We have a working gas boiler at home, but several air-conditioning units have also been installed in the flat: which is the cheaper option for heating? Is it better to switch on the air conditioning in the autumn? Can you save enough by using the air conditioning for heating to make it worth replacing the gas boiler altogether?
When comparing air conditioning with gas heating, there are several factors worth considering. A gas boiler converts only part of the energy in natural gas into useful heat, and the climate nor is it a simple electric heater: It operates as a heat pump, meaning it can generate several units of heat from a single unit of electrical energy.
Added to this is the Hungarian tariff system. It does make a difference whether the household falls within the discounted gas consumption limit, or whether the air conditioning is running on the discounted H tariff.
That is why To answer the question regarding air conditioning or gas, it is necessary to calculate how much it costs to generate one kilowatt-hour of useful heat in the building in question, and what level of investment is required to do so.
Air conditioning or gas: how can you compare heating costs fairly?
In the case of a gas boiler, the system’s efficiency must be taken into account. In a properly designed and operated heating system, a modern condensing boiler can utilise natural gas efficiently, whilst an older boiler and system may result in greater heat losses.
The climate works on a completely different principle. An inverter air-conditioning unit used for heating is, in fact, an air-to-air heat pump: it extracts heat from the outside air and transfers it into the building. Thanks to this, It can generate 3–5 kWh of heat from 1 kWh of electricity. The COP indicates the performance available at any given moment, whilst the SCOP reflects the efficiency typical of the entire heating season.
Put simply, a SCOP of 4 means that, over the course of a full heating season, the system releases, on average, about four times as much heat energy as it consumes in electricity.
Actual energy consumption is, of course, influenced by a number of factors. These include the outside temperature, the desired indoor temperature, the size of the unit, the building’s heat loss, and the way it is used. It is not yet possible to calculate an annual electricity bill based on the SCOP values listed in the catalogue.
If you’d like to know more about what to look out for, it’s worth reading the „Heating with air conditioning? Make sure you avoid these mistakes” our article entitled ….
Air conditioning vs gas heating: what should you bear in mind in 2026?
Given the cost of energy for households in Hungary, there is another important factor to take into account: it does matter how much gas and electricity we use in a year. In 2026, residential customers will be able to purchase 63,645 MJ, or 1,729 m³, of natural gas per consumption point per year at a reduced rate. The discount period runs from 1 August of one year to 31 July of the following year. A higher price applies to consumption in excess of this allowance.
For electricity, the discounted allowance is 2,523 kWh per metering point per year; consumption in excess of this is charged at the retail market rate.
And that’s where the H tariff comes in
In the case of air conditioning units suitable for heating, the H tariff can significantly alter the calculation. The H tariff is available between 15 October and 15 April, on a separately metered circuit. The detailed technical and administrative requirements are set out in the „Tariff H terms and conditions for heat pumps – what does the electricity supplier require?” We present this in our article entitled […].
How much does one kilowatt-hour of useful heat cost when using air conditioning and gas?
Let’s look at a simplified example!
Let us assume that we estimate the seasonal efficiency of our air-conditioning system to be a SCOP value of 4. In this case, to generate 10,000 kWh of heat, theoretically it would take approximately:
**10,000 ÷ 4 = 2,500 kWh of electricity is required.**
If the same air-conditioning unit achieves a seasonal efficiency rating of just 3.5, it will consume around 2,857 kWh of electricity. With a rating of 4.5, however, roughly 2,222 kWh will suffice.
| Assumed SCOP | Electricity required to generate 10,000 kWh of heat |
|---|---|
| 3,5 | approx. 2,857 kWh |
| 4,0 | 2,500 kWh |
| 4,5 | approx. 2,222 kWh |
With a gas boiler, the calculation is done differently. You need to start with the energy content of natural gas and then take into account the actual efficiency of the heating system.
If you’d like to compare other technologies as well, the „How much does heating cost using different heating methods?” In our article entitled […], we look at the costs of various heating solutions.
What do energy prices for 2026 indicate?
With regard to the specific forint amounts, it is important to note that the discounted end-user price of electricity may vary from one distribution area to another. The A1 residential price, which applies above the discounted threshold, is currently 70.104 Ft/kWh gross. The price of the H tariff also depends on the distribution area.
In the case of natural gas, too, consumption within the preferential allowance and consumption exceeding it must be treated separately. The retail price for consumption above the allowance is currently 22.002 Ft/MJ gross.
For this reason, the question „Which is cheaper: air conditioning or gas?” can yield different answers in three situations in particular:
| Situation | What should be compared? |
|---|---|
| Gas and standard A1 air conditioning are also available at a discounted rate | Discounted gas prices vs. discounted electricity prices and the efficiency of appliances |
| Gas consumption exceeds the discount limit | Gas costs in excess of the budget vs. the cost of heating with air conditioning |
| The air conditioning runs on the H tariff | Tariff H and the seasonal efficiency of air conditioning vs. gas heating |
When is it particularly cost-effective to use air conditioning for heating instead of gas?
Air-conditioning-based heating is economical in a well-insulated building with low heating requirements, provided the unit is correctly sized and has a high seasonal efficiency.
