When winter arrives in Ifrane, Fez, Oujda, Taza or Driouch, many households discover that their AC can also heat. A reversible air conditioner (or heat and cool AC) cools in summer and provides heating in winter with the same unit. But how does heating with an air conditioner in winter work, does it stay efficient when it gets really cold, and how should you set it to stay warm without blowing up your bill? Here is the Brico MIM guide to the reversible air conditioner in Morocco.
Contents
- How does a reversible air conditioner heat?
- Ifrane, Fez, Oujda, Driouch: how efficient is it in your region?
- Which heat and cool air conditioner should you choose?
- The right settings in heating mode
- Insulation: the winning combination with a reversible AC
- Getting your AC ready for winter
- Frequently asked questions
How does a reversible air conditioner heat?
A reversible air conditioner is an air-to-air heat pump. In summer, it captures heat from the room and releases it outside. In winter, a valve reverses the cycle: the outdoor unit captures the heat present in the outside air (even when it is chilly) and the indoor unit releases it into the room as warm air.
The advantage: electricity is mainly used to move heat, not to produce it. In moderate winter conditions, a reversible AC generally delivers more heat than the electricity it consumes, which makes it more economical than a standard electric heater for the same comfort. Another benefit: no combustion in the room, so no flame and no carbon monoxide, unlike gas space heaters (on this subject, read our tips on gas safety and carbon monoxide).
Why efficiency drops when it is very cold
The colder the outside air, the less heat it contains to recover: heating output and efficiency decrease. In cold, damp weather, the outdoor unit can also frost up; the unit then automatically starts a defrost cycle lasting a few minutes, during which the indoor unit stops blowing. This is normal. Each unit has a heating operating range set by the manufacturer: in very cold regions, check it with us before buying.
Ifrane, Fez, Oujda, Driouch: how efficient is it in your region?
Winters in Morocco vary greatly from one region to another. Here is how to gauge the role of a reversible air conditioner in your home (general guidelines):
| Region | Typical winter | Role of the reversible AC |
|---|---|---|
| Ifrane, Azrou, Midelt (Middle Atlas) | Severe cold, frequent frost and snow | Very useful in the shoulder seasons and during the day; plan for serious insulation and backup heating for the coldest nights |
| Fez, Meknes, Taza, Oujda | Cool days, cold nights | Can provide most of the heating for living areas, with well-chosen capacity |
| Driouch, Nador, Al Hoceima | Fairly mild but damp winter, houses that hold the cold | Very well suited: heats quickly and relieves the feeling of cold dampness |
| Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, Agadir | Mild winter | More than enough for a few hours of heating a day |
Brico MIM tip: if you are buying an AC mainly for heating (Ifrane, Fez, Oujda), let us know. A poorly insulated house or a top-floor room often needs the next capacity up from what you would choose for summer. Send us the floor area, ceiling height, floor level and your city on WhatsApp.
Which heat and cool air conditioner should you choose?
Not all air conditioners heat: only models labelled “heat/cool” or “reversible” on their product page do. At Brico MIM, the Thomson Inverter range is listed as heat and cool, with displayed prices:
| Model | Features | For which room (guideline) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thomson Inverter 9000 BTU | Inverter, reversible, filtration | Bedroom, small office | 3,450 DH |
| Thomson Inverter 12000 BTU | Inverter, heat and cool, remote control | Master bedroom, small living room | 3,650 DH |
| Thomson Inverter 18000 BTU | Inverter, heat and cool, wall-mounted split, class A++ | Living room, lounge | 5,100 DH |
| Thomson Inverter 24000 BTU | Inverter, heat and cool | Large living room, office, shop | 6,650 DH |
Up-to-date prices on the product pages. Carrier air conditioners (wall-mounted, ducted, cassette, console) are sold on quotation; their product pages do not specify heating mode, so if you want to heat with one, ask us to confirm the reversible version before ordering.
For heating, Inverter technology is a real plus: the unit ramps up to warm the room, then slows down to maintain a stable temperature instead of switching on and off. More details in Inverter or On/Off air conditioner.
The right settings in heating mode
- Choose the right mode: HEAT (or the sun symbol) on the remote control. In AUTO mode, the unit can switch between heating and cooling.
- A reasonable set point: around 19 to 21 °C in living areas, a little less in bedrooms at night. Setting 30 °C does not heat faster: the unit simply runs at full power for longer.
- Point the louvres downwards: warm air rises naturally; blown towards the floor, it better heats the area where you live.
- Fan on automatic: the unit adjusts the speed itself and avoids lukewarm drafts at start-up.
- Avoid repeated on/off: with an Inverter, lowering the set point by 2 or 3 degrees during a short absence is often more efficient than switching everything off.
- Use the timer: schedule the heating to start a little before you wake up or get home.
- Be patient at start-up: most units wait until the indoor heat exchanger is warm before blowing, so as not to send out cold air.
Insulation: the winning combination with a reversible AC
A heat and cool AC warms the air; if the heat escapes straight away, the unit works harder and the bill goes up. A few simple steps make a big difference, especially in the concrete and tiled houses so common in Morocco:
- Windows: seals in good condition, double glazing if you are renovating, thick curtains drawn as soon as night falls.
- Sun: during the day, open the curtains on the sunny side to enjoy free heat.
- Doors: close unheated rooms and fit a door draught stopper.
- Floor: a rug on tiles reduces the feeling of cold feet.
- Flat roof terrace: on the top floor, roof insulation is often the first job to consider for comfort in both winter and summer.
- Short airing: air the room for 5 to 10 minutes with windows wide open, rather than leaving a window ajar all day.
More tips to cut your bill in our article Reducing your electricity bill in Morocco.
Getting your AC ready for winter
- Clean the filters of the indoor unit: after a summer of use, they are often clogged, and a dirty filter reduces the flow of warm air.
- Clear the outdoor unit: leaves, bags, objects placed in front of it. In snowy regions like Ifrane, it must stay raised and free of snow.
- Check the drainage: in heating mode, it is the outdoor unit that produces water, especially during defrosting. The water must be able to drain away without forming a sheet of ice on a walkway.
- Have the unit checked by a refrigeration technician if the heating seems weak: work on the refrigerant circuit is never a DIY job.
Detailed steps are in our guide Air conditioner maintenance: cleaning filters and troubleshooting.
Frequently asked questions
Does a reversible air conditioner heat when it is 0 °C outside?
Generally yes, but with reduced output and efficiency, and more frequent defrost cycles. The minimum outdoor operating temperature depends on the model: ask us for it if you are installing in a very cold area.
Why does my AC stop blowing for a few minutes in winter?
Most often it is a defrost cycle of the outdoor unit, or the pre-heating wait at start-up. If the stop lasts a long time or repeats abnormally, have the unit checked.
Is heating with an AC more expensive than with a heater?
For the same comfort, a correctly sized reversible Inverter AC is generally more economical than a standard electric heater, because it recovers heat from the outside air. Actual consumption depends on the set point, insulation and the outdoor cold.
Do all Inverter air conditioners heat?
No. Inverter refers to the compressor technology, not to heating mode. Rely on the “heat/cool” or “reversible” label, as on the Thomson Inverter models, or ask us.
Do you deliver everywhere in Morocco?
Yes, Brico MIM delivers to every city in Morocco, with cash on delivery.
Stay warm this winter with a reversible AC
Tell us your city and the area to heat: we will recommend the right heat and cool model.
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