Cool most definitely, for a more pleasant summer. But split systems can also be a valuable back-up in other situations. Let’s find out together.

When talking about home air conditioning systems, the mind immediately jumps to traditional split systems, solutions that have become increasingly efficient and versatile over time, but which have also managed to evolve significantly. While so-called “air conditioners” were initially limited to cooling rooms in the summer, and possibly helping to reduce humidity, in recent years these devices have also been used to heat environments. 

This is an excellent solution to use alongside the traditional boiler, to keep the house warm even when the radiators switch off, but also as an important alternative, especially in mid-season when the weather is not too cold. 

When was the first air conditioning system invented?

Whether they are fixed systems with an outdoor unit and split or portable solution, air conditioners have become indispensable for many households and businesses today.  But when was the first air conditioning system invented? And where? 

The very first prototype was designed in 1902 by American engineer Willis Haviland Carrier. Although very far removed from today’s models, especially in terms of size, the system consisted of a range of devices that facilitated the passage of refrigerant gases from the liquid state to the gaseous state in order to lower their temperature and consequently cool the surrounding environment. 

This system was first used in a Brooklyn printing company to protect the paper from excessive humidity.

The arrival in homes and the creation of split systems

While the Americans saw the first rudimentary models of air conditioners appearing in their homes some ten years after Carrier's invention, many other countries, such as Italy, had to wait until after World War II. The situation changed radically with the emergence of the first split systems for the residential sector, which date back to 1961 and were made by a well-known Japanese company. This same company, some 20 years later, would go on to manufacture the world’s first air conditioner. 

Today, with this technology, the desired room temperature can be achieved with optimised energy consumption.

Heating the house with split solutions

Thanks to heat pump technology, modern air conditioners are able to heat homes in an even more sustainable way. 

Compared to the boiler, which requires methane to operate and consequently contributes to the emission of harmful substances, air conditioning systems can only use renewable energy sources such as heat from the air. Of course, there are models that are better suited to this specific function than others. 

Here's an example

Clivet’s STELVIO MONOsplit air conditioner, with its cutting-edge technology that makes it one of the most efficient on the market, features an extremely wide operating range in both heating and cooling mode. The result is a perfect living comfort in all seasons, when it is very hot in the summer (up to 50°C) and when it is freezing in the winter (down to -30°C).

Featuring the innovative “Intelligent Eye” sensor, which allows the device to direct the split system’s airflow according to the presence of people in a room or reduce and stop operation if there is no movement, STELVIO also boasts a special probe for excellent humidity management and it can be controlled from a smartphone or a smart device such as Alexa and Google Assistant.

Scopri STELVIO

The energy rating of air conditioners

When choosing to buy an air conditioner, the most important factor to consider is its efficiency, which means lower energy consumption resulting in lower costs. 

As everyone knows by now, the indicator to be taken into account in this case is the energy rating, which ranges from A+++ (best performing models) to G (least performing models). To understand the efficiency of air conditioners even more, there are another two parameters that should be taken into account: the seasonal energy index for cooling (SEER) and the seasonal energy index for heating (SCOP). The higher these two indicators are, the more efficient the air conditioning system will be, both for cooling and heating rooms. 

Almost all split systems designed by Clivet, whether MONOsplit or MULTIsplit solutions, feature a minimum energy rating of A++ in cooling mode and A+ in heating mode.

The result is an extremely low energy consumption that means substantial savings for the user. The CRISTALLO 2 model is available in both MONOSplit and MULTISplit versions from 9,000 to 24,000 BTU; the 9,000 BTU size consumes an average of 730 kWh per year in heating mode, thanks to its A++ rating and a SCOP of 4.60 (in average climate conditions).

Excellent efficiency is also ensured by the CERVINO model, which is even more eco-friendly because it uses the R290 refrigerant gas. In the two MONOsplit versions from 9,000 to 12,000 BTU, the Clivet air conditioner respectively consumes 103 and 144 kWh per year in cooling mode and only 761 kWh in heating mode in average climate conditions (SCOP 4.60).

Scopri CERVINO

Easy installation and simple design

Other advantages of air conditioners with split systems include easy installation, maintenance and use. Although they always have to be installed by highly qualified personnel, their installation is extremely quick and does not require any major changes to the house or office. Not only that: most MONOSplit and MULTISplit solutions are designed to fit into small spaces. The indoor units provide the utmost versatility, often being able to be installed on walls and ceilings, and are increasingly compact, while the outdoor unit, with its larger size, can be installed in a convenient location outside the house or on a balcony. 

 What about aesthetics?

Some models, such as Clivet’s CRISTALLO 2 MONOSplit, are very aesthetically pleasing. It is no coincidence that the air conditioner features a special ALTO Design Panel with strong, elegant lines and a matt finish that ensures that it blends in perfectly with any type of environment.

and for domestic hot water?

By combining the AQUA F and AQUA PRO domestic hot water heat pumps with Clivet’s MONOSplit or MULTISplit system, such as the CERVINO model, a complete and yet very simple air conditioning system can be created, particularly suitable for those who wish to minimise their initial investment.

Find out more about AQUA