The heating allowance may still be of interest even if a household’s gas consumption regularly exceeds the qualifying limit. In such cases, the aim is not necessarily to replace the entire gas boiler with an air-conditioning system; simply covering part of the heating requirement with air conditioning can already make a difference to annual energy costs.
When is it not necessarily worth replacing your gas heating system?
For example, if we have a modern condensing boiler, our gas consumption falls within the discount threshold, and the system is working properly, then the payback period for replacing the existing system could be very long: the cost of purchasing and installing air conditioning units must also be taken into account.
The design of the building is also a key factor. A small number of rooms, typically those with a single room layout, are easier to heat using air conditioning, whilst In a flat comprising many small rooms, several indoor units may be required.
A poorly insulated building with high heating requirements also requires a different design, as a modern property. It is therefore not enough simply to consider how many square metres we wish to heat.
And there is another question that is often overlooked: what will be used to produce the domestic hot water?
If a combi gas boiler has been providing hot water up to now, a separate solution will be required once the boiler is taken out of service. This could be, for example, an electric water heater or a heat pump water heater, but the capital and running costs must also be included in the calculation.
In other words, we are not asking the same question when we consider „what is the cheapest way to heat my home today?” as when we ask „is it worth getting rid of my existing gas heating system?”
You don’t have to choose: air conditioning and gas heating can work together
The choice between the two systems does not necessarily have to be treated as an „either/or” question. In many cases, it is precisely the combination of the two that is the most practical solution.
In autumn and spring, for example, the outside temperature is relatively high. At such times, a suitably sized inverter air-conditioning unit can heat a room efficiently; what’s more, it can quickly warm up the room you are currently using. In colder weather, gas heating can provide the main source of heat, whilst the air-conditioning unit can be used as a supplementary heating source.
As well as running costs, let’s compare comfort levels too
Air-conditioning and gas-fired central heating do not provide the same level of comfort, so it is not advisable to base the decision solely on the forint per kWh.
| Criterion | Air-conditioned heating | Gas boiler + central heating |
|---|---|---|
| Preheating | Fast | Depends on the system |
| Heat dissipation | By blowing in warm air | With a radiator |
| Air movement | It may be noticeable | Usually smaller |
| Noise | The indoor unit can be heard operating | The living area is generally quiet |
| Room-by-room control | Simple with separate indoor units | It depends on the system design |
| Summer cooling | This can be achieved using the same equipment | No |
| Domestic hot water | It does not produce | This can be achieved with a combi boiler |
One of the major advantages of air conditioning is that it reacts quickly: when we get home to a chilly flat, it can provide noticeable warmth in no time. A radiator system reacts more slowly, but provides a different sensation of warmth.
Air conditioning or gas? Here are 5 questions you should ask before making a decision
If you’re trying to decide whether it’s worth switching to air-conditioning for heating – either partially or entirely – instead of gas in your own home, it’s always best to start by looking at your current system.
- What was the actual gas consumption over the past few years?
- Will we stay within the discounted gas allowance?
- What is the condition of the current boiler and heating system?
- Can the H tariff be set up?
- Do we want to phase out gas completely?
Air conditioning vs gas heating: so which is the best option for heating?
Under the right conditions, air-conditioning-based heating can be an economical alternative to or a supplement for gas heating. It can be a particularly attractive option with a modern, high-efficiency air-conditioning system, under the H tariff, or if the household’s gas consumption would otherwise exceed the discount threshold.
In order to reach a decision, it is necessary to consider the building’s heating requirements, current consumption, the condition of the boiler and the heating system, the expected seasonal efficiency of the air-conditioning system, the applicable electricity tariff, the number of appliances required and the total cost of the investment.
Frequently asked questions about comparing air conditioning and gas heating
Is it cheaper to heat with air conditioning than with gas?
It may be cheaper, but this is not a general rule. The cost of heating with an air-conditioning system is determined by the unit’s seasonal efficiency, the outside temperature and the electricity tariff applied. With gas heating, as well as the price of gas, the efficiency of the boiler and the entire system also matters. Due to the preferential consumption limits, the annual consumption of the household in question is also a key factor.
Is it worth replacing a gas boiler with an air-conditioning system?
This can only be determined by considering the investment and operation as a whole. The number of air conditioning units and their installation costs, any necessary network expansion, the structure of the H tariff, and how domestic hot water will be produced must all be taken into account.
How much energy does an air-conditioner use when heating?
Energy consumption depends on the efficiency of the air conditioning system, the external and internal temperatures, the building’s heat loss and its usage. A unit with a seasonal efficiency rating of 4 theoretically requires around 2,500 kWh of electricity to produce 10,000 kWh of heat, but actual consumption may vary from this.
Is it possible to heat your home using only the air conditioning all winter?
With the right equipment and correct sizing, yes, but not all air-conditioning systems and not all buildings are suitable for this. You need to take into account the unit’s heating capacity at low outdoor temperatures, the building’s heating requirements, the layout of the rooms and the number of indoor units required.
Can the H tariff be claimed for air-conditioning heating?
Yes, for heat pump air-conditioning systems that meet the technical requirements. The H tariff requires a separate metered circuit, and the reduced rate is available during the heating season, between 15 October and 15 April. Eligibility and the suitability of the specific appliance must be checked in every case.