower running costs

Efficient heating compared with direct electric heaters, measured by SCOP.

All-year comfort

The same system heats in winter and cools in summer.

Peace of mind

One team surveys, fits and maintains your heat pump.

In detail

Air-to-air heat pumps explained

How they work

A heat pump moves heat rather than generating it. Refrigerant absorbs heat from outdoor air at the outdoor unit, the compressor raises its temperature, and the indoor unit releases that heat into the room. A reversing valve lets the same system run in cooling mode.

Heating efficiency is shown by SCOP (Seasonal Coefficient of Performance). A higher SCOP means more heat for every unit of electricity. In very cold, damp conditions the outdoor unit periodically defrosts itself, which is normal.

Equipment

Systems use inverter compressors, modern refrigerants such as R32, insulated copper pipework and indoor units that can be wall-mounted or floor-standing. Floor consoles can be particularly effective for heating, as warm air is delivered at low level.

Outdoor units are mounted on brackets or ground stands with room to drain defrost water and enough clearance for airflow.

Air-to-air vs air-to-water

Air-to-air heat pumps heat and cool rooms directly through indoor units. Air-to-water heat pumps heat water for radiators or underfloor heating and hot water, and don't usually provide cooling.

Our service covers air-to-air systems, ideal for heating and cooling individual rooms or several rooms with a multi-split.

Where they work best

Loft conversions, extensions, garden rooms, conservatories, home offices and living rooms that are cold in winter and warm in summer. Also homes currently relying on electric heaters for some rooms.

We install air-to-air heat pumps in homes across Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and the wider Dorset and Hampshire area. We work only in domestic properties.

Getting the best from heat pump heating

Heat pumps work best when they run steadily rather than being switched on and off at full blast. Setting a comfortable temperature and leaving the system to maintain it, or using a timer to bring the room up gently before you need it, is usually more efficient than heating from cold each time.

Keep doors to heated rooms closed where practical, make sure curtains don't block the indoor unit, and keep the outdoor unit clear of leaves and snow so it can breathe. If you see the outdoor unit steaming briefly on a cold, damp morning, that's normal defrost operation. Annual servicing keeps coils clean and performance high, which matters even more for a system that's working through the winter as well as the summer. We'll show you the best settings for your rooms at handover.

Where we work

We cover homes across Dorset and Hampshire, including Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole, Wareham, Swanage, Weymouth, Ferndown, Wimborne Minster, Ringwood, New Milton, Lymington and Dorchester. See air conditioning service areas, book a free air conditioning survey, or go back to the homepage.

Working with us

What to expect when you book air-to-air heat pumps.

South Coast Air Con Ltd operates as a two-person team specialising in domestic air conditioning. We offer free surveys and quotes for new installations, followed by installation and handover. Servicing and maintenance are available afterwards.

We arrange a time that suits you, seven days a week between 8am and 5pm, including weekends. That makes it easier to book a visit without taking time off work. Before we start, we'll walk you through what we're going to do, where we'll be working and how long it should take.

Our aim is careful workmanship suited to your home. During the survey, we discuss where equipment and pipework can go. Installation includes testing the system and explaining how to use it at handover.

Clear prices, simple payment

For new installations the site survey and quote are free, with no obligation to go ahead. We provide a written quote so you can review the proposed work and price. You can pay by bank transfer or by card through payment links from Tide or our accounting software.

Homes only, by choice

We only work in people's homes. That focus shapes everything: quiet unit choices for bedrooms, tidy pipe routes that respect how your house looks, outdoor positions that take your neighbours into account, and advice based on how families actually use their rooms.

Aftercare that continues

Air conditioning works best when it's looked after. Once your job is complete, servicing and maintenance are available. New equipment comes with the manufacturer's warranty, and we'll explain the terms for the equipment you choose.

Not sure where to start? Book a free site survey or contact us with your question.

FAQs

Air-to-Air Heat Pumps: common questions

How much does an air-to-air heat pump cost?+

Cost depends on room size, number of rooms and the system chosen. A free site survey gives you a written quote with no obligation.

How long does installation take?+

Timing depends on the system, access and work required. Contact us to discuss the likely duration before booking.

Do heat pumps work in winter?+

Yes. Modern air-to-air heat pumps heat efficiently in typical South Coast winter temperatures.

What warranty is included?+

New equipment comes with the manufacturer's warranty, explained at handover.

How long do heat pumps last?+

Lifespan varies with the equipment, installation, usage, maintenance and environment. No fixed lifespan is guaranteed.

Are you available for emergencies?+

We're not a 24-hour service. We're open 8am–5pm, seven days a week on 07815 604730.

Can it replace my boiler?+

Air-to-air systems heat rooms but don't provide hot water. Many homes use them alongside existing heating for the rooms used most.

Do you install heat pumps in Dorchester and Weymouth?+

Yes, along with Bournemouth, Poole and across Dorset and Hampshire.

All home air conditioning services

Glazed conservatory with a sofa and indoor plants

Warm in winter, cool in summer, one system.

Book a free survey and we'll size a heat pump for your rooms.

Book My Free Survey 07815 604730

Free survey · Manufacturer's warranty · Open 8am–5pm, 7 days