Most AC units are reversible these days, so they can also be used to heat your home in the winter, with energy use efficiencies unattainable by other means such as regular electric heating or fossil fuels. A good heatpump can heat for 5x as much energy as you put in. So you get 1000W of heat for every 200W you use. Besides, depending on your country’s energy mix, it’s probably also a lot less pollution and irritating gases sent in the atmosphere. It’s an investment, sure, but one that would eventually pay off.