Ask Lumos is a series from Lumos PV, answering the questions we get asked most about solar, batteries and home energy. Based in Worton Park, Oxfordshire, we work with homeowners, businesses and community organisations across Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds. In this blog, we’ll be looking at air conditioning and air-to-air heat pumps. Head to our Resources section to read our other blogs on solar PV systems and home battery storage.
The summer of 2026 was the UK’s hottest on record, according to the Met Office, with five widespread heatwaves, and 40 days of temperatures above 30C. If you found yourself dreaming of air conditioning, we have some good news!
We are pleased to be partnering with GJ Cooling Solutions, a local, REFCOM-certified firm run by Gary Jacobs. Based in Lambourn, Gary installs and maintains air conditioning systems across Oxfordshire, Berkshire and the Cotswolds, for residential and commercial properties.
Is air conditioning just for summer?
The short answer is no. The systems Gary installs are air-to-air heat pumps, and heating is actually where they do their best work. Rather than generating heat the way a conventional heater does, an air-to-air heat pump moves heat between the outdoor air and your rooms. In summer, heat is pulled out of your space. In the winter, the process runs in reverse, drawing warmth in from the outside air, even on a cold day.
Is it expensive to run?
Generally speaking, no, and it often works out cheaper than the type of heating you already have. For every 1kW of electricity used, a modern air-to-air heat pump typically delivers 3 to 4kW of heat. In comparison, an electric radiator typically converts electricity to heat at roughly 1kQ in, 1kW out.
Over a full winter, the efficiency adds up to a considerably lower bill, for the same amount of warmth. Exact savings would be dependent on your property and current setup, but if you are currently using electric heating, it would be worth a conversation.
Where can it be installed?
In both homes and businesses! While a lot of us have been dreaming of air con at home to help combat the heat, it is becoming increasingly common to install in offices, shops, warehouses and other commercial premises. Units can be fitted to heat or cool single rooms, or zoned across a whole property, meaning the setup can be sized to suit a two-bed house or a multi-room office.
What are the benefits?
- Year-round comfort from a single system, rather than separate heating and cooling
- Lower running costs than electricity, thanks to the efficiency of the heat pump technology
- Suitable for homes and commercial premises
- REFCOM certified installation and ongoing maintenance from GJ Cooling Solutions
Can it be installed alongside solar and battery storage?
Absolutely! On a sunny day, your panels can power the system for free, cooling your home or business during the exact hours the aircon would be working hardest. Add a battery, and you can store that solar energy to keep the system running efficiently into the evening, once the sun has gone down but the heat is still lingering. The same applies in the winter, but the amount of energy generated will be lower. On bright days, a heat pump running from your panels or from stored battery power still costs less to run than one drawing entirely from the grid.
A system that pays its way all year
It is easy to think of air conditioning as something you only need for a handful of very hot weeks each summer. In practice, an air-to-air heat pump works for you through the year – cooling your space in the summer, and heating it efficiently in the winter. For homeowners or businesses already considering solar or battery storage, it is a natural addition that makes use of the same clean energy you are generating on site.
Want to find out whether it is right for your home or business? Get in touch with our team, and we can talk you through your options.
