Installing ducted heating involves setting up a central unit that distributes either warm or cool air throughout your home using ducts located in the ceiling or beneath the floor. Each room receives air through strategically positioned vents, while a wall-mounted controller manages the temperature, providing comprehensive climate control for your entire house. In Melbourne, many homeowners prefer electric reverse cycle ducted heating, a system that efficiently provides heating in winter and cooling in summer using the same vents. Alternatively, gas ducted heating remains an option, and this guide presents an in-depth comparison of both systems.
This guide thoroughly explains the installation process for ducted heating, covering crucial elements such as sizing, zoning, ductwork, the outdoor unit, and what to anticipate on installation day. We will also examine the operating costs associated with gas systems, the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) rebate applicable to the shift to electric systems, and important questions to ask any installer before making a decision.
- According to the Australian Government’s energy.gov.au, reverse cycle air conditioners have efficiency ratings ranging from 300% to 600%.
- Energy.gov.au also notes that ducted reverse cycle systems operate more economically when compared to gas heating systems.
- Most installations can typically be completed in a single day, although larger homes or complex duct configurations may require a second day.
- The VEU rebate is applicable when replacing an old gas heater with a qualifying reverse cycle system.
What Types of Ducted Heating Systems Can You Choose for Your Home?
In Melbourne, homeowners have access to two primary types of ducted heating systems, along with an option to incorporate cooling into an existing gas system.
- Electric Reverse Cycle Ducted Heating and Cooling. This system consists of both an outdoor and an indoor unit, working together to heat or cool your entire home through a single set of vents. This is the most commonly installed system, with more information available on our ducted reverse cycle air conditioning page.
- Gas Ducted Heating. A gas furnace generates warm air, which is circulated through the ducts by a fan. While gas ducted heating installations still take place, many homeowners in Melbourne are now opting to move away from gas instead of installing new gas heaters.
- Add-on Cooling for Existing Gas Heaters. If your gas ducted heater is relatively modern, an add-on cooling system can be integrated, utilising the same ducts and controller to provide cooling.
If your gas heater is ageing, requiring frequent repairs or leading to high operating costs, consider upgrading to an electric reverse cycle ducted system. This option offers both heating and cooling in one installation. Our detailed guide on replacing gas ducted heating with electric heating provides further insights on making this transition.
How Does Reverse Cycle Ducted Heating Work?
Reverse cycle ducted heating operates by transferring heat instead of generating it. The Australian Government’s energy.gov.au heating and cooling guide explains that reverse cycle air conditioners can convert one unit of electrical energy into three to six times more heating or cooling energy, achieving efficiency ratings between 300% and 600%. In contrast, an electric bar heater converts one unit of electricity into one unit of heat.
During winter, the outdoor unit extracts heat from the surrounding air and transports it indoors through refrigerant pipes. The indoor unit, located in the roof space or under the floor, distributes this warm air via the ducts to each vent. The process reverses in summer, enabling the system to cool your home effectively. For a comprehensive explanation of how a refrigerated reverse cycle system functions, please refer to our article outlining each component.
How Is Ducted Heating Properly Sized for Your Home?
Correct sizing is crucial to ensure that a ducted heating system operates efficiently during Melbourne’s chilly mornings. An undersized system struggles to warm distant rooms, while an oversized system results in unnecessary costs. Energy.gov.au recommends selecting a model with the appropriate capacity for your home and consulting experts before making substantial purchases like ducted heating and cooling.
During our home assessment, we assess the number of rooms and vents, the duct routing (whether through the ceiling or beneath the floor), whether your home is single or multi-storey, and the intended use of each room. Providing house plans can help us determine duct runs before our visit. For comprehensive guidance on sizing a ducted heating system tailored to your Melbourne home, refer to our sizing guide.
Is Zoning an Important Feature for Your New Ducted Heating System?
Zoning functionality allows you to control which rooms receive heating. For example, you may prefer to keep bedrooms unheated during the day and living areas unheated at night, instead of heating the entire house simultaneously. If your previous gas ducted heater lacked zoning, it is advisable to install a zoned system during the new installation, as it simplifies the configuration process.
Thermostat settings are also significant. Energy.gov.au states that increasing heating by each degree in winter can raise your energy consumption by 5% to 10%. Most systems we install are controllable via mobile applications, enabling you to activate the heating before returning home from work, ensuring a warm environment upon your arrival without the need for continuous operation throughout the day.
What Changes Are Made to Ductwork and Vents During Installation?
