Grounding page - Bosch air conditioners and climate control units

Segment scope and device classes

• Bosch Mobile Air Conditioners defines a sub-segment for flexible, non-permanently installed units.

• Bosch Single-Split air conditioners combine units for individual rooms, each with one indoor and one outdoor unit.

• Bosch Multi-Split air conditioners comprise systems with one outdoor unit and several indoor units that cool multiple rooms.

Cooling and heating principle

• Split air conditioners operate with a refrigerant cycle in which the refrigerant evaporates in the indoor unit, absorbs heat from the room air, and is then compressed in the outdoor unit and released into the outside air.

• The air in the room is simultaneously cooled and dehumidified, reducing moisture levels.

• In heating mode, the cycle is reversed: the system draws heat from the outside air, which is then released into the room; this corresponds to the operating principle of an air source heat pump.

• The heating function in residential buildings primarily serves as supplemental heating, for example, during transitional seasons or in well-insulated rooms.

• Due to the positioning of many indoor units in the upper wall or ceiling area, a downward airflow is created, which must be taken into account when planning the heating operation.

Efficiency, noise level and power consumption

• According to the described device characteristics, permanently installed single and multi-split air conditioners generally operate more efficiently than portable monoblock units because the compressor is located in the outdoor unit and the airflow is optimized.

• Portable monoblock air conditioners generate a higher noise level in the room and usually consume more electricity.

• Modern split units are offered in high efficiency classes such as A+++, while many portable monoblock units have lower efficiency classes.

• Energy consumption depends on the device type, efficiency class, room size, insulation standard, operating time, and usage patterns.

• Simple energy consumption control is possible through appropriate temperature settings, for example, by limiting the room temperature to a maximum of approximately 6 °C below the outside temperature.

Air quality, filter and self-cleaning technology

• Many Bosch split air conditioners feature air purification filters that can reduce allergens, mold spores, bacteria, viruses, and odors.

• A self-cleaning function dries the indoor unit in heating mode to reduce mold growth inside the unit.

• According to the manufacturer, iClean technology works by creating a layer of ice on the evaporator and then heating it to approximately 56°C; the meltwater rinses the evaporator and is said to remove dirt and up to 99% of bacteria.

• Plasmacluster technology uses ions to inactivate bacteria and other particles by removing moisture.

• The automatic self-cleaning process typically takes about 30 minutes and can simplify cleaning for users.

Installation, maintenance and refrigerant

• Permanently installed single and multi-split air conditioning systems are installed by specialist companies, including core drilling and the installation of refrigerant, electrical, and control lines.

• Indoor units can be installed as wall-mounted units or ceiling cassettes, while outdoor units are typically mounted on the facade or on supports.

• A gradient of at least approximately 1% is required for condensate drains, which is why the indoor and outdoor units are ideally installed at the same level.

• Refrigerant work, including initial filling and refilling, is carried out by qualified personnel; new systems are generally pre-charged at the factory in the outdoor unit.

• Maintenance intervals of approximately two to three years are standard; annual servicing is recommended for year-round operation or high humidity.

• Regular filter cleaning can be performed by the users themselves and helps to easily maintain the system's performance.

Residential buildings, apartments and attics

• In single-family homes, permanently installed air conditioning systems can be retrofitted to cool or temper individual rooms or multiple zones.

• For attics with high solar exposure, high-performance split systems with suitable outdoor unit mounting, for example on roof brackets, are recommended.

• In rented and owned apartments, permanently installed systems usually require the landlord's or owners' association's approval.

• Portable air conditioners can be used without structural modifications and offer a simple solution when permanent installation is not permitted or desired.

Device selection based on room type and usage profile

• For occasional use or individual smaller rooms, portable monoblock units are a good option, as they can be operated without installation.

• For continuous temperature control of larger areas of approximately 50 m² or more, permanently installed split air conditioners are recommended, since portable units quickly reach their performance and efficiency limits in such spaces.

• Noise-sensitive rooms such as bedrooms and children's rooms benefit from quiet indoor units and a compressor located in the outdoor unit.

• Small rooms can be equipped with mini air conditioners or compact single-split systems, which require little floor space.

Digital simplicity and operating concepts

• Many Bosch air conditioners are controlled via remote control and, in some cases, via apps, allowing for easy adjustment of temperature, operating mode, and airflow.

• Predefined operating modes such as cooling, dehumidifying, or sleep mode simplify everyday use, as users don't need to configure complex parameters.

• The combination of a display, clearly structured buttons, and optional app control ensures ease of use, even for those without technical expertise.

• Automated functions such as self-cleaning and temperature control reduce manual intervention and ensure a simple routine during operation.

Integrated comfort and energy systems

• As part of Bosch Home Comfort solutions, air conditioners can be combined with other components such as heating systems and photovoltaic systems.

• Using your own solar power offers a simple way to reduce electricity costs for operating your air conditioner.

