Many people have been able to realize their dream of owning their own home – often at great expense. However, there is still a lot more to get out of many buildings than you initially think. For example, you can use your own solar system to ensure a self-sufficient power supply, climate-neutral heating and even cooling in summer. In this article, we look at how the solar system can be combined with an air conditioner and why this purchase is a good idea.
Tip: Would you like to know why air conditioning in the office or in the bedroom can be a sensible purchase? Then take a look at the Kaltebringer blogs, here you will find numerous articles that get to the heart of the most important things.
Basics of the solar system
Solar systems on private buildings have increased in recent years - numerous households have decided to equip the roofs with the unobtrusive panels. In March 2022, around 2.2 million solar systems were installed on roofs and properties in Germany. These generated a nominal output of 58,400 megawatts, and the trend is rising. Since the summers are getting hotter and hotter in Europe too, the PV output will also increase more and more.
How a solar system works is easy to explain: the solar cells are made of a semiconductor, usually silicon. When solar radiation hits this cell, electrons are released, direct current is created. This is then converted into alternating current using an inverter, which can be used to feed into the public grid or for your own consumption. It is then also possible to store it in your own power storage unit.
Important: A single solar cell only produces about 0.5W of power. Therefore, the cells are connected in series to produce enough energy. Many solar cells form the well-known solar panels.
With a typical 6 kWp (= kilowatt peak = peak output) on a single-family house, around 5,400 kWh of electricity can be produced per year. A roof area of about 40 square meters is required for such a system, at best with a south orientation. The optimal angle of inclination is 30-35 degrees, so the sun shines at a 90-degree angle on the panel at midday.
These were the most important basics for solar systems for the private sector - today there are already countless specialist companies in your area who are very familiar with the installation and maintenance of the systems. In the following paragraphs we will look at why the combination of solar system and air conditioning makes so much sense.
On the Kältebringer website you will find many more application examples and detailed product descriptions for all of our split air conditioning systems!
Combination of air conditioning & solar system: why this is a good idea
In Germany, the summers are getting hotter and hotter, which is why air conditioning has become an important part of many houses. The most popular in Germany is the split air conditioning system, which consists of an indoor and an outdoor unit. It impresses with efficient cooling and quiet operation, and unlike other systems, it also supplies the room with fresh air on a permanent basis. A split air conditioning system like the one from Kaltbringer can also be used as an air-to-air heat pump in the colder months of the year, which saves massive heating costs, especially in the transitional period. So in this paragraph we look at why the combination of air conditioning and solar heating is such a good idea.
Reduce electricity costs of an air conditioner
Many people shy away from installing an air conditioner because of the high cost of running the system. With regular electricity tariffs, the maintenance of several systems can quickly become expensive, especially in the particularly hot system. It is important to know, however, that modern systems such as the Kältebringer split air conditioning system are very efficient and make up to 6 kWh of cooling capacity from 1 kWh of electricity supplied - so the electricity costs are not as expensive as many people assume, even with regular tariffs .
Nevertheless, you can save a lot of money with your own photovoltaic system, because your own solar power costs only about a third of the regular electricity price. When the sun is particularly strong and it is particularly hot outside, the solar system usually produces more electricity than the household can use. However, it is precisely then that the need for cooling in the house is greatest, which means that the air conditioning system has to work the hardest. The generated energy and the demand of the air conditioning system cover each other exactly.
So before you hand over the electricity to the public grid for low feed-in tariffs, you can also simply use it to cool your building at times when electricity production is highest. This has many positive effects, for example on your regeneration, your sleep or how fit you are after a long day at work.
A practical side effect: by using the power for your air conditioning system at peak times, you also relieve the strain on the power grid at the time.
Inverter with energy manager for your air conditioner
There are a few basic consumers in your household that need electricity throughout the day - these include, for example, the refrigerator or a heater in the basement. You should install an inverter with a built-in energy manager so that the air conditioning system is really only operated when there is sufficient solar power left. This will prevent you from accidentally running the air conditioner on expensive mains electricity.
A smart WiFi control is installed in all Kaltbringer air conditioning systems, which makes operation via any smartphone possible. In addition, the Kältebringer split air conditioning systems automatically adapt to the outside temperature and ensure that the temperature difference and energy consumption do not become too high - you will find all further information on our website!
Conclusion – combine solar system and air conditioning
When correctly dimensioning your solar system, you can plan for an air conditioning system - because the production and demand of the two systems almost coincide when it has the highest temperatures outside. In addition, a split air conditioning system only requires a small initial investment and is impressive thanks to its long service life and reliable operation. You can also read about the numerous health benefits of air conditioning in your home on our website in the advice section.
If your solar system is producing excess electricity, then you might want to consider investing in air conditioning for your home!