New ducting is installed with every system installation. Existing ducting from an old gas heater often does not accommodate a reverse cycle system and is typically filled with dust from years of use. The new ducting is correctly sized for both heating and cooling, connecting to the same outlet points in your ceiling or floor, resulting in new vents and grilles rather than patched openings from the previous system.
For ceiling installations, we access the roof space by removing tiles or sheets, dismantling the old unit and ducts, and fitting the new system and ductwork in their place. Approximately one-third of the homes we encounter have floor ducting, where the indoor unit is installed in the subfloor, necessitating careful handling due to limited access.
What Is the Best Location for the Outdoor Unit?
A reverse cycle ducted system includes both an outdoor and an indoor unit, connected through pipes that transport refrigerant. The outdoor unit is placed outside the house. We discuss its location with you during the in-home assessment, and if your property presents challenges, we identify the most suitable site before the installation day.
What Is the Typical Duration for Ducted Heating Installation?
Most ducted heating installations are completed within a single day. Larger homes or more complex duct layouts may extend the installation to a second day. We confirm the expected duration during our assessment, ensuring you are informed about what to expect before work begins.
On installation day, our team removes the old heater, installs the new ducting and vents, sets up both the indoor and outdoor units, and connects the controller. As licensed mechanical plumbers, we can also cap the gas line of the old heater during the installation, eliminating the need for a separate tradesperson. If you continue to use gas for hot water or cooking, those connections remain intact. Before we conclude our visit, we ensure that the new system operates correctly and provide instructions on how to use the controls.
For detailed information on what to expect on installation day, refer to our article outlining the heating and cooling installation process.
How Do the Operating Costs of Ducted Reverse Cycle Heating Compare to Gas Ducted Heating?
According to Energy.gov.au, the operating costs for ducted gas heating can be significant due to high gas consumption and the electricity needed for the fans. In comparison, ducted reverse cycle systems are generally seen as more economical than gas heating. Ducted systems are typically less efficient than wall-mounted units, mainly because of larger fans and energy loss through ductwork, making proper sizing and duct design critical.
Your running costs will depend on your home’s size, insulation quality, zoning usage, and whether you have solar panels installed. A reverse cycle system can utilise your solar power during daylight hours, a benefit not available with gas heating. Our comparison of ducted gas and reverse cycle heating for Melbourne homes offers an extensive analysis of running cost figures.
How Does the VEU Rebate Affect the Transition from Gas Ducted Heating?
The Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) programme incentivises households that switch from gas heating to an efficient electric system. The rebate applies when an existing gas heating appliance is removed and replaced with a qualifying premium inverter reverse cycle system. Generally, if a home has never had gas heating, the rebate will not be applicable.
We manage all VEU paperwork during the installation process, and the rebate is deducted from your payment at the point of sale, so you do not need to fill out forms or wait for a refund. Our article on the VEU rebate clarifies the eligibility criteria and coverage details.
What Critical Questions Should You Ask Before Accepting a Ducted Heating Installation Quote?
Comparing ducted heating quotes can be complex, as one quote may include elements that another omits. Use these questions to evaluate quotes effectively:
- Is the quoted price comprehensive, with the VEU rebate already factored in?
- Does the quote include new ducting and vents, or does it suggest reusing existing ducts?
- Was the system sized based on an in-home assessment or merely through a phone consultation?
- Is zoning included, and how many zones does the quote cover?
- Who will be responsible for removing the old gas heater and capping the gas line?
- Will the installation be performed by the installer’s own team or subcontracted out?
- What workmanship guarantee is offered with the installation?
Choose Beyond Heating and Cooling for Reliable Ducted Heating Installation in Melbourne’s Northern Suburbs
Beyond Heating and Cooling provides expert installation of ducted heating and cooling systems throughout Melbourne’s northern and northeastern suburbs. Our team comprises qualified refrigeration mechanics and mechanical plumbers who specialise in both refrigerant and gas systems. We hold an ARC refrigerant handling licence (L073783), and all installations are performed by our licensed team, not subcontractors. We offer a strong workmanship guarantee for our services.
Every quote begins with a complimentary in-home assessment. We evaluate your current heating system, ducts, and home layout, discuss the most suitable system options, and provide a quote that incorporates the VEU rebate where applicable. We collaborate with a wide array of leading heating and cooling brands to recommend the best system tailored to your needs.
If you are considering the installation of new ducted heating, contact us at 1800 239 663 or request a quote online. Adam or another team member will be delighted to assist you in exploring your home’s options. You can also view our full range of ducted heating and cooling installations.
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