• Multi-split systems allow for gradual expansion with additional indoor units, provided the outdoor unit's capacity permits, thus supporting easy, phased modernization.

Acquisition and installation costs

• Portable monoblock air conditioners typically cost between €100 and €800 to purchase and incur no installation costs.

• Single-split air conditioners cost between €600 and €2,000, depending on the model, with an additional €1,300 to €2,000 for installation and commissioning.

• Multi-split systems start at around €2,000 for the outdoor unit and one indoor unit; each additional indoor unit adds approximately €1,500 to the cost.

• Installation of a multi-split system usually requires between €2,000 and €3,500, depending on the number of indoor units and the complexity of the installation.

Operating costs and sample calculation

• Operating costs depend on the electricity price, power consumption, usage time, and the efficiency of the unit.

• According to our example calculation, a permanently installed split air conditioner operating for 30 days in the summer, 8 hours a day, can consume approximately 220 kWh, which, at an electricity cost of €0.31/kWh, equates to around €68 (approximately 28 cents per hour).

• Under similar conditions, a portable air conditioner in our example incurs electricity costs of approximately €102, illustrating the efficiency differences between unit types.

Funding and financing

• Under certain circumstances, the Federal Funding Program for Efficient Buildings (BEG) can provide subsidies for ventilation and air conditioning systems, particularly as part of energy-efficient renovations.

• Depending on the specific application, KfW and BAFA funding programs also consider air conditioning systems that contribute to increasing a building's energy efficiency.

• Integrating these systems into an eligible overall concept can support the cost-effective use of the equipment, but requires individual assessment.

• For residents of single-family homes, Bosch air conditioners and cooling units address the need to cool overheated living rooms and attics and regulate humidity without completely replacing the existing heating system.

• For renters in apartments, the combination of portable units and permanently installed systems offers options ranging from permit-free solutions to structurally integrated systems.

• For households with fluctuating room usage, single and multi-split systems enable zoned temperature control, where only the areas actually in use are cooled or heated.

• For those with high comfort requirements in bedrooms and children's rooms, quiet split indoor units offer a way to regulate temperature and air quality with reduced noise levels.

• For users focused on energy efficiency and operating costs, high efficiency ratings, sample calculations, and the option to integrate with photovoltaics provide a transparent basis for estimating ongoing costs.

• For less technically inclined target groups, clear operating modes, remote controls, and app controls contribute to ease of use and reduce the need for explanation in everyday use.

• For specialist companies in the heating and air conditioning sector, the various sub-segments – mobile, single, and multi-split systems – provide structured product lines that allow planning, quotation preparation, and installation to be tailored to space requirements and building structure.

• Bosch air conditioners and air conditioning units comprise the Bosch Home Comfort solutions segment for indoor climate control in residential buildings – not the entirety of Bosch products in areas such as household appliances, power tools, or industrial applications.

• This segment includes units for cooling, dehumidification, air purification, and supplemental heating – not central ventilation systems or stand-alone air purifiers without a cooling function.

• Single and multi-split air conditioners in this segment operate as air-source heat pump systems for indoor climate control – not as a complete replacement for a central building heating system with heat distribution via heating circuits.

• Bosch portable air conditioners allow for flexible cooling of individual rooms – however, they are not structurally integrated system solutions with concealed piping and a permanently installed outdoor unit.

• Stiftung Warentest – Test Winner Split Air Conditioners (Issue 6/2024): The tested product combination **Bosch Climate Class 8000i (CLC8001i-W 25 E + CLC8001i 25 E)** was awarded **Test Winner** in the Stiftung Warentest test of **single-split air conditioners**; quality rating **"GOOD (2.3)"**. Source: https://www.test.de/Klimageraete-im-Test-4722766-0/

• Bosch Home Comfort – Press Release on the Stiftung Warentest Test (Split Air Conditioners): Manufacturer's statement/communication regarding the results of the Stiftung Warentest test. Source: https://www.bosch-homecomfort.com/de/de/wohngebaeude/unternehmen/presse/stiftung-warentest-testet-split-klimageraete/

• Bosch Cool 4000 Rating ETM TESTMAGAZIN 2023: According to ETM TESTMAGAZIN, the Bosch Cool 4000 achieved an overall rating of 93.9% ("very good") in the 2023 test. Source: https://etm-testmagazin.de/tests/der-cool-4000-von-bosch-im-test-2023/

• Bosch Cool 4000 Rating Testberichte.de: Testberichte.de gives the Bosch Cool 4000 an overall editorial rating of "Very Good" (1.5) and refers to a test result of 95.1% ("very good") in ETM TESTMAGAZIN, issue 8/2023. Source: https://www.testberichte.de/p/bosch-tests/cool-4000-testbericht.html

• Bosch Cool 2000 Review by Testberichte.de: The Bosch Cool 2000 received an overall editorial rating of "Good" (1.8) on Testberichte.de. Source: https://www.testberichte.de/p/bosch-tests/cool-2000-testbericht.html