- By Alex David
- Sun, 02 Nov 2025 07:35 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Most people still think they need a separate room heater every winter. But what they don’t realise is this: their current split AC might already be a perfectly capable heater, sitting idle without being used to its full potential. Modern inverter ACs can reverse their cooling cycle and pump heat into your room at a fraction of the electricity cost of standard resistance heaters. And this is not a “hack” or a fringe trick — this is how heat pumps actually work. You could easily cut winter heating bills by 30 to 40 per cent using the AC you already own. How to check if your AC supports heating
If your AC remote has:
- A sun icon
- A “HEAT” mode
- A reverse cycle indicator
Then your AC can do this. Most split inverters sold in the last 5 to 7 years already support heat mode. Window ACs generally don’t.
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How to activate heat mode correctly
Press Mode on the remote until HEAT or the sun icon appears.
Recommended temperature range: 24–26°C.
Important: the AC will blow cold air for the first minute or two. That’s normal. The compressor needs time to reverse.
Pro tips:
- Seal doors and windows
- Keep swing mode ON for even warmth
- Avoid going above 27°C (wasteful, zero extra comfort)
Why AC heat is cheaper than fan heaters
Standard heaters burn electricity to “make” heat.
Heat pump ACs move existing heat that already exists outdoors.
Transferring heat is always cheaper than creating heat.
This is why inverter ACs can save 30–40% energy in winter.
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The bottom line
Before buying another ₹3,000 fan heater, see if you already own a heat pump. Most modern ACs have this mode built in. If your AC does, use it — it’s warmer, cleaner, safer and genuinely cheaper long-term.