Summer comfort: Uniclima reminds us of the fundamentals of air-to-air heat pumps

Air conditioning carries a negative image in France, while heat pumps are the order of the day. However, a fixed air conditioner is nothing more than an air-to-air heat pump that ensures thermal comfort all year round, providing heating in winter and cooling in summer. It is integrated into the building, sized, installed, and maintained by a professional, a guarantee of quality.

This solution boasts very high levels of energy efficiency and is perfectly in line with the objective of decarbonizing our territory, its operation being based on an energy mix of renewable energy (free energy present in abundance in the air) and electricity (decarbonized energy). European regulations now require air/air heat pumps to have a minimum seasonal efficiency of 3,4 in heating to be placed on the market. But the observed Scop is generally close to 5, that is to say that for 1 kWh of electricity consumed, the heat pump transfers 5 kWh of heat. In summer comfort mode, this efficiency is even greater.

The Syndicat des énergies renouvelables[1] estimates the installed base at more than 4,5 million air/air heat pumps in 2023 (residential and tertiary). Regarding energy consumption for summer comfort, in its report "Energy Futures 2050[2]", the electricity network manager RTE explains: "In 2050, one summer in three could be marked by a heatwave comparable to that of 2003. These effects on temperature result in an increase in electricity consumption for air conditioning, largely offset, over the year, by the decrease in consumption for heating."

The advantages of air/air heat pumps in residential areas

The air/air heat pump is popular and has been developing in residential applications for 15 years for its energy performance and all-season comfort, even if the main use remains heating.

A study conducted in 2019 on a fleet of 25.000 connected residential air/air heat pumps showed that these devices operated for only 45% of the year, including 33% for heating and 11% for cooling (1% for ventilation only).

The advantages of air/air heat pumps in the tertiary sector

For the same reasons, air-to-air heat pumps are also developing in the tertiary sector, where summer/winter comfort needs are more balanced. Since the 2003 heatwave, there has been a recognized public health issue in protecting the most vulnerable people from heat waves in buildings such as hospitals, nursing homes, etc. Alongside passive solutions (solar protection, insulation, etc.), air-to-air heat pumps have contributed to this protection.

With climate change and the expected succession of heat waves, if they become more frequent and more intense, the question now arises of how to manage these periods in other types of buildings, such as schools for example?

Responsible and reasoned use

Penalized in France by a poor image and unequal treatment (public aid, VAT), the air/air heat pump nevertheless remains a heat pump like any other, just as efficient, with the same winter and summer comfort capabilities.

Air-to-air heat pumps are concretely among the tools that can be usefully and quickly mobilized to limit the impact of heat waves on the health of the French. Contrary to what can be observed in other countries around the world, French users remain largely in favor of reasonable and responsible use of the summer comfort function, just as they have learned to use heating sparingly in winter.

Summer comfort: these preconceived ideas that persist

What energy mix in summer?

Unlike the energy context of many countries, air conditioning in France relies on a low-carbon electricity mix of more than 91% (and even 95% in 2024)[3]. Cooling of premises in summer occurs when French electricity production is the most decarbonized thanks to nuclear and renewable energies (hydroelectric, wind and photovoltaic electricity). The report "Energy Futures 2050" confirms this. Even with an increase in the use of air conditioning in summer and during heatwaves, the maximum electrical power demand linked to air conditioning will remain lower than that linked to heating in winter, even though the latter is expected to decrease sharply.

What is the impact of refrigerant emissions?

An air/air heat pump is a closed-circuit system which, when properly installed and maintained, does not emit refrigerant into the atmosphere.

In Europe in general, and in France in particular, the use and handling of refrigerants have been strictly regulated for many years.

A very strict European regulation, called F-Gas, is regularly revised and sets the tone for the climate engineering market, aiming to gradually eliminate refrigerants with high Global Warming Potential (GWP), with total elimination by 2050.

Furthermore, French regulations require regular maintenance of a heat pump by duly qualified professionals. This maintenance includes, among other things, checking that the circuit is properly sealed.

How are sales developing?

Let us recall that Uniclima measures sales from manufacturers to the professional distribution channel, which itself sells the equipment to installers in a local network.

In the current economic climate, sales of air-to-air heat pumps under 17,5 kW are suffering from the decline in energy renovations. They fell by 12% in 2024 to 800.399 units. At the end of May 2025, the latest available statistics, the trend showed a further decline of 15% over the first five months of the year. Given the timeframe for data collection, a possible rebound linked to the current heatwave could not be confirmed until September 2025.

[1] In its latest Panorama of Renewable Heat published at the end of 2024 (covering the year 2023).

[2] RTE Report Energy Futures 2050 Main Results, pages 44 and 45.

[3] RTE 2025 01 20 key figures for French electricity production 2024

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.